This is her world.
She turns.
Our eyes meet.
Her face lights up before she can stop it.
That does something to me.
She weaves through the crowd and reaches me, eyes bright. “You made it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I say.
She points lightly between us. “You’re all with me tonight, which means you’re on your best behavior.”
Dex presses a hand to his chest. “I don’t know what you’ve heard…”
She cuts him off with a grin. “After the show, I’ll bring you back to meet Raina. She’s a little in her head right now, so just hang by the stage until I come to get you.”
Mia’s eyes widen. “We get to meet her?”
“Yes,” Sloane says. “But only after. No distractions before curtain.”
Eli nods solemnly. “Understood. We're professionals. We get it.”
She nods then gestures toward the floor. “Your seats are right up front. Center section.”
I blink. “Front center?”
“Best sightlines,” she says simply. “Come on.”
She leads us down the aisle, and I feel every head turn as people start to recognize us. Phones pause mid-text. Whispers ripple. Luckily, no one says anything out loud.
When we sit, the stage is so close I can see the set list taped to the floor.
Mia presses a hand to her chest. “Oh my god. We’re basically in it.”
Dex leans forward. “If she smiles at me even once, I’m telling everyone we’re almost engaged.”
Gregory glances at Dex’s shirt. “With that outfit, she’ll definitely notice you. Laughing more likely than smiling.”
"I'll take that, too." Dex retorts.
Mia keeps craning toward the stage. “I feel like a proud aunt.”
“You’re not related,” Dex tells her.
“Emotionally, I am,” she fires back.
"I'm getting drinks. Dex and Bryce, let's go. What does everyone want?"
Of course, on the way, Dex buys merch within five minutes and puts it on over his shirt.
By the time we return, Mason starts chanting Raina’s name before the opening act finishes.
Someone goes live on Instagram.
I don’t know who.
