Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I know he’s right, and I hate him for it.
“Promise me, Killian.”
“You finally used my first name.”
“It felt weird asking for a real promise from Leather Pants. Just don’t go as her plus one, all right? I don’t know if she can—I just, I didn’t know it was like this, not until tonight. I mean she talks sometimes about it, I know she has regrets, but sometimes girls don’t want the knight in shining armor. They just dream about him when really all they need is a best friend and a shoulder to cry on and, well, someone to gossip with about all the wedding guests and throw slander at her sister. Don’t worry I’ll ask for forgiveness later.”
I smile. I hate that I like him. Stupid bastard. “Fine. Just tell her hi and I hope she’s well. I mean it.”
My heart damn near shatters in my chest when he says okay and hangs up. I drop my phone onto my desk only to have it ring again.
I quickly pick it up. “What now?”
“Ummm…” my manager Winnie says. “Rough night, Kill?”
“No, no, no.” I shake my head even though she can’t see it. “I just, never mind, I’m good, I thought you were someone else and didn’t even look at my screen.”
Huh, the power of a crush that refuses to go away.
Yeah, because that night was just me crushing on a woman.
I think back on us kissing on the couch, on the wine, the laughter, on her showing me her world, on me accepting it and needing it more than any drug in the world.
She had her sewing machine out and was making some cool Star Wars costume for Comic Con and showed me her podcast studio. I would have killed to be a guest and talk all things sex and love with that woman than strip her naked and carry her into the adjoining bedroom.
“…anyway, it would be good PR since last time you actually stole the bride, God what a nightmare, I’m still, whatever we won’t talk about it, so what do you say?”
A swift panic hits me, “Can you, uh, repeat the first part?”
She sighs like she’s already done with me. “Zane Andrews had to pull out of performing for the wedding because one of his cousins—the one who is rumored to be in the mafia—was hosting his daughter’s wedding the same weekend and he had gotten the dates confused so anyway. What do you say? One more wedding to redeem yourself from the last one?”
I want to say no. But now that I’m not a plus one and nearly lost to a fucking turtle, it was my turn to have a moment of weakness just like Scar. “When is it?”
“Few weeks from now. You’ll have time. It’s at a winery outside of The Gorge, beautiful, has amazing places to stay, an on-site restaurant, bar, and it’s known for its events.”
“Fine.” I sigh. “They must be paying a lot for me to just sing at the reception.”
“Apparently, the bride’s a huge fan and you were her first choice, but they weren’t willing to pay enough of your fee.”
“Fee? I have a fee?”
She snorts. “Ever since last time, we doubled it.”
“Huh, so what am I worth now?”
“Half a million dollars for two hours of your time.”
“That’s like stealing.”
“Remember my percentage.” She laughs. “Okay, I’ll book you and send you all of your information for your reservations. I won’t be able to go with you to this one, so you’ll be dealing with my assistant.”
I groan. “You know how much I hate him. He’s so dumb!”
“He just has no social skills.”
“He tried to rescue a bird in the middle of LA traffic then cried when the vet couldn’t save its life only to find out that the bird was already dead, he fucking gave it CPR. Win!”
She laughs. “He just cares a lot, and he makes my life a lot easier, just allow Dustin to be your right hand, he’ll take care of everything.”
“Right. Right.” I roll my eyes. Dustin is like the epitome of someone who only has emotion toward animals and his computer games. Swear he nearly shit his pants when he found out Dungeons and Dragons was going to be made into a movie.
I heard he cried, but that’s just a rumor—strongly enforced by his puffy eyes and red face an hour later in the office.
“All right, thanks.” I hang up and stare back at my phone. She wouldn’t answer anyway, she’s passed out.
Because of me.
And what would I even say? Oh by the way, I’m going to someone else’s wedding to do what I couldn’t do at yours? Let’s finish what we started? I miss you?
I groan into my hands and groan even harder when my phone rings with the name Dustin on the screen. I swear if he wasn’t from a loaded family who forced him to actually work, he’d volunteer at an iguana sanctuary and lead Ayahuasca retreats.