“Hi, you two.” Melanie creeps up behind me, giving a shy wave, almost like she’s unsure if she fits in this part of my life.
My mom doesn’t hesitate. She pulls her into a hug so tight it makes her squeak. “Oh, Melanie. We’ve missed you both so much.”
“Where are you guys staying?” I ask.
They whirl around, practically in sync and wave at her across the lawn. “With Ellie,” they chorus together.
Melanie lets out a real laugh, open and bright. “I’d expect nothing less.”
“Let’s get dinner tomorrow?” I say, meaning it in a way I haven’t in so long.
“Call us in the morning,” my dad says, pulling me in for a hug. It feels good. Like a piece that was missing all these years has finally been found.
We say our goodbyes, and I turn back to help with the breakdown. People are still milling about, buzzing with the afterglow of a great show. Every few minutes someone is brave enough to ask for a selfie or an autograph.
I’m signing a poster for a teenage girl while Melanie takes apart the mic stand.
“Melanie, can I have yours too?” the girl asks.
Melanie can’t hide the shock that crosses her features. “Me?” she squeaks.
“Of course,” the girl says, nodding eagerly.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course!” the girl says again. “I want to say I met you before you were a huge star.”
A blush creeps into Melanie’s cheeks, caught somewhere between disbelief and awe. She signs with a shaky hand, and the girl skips off like she just met Taylor Swift herself. I watch as Melanie’s eyes follow her—as if she still can’t believe this is happening.
We’re interrupted again by a throat clearing.
Mark. And with him is Gary, and a new guy in a crisp button-down and expensive-looking boots.
They’d been off to the side talking in hushed tones while Melanie and I busied ourselves breaking down the set and battling interruptions. Now it’s here. The moment of truth.
“Weneedto talk,” Mark says, grinning bigger than I’ve ever seen.
“Josh, Melanie—fabulous set,” Gary agrees.
“I don’t know that you’ve ever met Chip Michaels. He’s our new VP of Artists & Repertoire. Chip, meet Josh Cote and Melanie Glick.”
I hold out my hand to Chip and give him a firm shake. Melanie does the same.
“Josh, Melanie, it’s a pleasure.” Chip’s smile is friendly but assessing. He’s sizing us up. I know the type.
“Thank you all for being here,” I say. “Really.”
Mark says, draping an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s cut right to the chase. We’d like to sit down and talk about a future at SoundShift. Forbothof you.”
Melanie stiffens beside me. “I…um, need to get back to my dad,” Melanie says, voice careful.
I place my hand on her lower back, glancing at her.
“Go,” I say quietly. “I’ll stay. I’ll fill you in later.”
Melanie hesitates for just a second, then nods, sucking in a breath. “Yeah, okay.”
“We’ll sit down and talk in detail tomorrow sometime if you’re on board,” Mark says, patting Melanie’s shoulder.
