prologue
My phone vibratesin my pocket. Pulling it out, I take a quick glance at the screen. My brother’s face flashes across it. Nope. I’m not doing this right now. I watch as it rolls over to voicemail. Seconds later, a text flashes across my screen.
Pierce
Where are you? You’re supposed to be at this business dinner.
My fingers hover over the text area to reply. How do I tell him I don’t want a part in the family business? I mean, I’ve told everyone repeatedly, but they keep trying to reel me back in. For whatever reason, they can’t take no for an answer.
This isn’t worth my time right now. I told them I wasn’t going to be at the dinner. I have plans. Do those plans involve me hanging at the local bar? Absolutely. But I don’t owe an explanation to anyone.
A body knocks into me from the back and my phone flies out of my hand onto the crowded floor. Damn it. This isn’t what I need right now. I move forward to grab it before someone steps on it. As much as I love working at Whoopsie Daisy, I don’t get paid enough to buy a new phone if this one breaks.
Somebody gets to it before I do. Maybe I should wait to see what they are going to do. They’ll either be an awesome human and find who it belongs to. Or they’ll pocket it and hope they can get it unlocked.
A guy with shaggy brown hair steps in front of me, holding out my phone. “I think this may be yours.”
“How did you know?” I reach out to grab it, and our fingers touch for the briefest moment. A jolt of electricity runs through me. That’s never happened before.
He shrugs and pushes his hair away from his face. “I may have been the one who knocked it out of your hand.”
“Well, thanks for being a standup person.” I laugh to let him know I’m joking. “Can I, uh, buy you a drink?”
Never in my life have I been nervous talking to guys. What makes this one so different?
“Sure. I have a bit before I have to help clear off the stage.”
“Whoa, hold up.” I wave my hands between us. “Are you a part of Crooked Halo?”
The band plays here frequently since they are good friends with someone involved with Out of the Ashes, but I’ve never seen this man when they’ve played before. Maybe he’s new.
“Kind of.” He tilts his head to the side, like he’s confused with his own answer. “I work with the crew. We basically set things up and take them down for the band. I’ve been with them for a few years now.”
“Why is this the first time I’m seeing you?” I point at him as if there’s another person talking to me. “I’ve been here almost every time the band has played.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “What can I say? It’s one of the mysteries of being a part of the crew. We’re only seen when we want to be.”
“You act like you’re some kind of magician.”
Another shrug. “I can thank all my years in theatre. If I wasn’t on stage, I was in the tech crew, and we did a lot behind the scenes.”
“Interesting.” Theatre was never my thing in high school. “And why did you want to be seen tonight?”
“I wasn’t trying to be.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Bumping into you wasn’t part of the plan.”
“Well, I’m glad you did.” I turn toward the bar and nod for him to follow. He said he had a bit of time after all.
“Hey, what can I get for ya?” Eric, one of my favorite bartenders, asks.
“Can I get a salty dog?” I glance over at the man beside me. “What will you have?”
“Beer is fine. You know my usual.”
Eric nods and gets to work making our drinks.
“Well, I guess you really do come with the band if Eric knows your order.”
“I wasn’t lying.” He shakes his head. “By the way, what’s your name?”
