She covered her nose with both hands. “I hate them.”
“They’re perfect.” He lifted her hands away from her face. “How about meeting me for a drink later?”
“Here?” She blinked, confused.
“No, definitely not here. The Wine Bar. I’ll meet you around eleven?”
“Okay.” She walked toward the door and turned around. “Break a leg.”
“Don’t say that to Vegas,” he called after her with a grin.
Stick to your day job, Cary.
The November air was crisp but mild, considering the time of year. After the show, Tyler strolled along Pacific Boulevard, reliving the kiss like a broken record.
Is my dream finally coming true?
The Wine Bar was crowded, so she sat attheirtable on the patio to give them some privacy. He’d just performed in front of forty-thousand people and she wanted him all to herself. To hoard him like Sebastien.
“Have you decided?” a man holding a pen asked. She could tell by his vacant stare that Kevin didn’t recognize her from two months ago.
“I’m waiting for someone.” She checked her watch. “He should be here any minute.”
The server nodded and excused himself.
Tyler’s phone vibrated. It was a text message from Cary.
Is he canceling?
Granted, it was almost impossible for an artist to leave after a show, especially a “hometown” show. And her boss was throwing an afterparty. Groupies. They were everywhere. It wasn’t lost on Sebastien that women used him to get access to rock stars, but he used them too, mostly because he was a user.
Tyler read the message.
Sorry! En route. Some jerk’s concert is holding up traffic! xo
She laughed out loud and surveyed the patio, but she knew no one there. Her phone was just sitting there, so she scrolled through Cary’s Instagram.
“Rory!” she cheered.
Cary had posted a picture of her dog wearing Mutt Muffs and had captioned it:I love this little guy! #goodboy
Tyler smiled, but unease prickled at her. Thank god Sebastien didn’t check Instagram. He avoided apps on his phone, claiming his fingers were too “wide.” Instead, he preferred to sit behind a computer, slinging insults about the music industry from the safety of a firewall. What he didn’t realize, though, was that she had access to his emails. He was too cheap to hire an in-house IT person, which worked just fine for her.
Moments later a shiny black SUV pulled up to the curb. Cary stepped out of the truck wearing the same beanie but without the glasses.
“Sorry, traffic,” he said, almost out of breath.
“Why didn’t you walk?” She twisted her mouth and bit her lip.
“I don’t know. I forgot it was an option.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek like they were an old married couple. “I’m glad our table was available.”
Our table.
Across the patio, Kevin spotted Cary and hollered, “Hey, man!”
“Kevin!” Cary greeted the server with a wave, winking at Tyler.
“How was the show?” Kevin asked, approaching them. “I would’ve gone. But it sold out so fast.”
