“Ria, I’ve talked to Marcus and your management already. They’re on board, seeing as this was part of the contract. They’ve shuffled things around for you. It’s taken care of. No need to worry.”
“Really?” she asks, like she doesn’t believe him.
“Zaria, I wouldn’t lie to you. Trust me!”
“Okay, Olly… so what does this promotion entail exactly?”
“Well, Recoil and you are heading off on a press junket around the country, then possibly to other countries, depending upon timeframes. Recoil will be doing small shows as well as daytime TV to coincide with your and Danger’s promotional interviews. You’re basically going on tour with the band, as a member of the band, Zaria.”
She smiles. “Iampretty damn mean on a triangle.”
“I’m so turned on that you chose a percussion instrument right now, babe. You have no idea.”
She laughs as Oliver groans. “Oh, Lord, give me strength. One thing, though. I’ve discussed this with Tillie as well. We think, for now and for the tour, that maybe you guys should keep your relationship under wraps. We want the chemistry they see in the film clip to seem as real as possible.”
“But the world knows about Danger and Lunar being together?”
“Yes, true, but trust me on this one, Nate. We don’t want your relationship to overshadow the song and promotion. Joining forces with the band, Zaria is a powerhouse, and we want that to be in the limelight, not your relationship…” He pauses. “You see where I’m coming from, right?”
I look at Ria, and she nods. It does make sense, and it would seem a waste to have gone through all this for the highlight to be focused on us, not the song and video like it’s meant to be.
Oliver is right.
Dammit.
“Okay, Oliver, you’re right. We’ll play it cool. No one will know,” I say.
Ria nods with a weak smile and a small sigh.
“After the song comes out, smashes the charts, and does what it needs to, then you guys can come out if you decide you want to. Just bide your time and be sensible about it for now. Okay?”
“Of course.”
“Right, well, we’ll be starting as soon as tomorrow. Grabbing a tour bus and traveling, so pack your shit, guys. We leave tomorrow morning.”
“On the road again…”
“Exactly! Right, I’m off. Have a good night.” He then ends the call abruptly.
Ria looks over at me and lets out a half-laugh. “Did that just happen?”
“Yeah, we get impromptu trips all the time with him. Guess we get more time together now.”
She smiles and nods. “We still would have had time together, Nate. Even when my time’s up with Recoil, I’m not going anywhere.”
I grin, reaching out for her hand. “Glad to hear that.”
Chapter Sixteen
ZARIA
We pull up at Recoil’s office building and hop out of Nate’s car, all packed after a great night’s sleep and ready to head off on the press junket. It’s a glorious day—the sun is shining brightly in the clear morning sky—and as I take in the sounds of the city surrounding me, Nate pulls out our luggage from the car.
“I’m impressed. I would’ve thought, for a diva, you’d pack a little, I dunno… heavier?”
“Not areal diva, remember?” I smirk, the playfulness in my tone matching the glint in his eyes.
“Ah, yes, of course.” He steps in and presses his lips to my forehead as another car pulls up behind Nate’s. Tillie and Ryan step out, and I wave before Ryan pulls their luggage from the trunk. It’s about the same amount we have, and Tillie walks over as Ryan fusses about.
