Allen nodded once. “Yeah. Number one, but it was years ago.”
Connor stared at Allen, his eyes wide. “You met a forty-year-old former pop star in a café.”
Allen’s cheeks burned so hot he was sure they could cook an egg on them. “He’s not… He’s not walking around like that.”
Jamie’s eyes lit up. “Who is it?”
Allen swallowed. He didn’t want to say his name because it felt like giving Rick away, and he wasn’t sure if Rick wanted people to know. “It’s Rick Marcus,” Allen said.
There was a second of silence, then Jamie said, “No.”
Mark’s mouth opened slightly, then slammed shut. “Wait. That Rick?”
Connor’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Allen. “One hit. Ten years ago. That song everyone played at parties.”
Allen nodded. “Yeah, that one.”
Jamie stared at him as if he expected Allen to laugh and admit it was a joke. “How the hell did you not recognize him straight away?”
“I did,” Allen muttered defensively. “I just didn’t say anything. He only came in for a drink, and I didn’t want to ask him questions about it.”
Mark leaned back, processing. “So you shared a table with a celebrity.”
“He’s not really—” Allen started.
Connor cut in. “He is. He’s famous enough that you know his name. That’s the definition of celebrity.”
Allen’s face stayed hot, and he stared at his drink. “He was fine.” He had no idea what to say after that, so he remained quiet.
Jamie watched Allen more carefully now. “Alright. What’s he like?”
Allen hesitated, then answered honestly. “He’s… intense.”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed. “Intense how?”
Allen searched for the right words. “Not aggressive. Just… focused. Like he notices everything.”
Connor’s expression didn’t soften. “That can be a red flag.”
Allen knew that. He wasn’t stupid, but he also couldn’t stop thinking about how Rick had looked at him as if he mattered. He’d listened when Allen had talked. Allen had felt seen by Rick and not like he was just someone to pass the time with.
“He’s kind,” Allen said.
Jamie made a face. “Kind in what way?”
Allen shrugged. “He listened. He asked questions and actually waited for the answers. He didn’t make me feel stupid.”
Connor’s gaze held his. “Did he flirt with you?”
Allen’s throat tightened. “A little.”
Jamie’s eyes widened. “Did you flirt back?” Allen didn’t answer fast enough, and Jamie grinned. “You did.”
Allen sighed. “Yeah, maybe a little.”
Mark smiled. “Okay. That sounds good.”
Connor didn’t look convinced. “A forty-year-old celebrity sits with you, flirts, asks for your number, and now you’ve been messaging all week. That’s fast.”
