Damn. For a moment, I’m tempted to step back and say fuck it to the whole date idea. We can order room service and I’m sure we’ll have a good time.
But this is clearly something that’s important to the two of them. I can tuck my libido away for the next couple of hours, at least.
There’s another hired car waiting for us at the back entrance of our hotel and the two of them escort me to it. With Micah holding my door and Cal fixing my seatbelt for me, I feel like a damn princess.
Traffic’s pretty bad again as we travel through the darkening streets before the car pulls up outside a tiny witch-run restaurant I wouldn’t have noticed if I was walking past. The inside is tiny, with around ten tables, all lit with flickering candles. As soon as we step inside, the guys are greeted with big smiles and it’s clear they’ve been here before.
“This is our favorite place in the city. We used to always make a point of coming here whenever we kick off a tour,” Micah explains.
We take our seats and I can see why they like this place. The owners are attentive, but mostly they leave us alone. There’s no fawning and no requests for autographs and it doesn’t seem like they’re people who are likely to call the paps to get attention on their little business.
“Are you guys looking forward to kicking off the tour?” I ask, just as our food arrives. I ordered a chicken and sage dish with fresh pasta that has my mouth watering before I tuck in.
I feel this little zing of excitement whenever I think about the first gig. I’ve seen the band all practicing so many times, but I know it’ll be a whole other thing to see them in their element on stage in one of the arenas.
I also can’t wait to let my little gadgets fly and watch them do their thing. It’s been an insane amount of work, but part of me is so damn excited to see how the audience reacts and whether it’s everything Iri hoped for when he hired me.
My stomach flips over at the thought. I don’t want to let him down and although I wouldn’t admit it to him, part of me also wants to go one step further. I want to impress him.
The past month has felt like so much more than a job. I guess living together has blurred the lines and the feelings I have for the band are far from professional, growing stronger by the day.
“I’m excited for the gigs themselves,” Micah says, running a hand through his hair as he sips his drink. “Touring’s always intense. Being on the road is exhausting and we’re going to be eating, sleeping, and dreaming of the tour for the next couple of months.”
“Helps to have something to look forward to once it’s done, though,” Cal says.
His words cause my insides to churn. I don’t know what’s going to happen once this tour is done. Today has felt like I’ve been waking from a long, perfect dream and I’m struggling to orient myself in the real world again.
“My sisters won’t leave off asking about you and whether you’ll be at our next family gathering,” Cal says casually, the tops of his cheeks darkening. He refuses to meet my eyes, so I glance at Micah instead, who is grinning like this whole exchange is amusing to him.
He leans closer and tells me in a conspiratorial whisper, “You’ll love it, Sin. Cal’s family members are a lot, but they’re good to spend time with.”
“Is everyone going?” I ask.
Micah sits back with a grin. “You couldn’t stop me if you wanted to. Cal’s mamma’s stew is the best thing you’ve ever tasted. Dorian and Iri will be there, too.”
I reach out and squeeze Cal’s hand, since he still won’t look at me. “I’d really like that, Cal. I’d love to meet your sisters.”
“Yeah?” His tone is gruff, but I can see the relief in his body language as his shoulders slump and he squeezes my hand in return. More than anything, I’d like to see the place and the people, which clearly means a lot to Cal.
“What was Iri saying to you earlier while we were packing up?” Micah asks.
I take a sip of my drink. “Oh, he has a surprise when we’re done here. He’s going to pick us up.”
Micah snorts as Cal lets out a displeased grumble. “Pretty sure that’s a surprise just for you, sweetheart.”
Huh, I wonder what that’s about.
I don’t have time to ponder it too much, since the magical spell of our dinner breaks thanks to a handful of overexcited young women heading into the restaurant. They’re led to seats across the room from us, but it isn’t long before two of them appear at the side of our table.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you guys are here. This place is so cute,” one says with a wide grin. “Will you sign something for me?”
Cal shifts in his seat, looking distinctly uncomfortable, and I can see the other woman is pressing her tits right up against him, squishing her flesh against his shoulder.
“We’re actually trying to have a quiet night,” Micah replies.
“One teeny tiny autograph. Our friends are gonna just die hearing that we saw you in the flesh and they’ll go nuts if we don’t have proof.”
Micah shoots me an apologetic look. “All right. Have you got a pen and something to sign?”
