“I’ve got a guest list,” Cary said three hours too late.
“Ah, man,” Kevin groaned. “What’ll it be? Penfolds Grange?”
Cary answered, “Yes, please.”
“Any food?”
“I’m always hungry after a show. Can you throw a few appetizers together? Not the entire menu, though.” He pushed the beanie away from his eyes. “And truffle popcorn for Tyler.”
Good memory.
“It’s too expensive,” she whispered.
“What is? Truffle popcorn?” he joked, but she didn’t laugh.
Tyler frowned. “The wine.”
“I sold out the stadium,” he whispered back. “I think I’ll be all right.”
“May I please pay for the food?”
He reached for a carafe of water on the table. “Don’t be ridiculous, Tyler.”
“I have money.” She didn’t have Penfolds Grange kind of money, but she had enough for truffle popcorn. “I can afford the food.”
Cary’s eyes softened and he placed her hands between his. “Please promise me you won’t bring it up again?”
“No.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “What am I going to do with you?”
Anything you want, Cary Kingston.
“So, did you like the show?” he asked.
“I loved it, and I’m not just saying that. You play every concert like it’s your last.”
“Well, people pay their hard-earned money to see me, and just knowing it’ssomeone’sfirst concert makes me want to give them a great experience.”
“Why don’t you have an opening act?”
Cary leaned back, clasping his hands behind his beanie. “Good question. I just haven’t heard anything I like.” He leaned forward, took a sip of water, and added, “Maybe I’m too old to know what the kids are into.”
Tyler shook her head. “There are plenty of good bands out there.”
“That’s the problem. They’re good, not great.”
“Arkells are pretty great.”
He laughed. “I had no idea they were so popular. You were right. Banger after banger.”
“Would you ever consider changing your position?”
He shrugged. “Sure, if they’re great.”
“Don’t look now,” Tyler said, leaning in. “But the people behind us are wearing your merch.”
Cary tugged his beanie lower, smirking like he’d just been caught doing something mildly illegal. She tried to picture her own face plastered on a stranger’s chest and immediately broke out in secondhand embarrassment.
