“And I said she was local. She is.”
“You should’ve told me who shewas.” He hated looking like a fool, even though it happened every time he walked past a mirror.
She shrugged. “Take it up with Cary.”
“Nada . . . she’s Native?”
“She’s Cree,” Tyler corrected. “Indigenous. And her name isNadie.”
“Whatever.” He rolled his eyes, vacant as always. “Seems like she’d qualify for that kind of funding.”
Government grants had become a lifeline in the Canadian music industry—especially for Indigenous artists. He saw dollar signs. She saw red.
“We don’t manage female acts, remember?” she said sweetly.
Sebastien scratched his beard. “Might be time to revise that policy—for the right amount of cash.”
“She’s not eighteen. My sister won’t let me manage her yet.”
She lied so smoothly, even a polygraph would applaud.
“Youasked?” he said, squinting like a mole in daylight.
She nodded.
He huffed like a cranky toddler, then pointed to the garment bag hanging from the coat rack. “Take that on your way out.”
“What is it?”
“Cary’s suit from the awards. The designer sent it over.” He sneered. “You’re probably living there anyway.”
“I’m not,” she said. “Yet.”
He laughed in her face. “Like you’re any different from the rest.”
She stared at him, deadpan.Fuck all the way off, Sebastien.
Tyler lifted the hanger from the rack and carried it back to her office.
“That’s it,” she said, slamming the door. “I can’t take it anymore, Rory.”
The dog shook his body from head to tail, seeming to understand.
Tyler called Allie on FaceTime to hatch an exit plan.
“I was just about to call you,” Allie said. “I booked the girls a tour down the coast. They’ll be in LA at the end of next month.”
“That’s amazing!” she exclaimed. “Hey, ASCAP is giving us a slot on their showcase, so why don’t you add it to the end of their tour?”
“The ASCAP showcase at the Hotel Cafe?” Allie whistled. “That’s a coveted gig, man.”
“I know,” she said. “All the experts will be there.”
“I’m on it.” Allie tilted her head. “You called for a reason?”
Tyler closed her eyes and let out a sigh, emphasizing her frustration.
“You okay?” Allie asked, moving her face closer to the screen.
