‘Thank you for collaborating on this. You’re the two best people for this job. As you know, this is my final farewell. I need it to be incredible. To give the fans something to remember forever.’
‘I appreciate the magnitude of the situation. Some of usdohave experience in the industry.’ It’s a dick move, pulling rank already, but it’s out of my mouth before I can stop it.
Chloe’s jaw ticks. Her disdain is palpable, even from another continent.
‘Right, and Chloe has a huge amount of experience in large-scale event management and exclusivity, so you guys are going to be perfect together.’
Ha. Unlikely.
Ryan’s mobile rings in the background. He glances down at the screen. ‘Guys, sorry, I have to take this. Start brainstorming. I want this entire tour over and done with well before the wedding. The first concert is only eight weeks away. We don’t have a lot of time to come up with something epic.’
His stream remains open but his voice disappears into the corridors of Huxley Castle, Sasha and Chloe’s family home, the place we all grew up. Although Ryan and I were raised in an on-site cabin and not within the lavish castle walls.
‘So…’ Chloe attempts to take command of the situation.
I recline in my chair, grateful for the poolside firepit. March isn’t nearly warm enough in California. The urge to feel some real heat is beginning to eat me.
‘So…’ I echo. If she wants to assume control, let’s see her try.
She leans forward to squint at the screen ‘Do you always conduct your meetings poolside or do you actually have an office? Scratch that. I don’t care either way.’ She shuffles some paperwork and continues, barely pausing for breath. ‘As you know, there’s probably nothing that truly hasn’t been done in some capacity. I spent last night researching the most iconic concerts to date and I’ve come up with some innovative twists.’
I suck air into my cheeks before exhaling in a deliberately patronising manner. ‘I doubt that, Princess.’
I can practically predict what she’s going to say. Fireworks. Disco balls. Circus animals. Whatever. We need something that each city is going to remember. Something that speaks to them on a personal level.
Chloe adjusts her camera slightly and I snatch a brief glimpse of her office. It’s huge, open plan, and she has at least thirteen people working alongside her in the background. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the manic Dubai skyline where skyscraper upon skyscraper punctuate the otherwise flawless azure horizon.
Once again, I’m reluctantly impressed. Even if she is a royal pain in the ass.
‘Well, seeing as the tour’s calledIt’s Always Been You,I was thinking we could spin it to make each city feel like Ryan is singing specifically to them.’
Her idea’s dangerously close to my own, but I can’t help the low sigh that whistles from my lips. ‘Princess, I’m not sure how many concerts you’ve been to, but spoiler-alert, the artist performing does generally sing specifically to the people of that city.’
The glare she shoots me could slit my MacBook in half. ‘First, I’m not your princess. Second, you didn’t even hear me out. I’m well aware of the concept of a concert. I attended nine last year alone. What I’m trying to get through your stupidly smug head is that we need to have a different theme for each city. One which specifically targets them.’
It’s not actually a bad idea.
Most tours pick a theme and run the same tricks across every single venue. It would certainly spice things up a bit. Not that I’ll admit that out loud, of course.
Thankfully, my sunglasses hide any flicker of interest sparking. Chloe and her silver spoon don’t need any encouragement. ‘Go on.’
Dusting an imaginary fleck of lint from her slim fitting dress, she pauses dramatically before elaborating. ‘So, as I was saying, the theme would be tailored around celebrating each city’s biggest achievements, to create the illusion that Ryan’s referring to the residents of each city when he sings,It’s Always Been You.
I hate to admit it, but the feelgood psychology of it is exceptional.
‘It’s a possibility, but something like that would require a phenomenal amount of work.’
She arches one perfect eyebrow in a challenge. ‘Afraid of getting your hands dirty?’
‘My hands are the epitome of dirty, but why get dirty unless it’s necessary?’
Chloe shuffles in her seat, then takes a sip from a glass. Is she thinking about my hands? Or other parts of me?
For fuck’s sake, Jayden, get a grip. She’s not the first attractive woman you’ve ever met, although she might possibly be the most uptight. What she needs is a really good…
‘Thankfully, I have more than just you and your dirty hands to rely on.’ Her voice cuts off that train of thought before it can go completely to the gutter. A slim index finger rises on the screen, twisting in a slow circle, motioning to the staff surrounding her. ‘Plenty of hands, actually.’
‘Fine. Let’s explore the idea further. When can you fly in?’
