Page 35 of My Three Billionaire Rockstars

I make a face. “Naturally.”

“Why is that annoying?”

“Because somehow ‘former rockstar turned record label founder’ feels greedy.”

Grace laughs. “You say that like they stole your lunch money.”

“I’m still processing the jacket and the dinner.”

Nina’s eyes flick up over her phone. “You mean the dinner you stormed out of?”

“I didn’t storm.”

“You stormed.”

“I exited with conviction.”

“Same thing.”

I open my mouth to argue, then don’t, mostly because Nina knows exactly how I left The Lamb and there’s no point pretending I didn’t flee the second Maggie Rivers and her backup dancers swarmed our table like they’d been signaled by a distress flare.

I reach for my coffee again instead.

“Here,” Nina says, scrolling farther. “There’s an old live clip.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No, Nina.”

But it’s too late. She’s already hit play, and the sound of a crowd roaring comes tinny through her phone speakers before she turns the volume down.

For one deeply unfortunate second, all three of them are on the screen.

Xander at the microphone, hair longer, jaw shadowed, tattoos visible beneath rolled black sleeves. Julian to one side with his guitar low on his hips, grinning like sin and disaster. Gabe at the drum kit, focused and intent, all angles and control. Younger, sure, but recognizably them in a way that makes a weird tightening sensation flare up under my ribs.

“They’re so ridiculous,” I mutter.

Nina looks delighted. “You like the music.”

“I said it’s annoying.”

“Which is Willow for yes.”

Grace sips her tea like she’s watching premium television. “I do love when pretty men turn out to have actual talent. It really keeps life interesting.”

I point at her. “You’re old enough to know better.”

“My age has only improved my taste.” Grace folds her hands beneath her chin. “So, which one do you like? Xander, right?”

I choke on absolutely nothing.

Nina bursts out laughing so hard she nearly drops her phone.

I stare at Grace. “Excuse me?”

She shrugs with elegant innocence. “I’m just asking. Since fate appears to have dropped an entire band into your path.”