“Want to talk?” she asked.
“Nothing to talk about.” He stared straight ahead. Clearly, there was a load to talk about.
“Liar.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Maybe I can help.”
“Not unless you can get my guys to behave. We’re already knee-deep in promotion and ticket sales, and if they don’t get their shit together, we’ll have to cancel.”
Well, seeing as the entirety of her music connections stood next to her, she probably wasn’t any help in that department. “Has this ever happened before?”
“Normally, I’m out in the thick of things. Not a big deal. It’s all about being present and keeping the connection.” The exasperated tone in his words ached.
“If you weren’t in Denver helping Aspen, what would you do?” She wished like heck there was more she could do for him than rub his arm.
He lifted a shoulder. “What I always do. Hop on my bike. Make shit happen.”
She remained silent. He’d be able to do just that soon. After Sophie and Troy finally made it down the aisle—or whatever they would be walking down—and Claire and Dean said “I do,” Brek would be free to do what he needed to do for the sake of rock ’n’ roll.
Velma swallowed the heavy feeling rising in her throat.
Brek would be gone, dealing with his band. He was temporary. He wasn’t about happily ever after. Soon she’d be alone, and this time the emptiness would be permanent. She would have to go back to her spreadsheet.
“I need a miracle.” He dropped to the chair in front of her desk. “Things’ve been tight. More than tight. Sophie’s mom caused a shit storm when the wedding didn’t happen. ThisRosettething has to work or Aspen’s gonna be out.”
Velma’s stomach turned upside down. “Out?”
“Of business.” He let out a broken breath. “Did you have your meeting with Jase about their account?”
“I’m supposed to have dinner with the entire family.” She was a little nervous. Their account would be huge. “Jase said they’re loud.”
“Maybe you should bring a hot date with you. A guy who knows a thing or two about being loud. A guy who also grew up close to the Dvornakovs. I’ll come to dinner. Drink some vodka. Eat Russian food—which is the shit. I’ll get a front-row seat when they agree with my assessment that they are totally fucked without you.”
“You’d do that for me?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, V. I’ll go hang out with my friend’s family if it’ll help my girlfriend feel more comfortable.”
Her whole body tingled.
“Am I your girlfriend?” she asked.
He stared at her a beat. “You banging other guys?”
“No.” Of course she wasn’t.
“I’m not banging other chicks. So, yeah, that makes you my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend. The word sounded sticky to her ears. Temporary girlfriend, maybe. Fling, even.
He stood to press a quick kiss to her forehead. “I gotta go.”
He swung open the door. Her boss was loitering in the hallway right outside her office. A pointed glance her way made it clear she hadn’t disposed of Brek quickly enough.
Brek caught the look and glanced from Tim to Velma. Not an idiot, Brek clearly got what was going on here. Namely, her boss could be a jerk.
“See you at home.” With that, he left—without even a glance toward Tim.
Chapter Nineteen
Countdown to Claire & Dean’s Wedding: 15 Days
