Page 72 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“But this is a huge step forward.We’re so close.”She hugs me.“We can celebrate at your concert on Friday!You guys are coming, right?”
Iris and Bella agree to come.Maddie tells them that she and I can keep watch over the book on the reserve shelf to see if Ward returns to pick it up, and they can go home, adding that she’s grateful for the time they’ve spent here.
Maddie and I take up posts across from the reserve bookshelf.Next to us are two teenage girls discussing their boy band crushes and fantasizing about how they could meet a real rock star.
I whisper to Maddie, “You do realize that with these costumes and our connection to Uncle Tony, we can always go out in public.This opens up so much freedom.”
She stares at me, her head tilted, as if she’s envisioning a future with the two of us in disguise.I can see it, because I’m sure we’ll still be friends.
She gives me a devilish smile.“I can’t wait to see what costume he comes up with next.”
“At some point, we’re definitely going to be clothed in those rags,” I say.
She chuckles.
I turn back to doing the accounting spreadsheets, and Maddie types on her laptop, nibbling at her lip as she does.
Ward doesn’t return, nor do any of the other suspects show up.This is frustrating.But Maddie is pleased with our progress, even though she has to work tomorrow.
“We figured out part of the scheme,” she says.“He posts a miniature scene that tells Beatrice where the drop-off is and in which book.She hides the money in the book, and he picks it up.”
“Why not get the money in person?”
“Then somebody could catch them in the hand-off,” she says.“Plus, he’s so obsessed with miniatures, I bet he likes signaling via his mini scenes.But now he might realize that Galliano is onto him, and that’s why they’ve stopped including the specific books in the post.Galliano clearly didn’t know the book because Beatrice provided that signal last time by giving Ward aCaper Crushbookmark.Ward and Beatrice are now signaling the book by exchanging bookmarks.But they’ll need to figure out another way to signal the book because they won’t always have an excuse to meet in person.”
Lily walks us out the door at closing time.“I’ll try to keep an eye on the book and let you know if I see anything.But I can’t watch it exclusively.”
“Thanks so much,” Maddie says, giving her a hug goodbye.“You’re coming to Nick’s concert on Friday, right?”
Lily smiles and says, “Promise.”
Chapter twenty
Maddie
Nickisuponstage, strumming his guitar, his face focused on feeling the music.Everyone is waving their hands in the air in time with the beat.I’m standing with Iris and Jing right in the center pit.As Nick sings “Only You,” he stares at me.He looks like he’s singing it tome.
Other women in the crowd are turning to see who the focus of his attention is.Now the spotlight is on me, and I can’t see Nick.
Iris’s lead singer ex-boyfriend used to sing to Iris at concerts, but I never thought this would happen to me.
Of course, it’s not actually happening tome, but it’s getting harder to separate reality from fiction.I can’t help smiling and feeling caught up in the excitement.I make a heart above my head.Jing raises both arms and points at me.
The song ends, and the audience erupts into cheers and clapping.
I can’t believe I have to go on stage now, but MusEn wants a public appearance.Especially because so far, the fans’ reactions have been positive.I’m the “girl next door.”Not just literally.That’s also the “vibe” I give off.
I make my way through the crowd and up the little side stairs to join Nick on stage.
The lights are hot, and it looks like there arehundredsof screaming people out there.
This might be my worst nightmare.How does he do this?And come back energized by it?
Nick reaches to hold my hand and pulls me close to him, his arm slipping around my shoulder.He kisses my forehead as we agreed in advance.We thought it would stave off any requests for something more.
We were wrong.
“Kiss, kiss, kiss!”the crowd chants.“On the lips!”
