“Let’s tell everyone!” He extended his arms across her desk and touched her hand. “Tyler, it’s hard being in love with you and keeping it quiet.”
Her voice came out softly, “You’re in love with me?”
“Absolutely. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner, but I had to be sure. And now I am.”
“I love you too.” Her heart skipped a beat. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Trust is something I have to work on. But now I feel bad that you came all this way to see me.”
“I didn’t. I came to see Rory. I wanted to ask if he’d be my Valentine.”
She laughed. “Really? Is that a fact?”
“I got you something.”
“Yeah, my band on the awards. Thank you.” She shook her head. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to help,” he said with a smile. “I love that band, and they’re recording my song.”
“Recorded,” she clarified. “Do you want to hear it?”
“Of course I do.”
She turned her computer speakers toward him and clicked on the track. He closed his eyes and rocked to the beat, smiling from the beginning to the end.
“Incredible,” he said. “Really. I’m impressed.”
“I want them to play it on the live broadcast.”
“See, it all worked out.” Cary winked. “Come downstairs and bring your bag.” He checked his phone. “I’ve only got seven hours left.”
“What about Sebastien? I can’t just leave—”
“Let’s tell him right now.”
She hesitated for a moment. “Is it okay if we wait until after the awards? I don’t want him screwing with Yestown.”
“You promise?”
“Only if you promise me something.”
“Name it.”
“Please stop following me on Instagram,” she said. “I had to turn off my notifications because of your fans.”
“Oh, shit.” He covered his mouth, letting a grin slip. “I’ll set up a private account,” he said. “I love seeing pictures of you and my Valentine.”
After Cary told Sebastien he needed Tyler’s help picking out a new suit—which wasn’t a lie, since he hadn’t specified when—they took the stairs down two flights to SDM’s parking garage.
“Surprise!” Cary said, more excited than a rich kid on Christmas. They stood before a brand-new car with a red bow wrapped around it. “It’s blue, but we can have them paint it black if you don’t like it. This is all they had on hand.” He passed her a key fob.
“You bought me a car?” she asked in disbelief.
“A Mustang,” he clarified. “You said you wanted an electric car, and let’s face it, your truck has seen better days.”
She handed back the key fob. “I can’t accept a fifty-thousand-dollar gift from you, Cary.” She guessed the amount, but it could have been more.
“I made that in merch last night.” His attempt to put things into perspective didn’t help his cause.
She rephrased her statement. “I can’t accept a car from you.”
