Page 134 of Wingwoman
“Well, actually,” Raeanne interrupted, leaning into me. “I was wondering—”
Maryanne cleared her throat beside Raeanne. “Sorry,” Raeanne clarified, “Wewere wondering if you could ask Josh to sing at our parent’s wedding?
Maryanne chimed in and leaned forward on her elbows. “Mama would never admit it, but she loves Josh Gabriel’s music.”
“Really?” I asked. “She made it sound like you three were the fans and that she took you to his concert ten years ago because she was a good mom.”
Julianne smiled. “Well, she is a good mom. And it’s true that we also love his music. But I think Mama was playing it cool when she said that. At that concert? She bought every item for sale at the store. Every T-shirt, every album, every hoodie. I think it would mean a lot to her if he sang at the reception.”
“Just one song,” Raeanne clarified.
“Please?” Maryanne pleaded. “Will you ask him for us?”
I released an exhale as Maggie met my gaze with a reluctant shrug.
We hadn’t known each other long, but it was like she could read my thoughts.
“Okay, fine,” I said. My eyes met Julianne’s soft smile across the table and she gave me a small nod.
“Thank you,” she said.
“But no promises,” I added. “If he says no, I’m not going to push the issue.”
“Of course!”
“We’d never expect you to push the issue! Not with such a new relationship with Josh!”
“What issue with Josh?”
I jumped at the sound of Matt’s voice behind me.
Maggie beamed at the sight of her boyfriend and stood to kiss him as she explained, “Hope’s gonna ask Josh to sing at her dad’s wedding.”
Matt snorted. “I hope you have better luck than I do getting him to perform.”
Huh. Well that was interesting. “He’s not performing for you?”
“It’s like pulling teeth when he’s working on a new album. He thinks everything is shit until…” Matt’s words faded and he pressed his lips together. “Well, let’s just say he gets in his own head about things. But the label wants him to record a song or two so they can get buzz going for the new album and he’s flat out refusing.”
“Why would he do that?” I asked.
Matt grunted and swiped a hand down his face. “Never mind. Forget I said anything. He’d lose his shit if he found out I talked to you.”
“Don’t worry,” I said. “He won’t find out.”
But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t get to the bottom of this mystery.
Thirty-Seven
JOSH
This new songhad been haunting me ever since the night of the benefit.
I got about halfway through it and then it just… stalled.
Again.
Just as I suspected it would.
