“Speaking of performances,” Ian said, “how did the interview go?”
“Kari stopped traffic, just like I said she would,” Rafi replied.
Graham and Rafi turned their description of Kari’s triumph into a pas de deux, a verbal ballet, embellishing her time in the publicity limelight until she shouted her protests and laughter. All of them pleased at how well she had done, how she still illuminated the moment.
For the first time in Ian’s adult life, the time of his performance came too soon.
They swept through a hotel lobby crammed with two distinct groups. The Miami glitterati descended from limos and supercars and glided to the bar, while the internationalturistasclutched at children and gawked in clouds of salt and sunscreen. The manager spotted their approach and scurried over to escort them personally through the noisy crush. A phone camera flashed once, twice, three times as they passed. Ian actually enjoyed wondering whether they were taking pictures of him or Kari.
In the limo, Ian repeated what he had said upstairs. “You’re in for a long wait.”
“There’s nothing like a bottle of champagne, wonderful companions, and a pretty bar to waste an hour,” Graham said.
As they crossed the mainland bridge and joined the traffic streaming along Biscayne Boulevard, Ian said, “I forgot to call Connor.”
“I spoke with him,” Kari replied.
“You did?”
She nodded. “And Kiki.”
“You spoke with the concert director?” Ian said.
“Twice. She’s nice.”
“Correction. She’s nice to you. Where was I during all this?”
“Conked out on the sofa,” Kari replied. She sat between him and Rafi. Graham was on the jump seat, smiling at everything and everyone. “Making all kinds of racket.”
“I don’t snore,” Ian replied.
“Oh, really?”
“Never, never.”
“Well, then, Sienna was sure loud for a beast her size.”
“You’re making this up.”
“Whatever you say.” To Graham, she said, “He honks like a goose, this one.”
“Changing the subject,” Ian said. “Why did Kiki call?”
“First time, just checking on you.” Another smile. “Glad to hear you snoring away. She’s assigned you two boxes so everybody can attend together.”
“That’s great.”
“That’s what I said. I asked if Connor and the others could also attend the gala. Her second call was to say that’s in place.”
“I should have handled that earlier,” Graham said. “But I was too busy shouting at people.”
It was then Ian made a decision and said, “You should be in the box tonight. With your friends.”
She lost her smile. “You don’t want me?”
Ian checked his immediate response, then replied, “I spoke with the stage manager. He’ll set you up behind the side curtain. If you want.”
“IfIwant?”
He nodded. “The stage is one of the largest I’ve ever played on. And it extends partly into the audience. You’ll be almost as close in the box, if you’ll sit by the railing.”
“You know I will. Are you sure?”
“Yes. Plus, the rehearsal went well. Better than that.”
She gave that a moment. “You’ll be okay?”
“I really think I will.”
And he was.
