Page 17 of Extended Bridge

“A what?” His words don’t compute. “Don’t you have to, I don’t know, have them play or something?”

Bennett looks like he wants to talk, but Luke is quicker on the draw. “That’s already been done in the previous rounds. We have a team who reviews all the resumes and invites interesting candidates to come in and do an initial meeting. The top of the crop is then invited to come back to show off their experience with guitars. In this case, B and I are the final round. Within thirty minutes of meeting someone, we know if they’ll be a fit or not.”

“Sometimes we pick different candidates, but more often than not, we agree,” Bennett adds. “The entire process will be over, including an offer made, within three hours.”

“Wow.” I can’t imagine being so streamlined. I’m the one who vets and interviews all job applicants. Maybe I could involve the managers on the front end rather than the back? Definitely something to consider. The two men stare at me. “So different from how I do things, but I like it. It takes me hours upon hours to hire someone.”

“Glad to put your brain to work. Hope you can buy back some time using our method.” Luke shuffles the resumes and holds up the first one. Kieron Malone. He whispers to a stagehand to bring him to us.

While we wait, I read his CV. He’s toured with a couple of other bands, once as a backup guitarist and other times as a guitar tech. He also plays keyboards and can do backup vocals. Seems like a pretty talented guy.

A tall, lanky man wearing a pair of jeans is brought toward us. He has long blond hair, with the unfortunate distinction of being a similar shade to mine. He’s also wearing it in a ponytail. He sports a goatee, wears a nose ring, and has one sleeve covered in tattoos. In short, he looks like a member of a band.

Luke takes the lead. “Hi, Kieron is it?”

He smiles, his light blue eyes scanning the Garden. Not surprising, it’s an amazing venue. “That’s me.” He’s introduced to all of us.

“It says here you’ve done some touring,” Bennett begins. “How did you like your experience?”

“It was good. I mean,” he brings his attention back to us. “It wasn’t Madison Square Garden good, but we hit up some decent-sized venues.”

“Tell us more about it,” Luke requests. In response, Kieron details his experiences—from setting up the tour bus to meeting some groupies.

“I’d like to hear about your time onstage. And writing songs. How did that go?” Bennett asks.

“Of course, that was the best part. I mean, it was the reason we were doing it all, you know? Writing was more of a group effort, although I’ll admit our lead singer did the heavy lifting. I added in some pretty good guitar licks, if I do say so myself. I could’ve created even better keyboard tracks, if we had keyboards.” He chuckles.

Kieron seems affable and good-natured. Two things that will put him in good stead if he joins UC. Three pairs of eyes spear me, waiting for me to ask a question. I ask the first thing thatcomes to my mind. “Why UC?” My eyes slam shut. I hope I didn’t sound too much like a physical therapist, asking a newly minted one why they want to work with me.

“Good question.” This from Luke, which makes me feel as if my contribution to the interview wasn’t dumb. Or at least he’s being nice, for Bennett’s sake.

“I’ve followed you guys for a few years now. Darren,” he makes the sign of the cross, “Was a fantastic keyboardist. I modeled some of my licks with a nod toward his skills. I appreciate the way you five get along so well onstage and play off each other.”

He continues with his answer, but his mentioning of Darren is like a gut punch. Darren was phenomenal. A truly great man. My gaze strays to Bennett, who’s concentrating on the interview, as he should. How is it Darren never made me feel the way Bennett does? Am I betraying what we had?

No. I stop myself from going down this path again. But for his passing away, I wouldn’t know anything about how Bennett kisses or feels or tastes. The two men are polar opposites of each other, even though they were founding members of the same band.

I tune back in to Kieron. “I think I’d add a new dimension to your crew, bringing my own experiences into the mix.”

Luke and Bennett nod and shake his hand. I follow suit. Luke concludes the interview by letting him know he should hear back before the concert tonight. “If you’re selected, will you be able to join us on tour immediately?”

Kieron smiles broadly. “Definitely.”

After he leaves, we interview four other candidates with me repeating my new hallmark question. The process really does only take thirty minutes per candidate.

Luke claps. “Good job, team! We need to clear out of here so our fans can start finding their seats. Want to go to dinner and pick a new guitar tech?”

“I could eat a horse,” Bennett replies. They both get to their feet.

I’m starving, but unsure whether the invitation includes me. Istare at my hands folded on my lap. “Jenna.” Bennett extends his hand. “Coming?”

My palm meets his and the connection is so strong, I just might. That’s not what he meant.Head in the game!“I’m definitely hungry.”

“Great!” Unaware of the tension building between Bennett and me, Luke hops up. “I made reservations at a restaurant down the block. Feel up to a walk?” He places his hand on Bennett’s shoulder. “Elias and his team will provide security.”

“Let me get my hat and glasses. Meet you at the exit.” Bennett takes off with a purposeful, yet steady, stride.

“Are you really ready to join UC?” Luke asks as we walk toward our rendezvous.

---