“Being famous is myworst nightmare.” She paused, then raised a finger as something worse occurred to her. “That—and Burning Man. Too many hippies.”
He laughed. “There’s a reason I’m on the road a hundred days a year.”
She nodded. “Sebastien’s always saying, ‘As long as Cary’s on tour we’re keeping the lights on around here.’”
His gaze locked onto hers. Steady. Unflinching.
“I tour for my fans,” he said. “NotSebastien.”
Yeah. Fuck Sebastien.
“Hi, Cary!” the gaggle of women shrieked in unison.
He twisted around and gave them a royal wave, and Tyler glared in their direction.
“So,” he said, turning back to her like nothing was happening, “what’s going on at the office?”
“Oh, the usual.” Like Sebastien yelling at the interns and anyone else within earshot. Everyone in the music industry called him “Sebastard,” but he couldn’t have cared less about his bad reputation.
As an afterthought she said, “Nothing much new around here.”
“Have you heard anything good lately?”
“The new Billie Eilish is pretty solid.”
“I mean, any new bands?” he clarified.
“Oh my god, there’s this band from Toronto I’m in love with!” She played one of their songs in her head.
Cary smiled at the gaggle as they took selfies like Kardashians. “Are we signing them?”
She rolled her eyes. “It’s a girl band.”
“And?” He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes with his wrists.
“When was the last time Sebastien managed a female artist?” she asked flatly. “Exactly. Never.”
Her boss wasn’t just an egomaniac—he was a proper misogynist.
Cary counted on his fingers, then nodded. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He blew on his coffee before taking a sip. “Anything else you’re into?”
“There’s this indie band I’m managing—Yestown.” She paused. “Sebastien doesn’t think they’re any good.”
At first, it pissed her off that her boss didn’t believe in them. But the longer she thought about it, the more she realized—his lack of interest was a gift. No interference. No controlling contracts. Just her and the band.
She was the manager of record. And she was going to break them—with or withoutSebastien.
“I’d take on that girl band too,” she added. “But I haven’t seen them play yet.”
“What kind of music are you looking for?” he asked.
“Anything, as long as it’s good.”
“I listen to everything.” He adjusted his glasses. “Well, just about.”
“Polka?” she teased.
”Iwishmy album covers looked that cool.”
