Page 61 of Concerted Chaos

“You’re going to be on camera at the show,” Powell reminds me. “Jace’s long lost love and all that drivel.”

“Shut up,” I warn him. The alcohol is loosening his tongue too much. I don’t need him exposing mine and Jace’s relationship as one-sided in front of an inquisitive manipulative would-be reporter.

“It’s not drivel,” Tanner speaks up in misguided defense of me. “It’s tragic. I can’t imagine being in love with someone and never getting to tell them except in death. It’s heartbreaking. If you care about someone, you should gather your courage and tell them while you’re alive.”

Powell’s eyes glaze over and his face goes blank for a second, then he immediately stands up and leaves the room. Great. I know exactly what he’s doing. Tanner doesn’t, he’s staring after him, concerned.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No, worse. You said something inspirational. He just ran back to his studio.” Usually he grabs for one of the ubiquitous legal pads and a pen, or his phone to sing into, but we were close enough he can use the real technology. Powell’s going to disappear for either a few minutes or a few hours, depending on how it works out in his head.

“He’s making a song out of what I said?”

“Yep. You’ll have to tell Whitney when the song comes out.”

“Why tell Whitney?”

“She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she? You can’t talk about loving someone while you’re in a relationship and not expect them to assume you’re referencing them.”

“She’s ... we’ve hung out a couple of times, but why would you ... did she say she was my girlfriend?” Tanner stammers and seems confused, which is odd considering the way Whitney raves about him. He runs a hand through his hair and is starting to look distraught.

“My understanding is that the two of you are very happy together.” I raise my eyebrows. Is it possible their relationship isn’t as perfect as his “girlfriend” claims?

“Would that be a problem?” His attitude changes suddenly. His emerald eyes are fixed on my face like he’s challenging me, and I flashback to the kiss he delivered outside the restaurant. The fake kiss that somehow infuriated him, even though he was the one who initiated it in the first place.

“Why would that be a problem? I set you up, didn’t I?” Not quite intentionally, but he doesn’t needto know that. I had suspected Whitney thought I was bringing Powell on our double date, and I didn’t have many other options. I didn’t know they’d end up actually dating though. He was meant to be my support person and a decoy to test Whitney’s expectations, not an actual romantic option for my assistant manager. Maybe I should have explained that to him in advance.

“True, you did.” Tanner looks away for a moment, his fingers drumming an agitated beat on the bar. Then he turns back to me. “And I should thank you. Whitney is awesome. We’re having a ton of fun together.”

“Great. Hey, you know what would be super fun? You should take a romantic getaway. Why don’t you come to LA? I can get you tickets to the Last Barons concert.”

“Are you serious?” He’s clearly missing the sarcasm in my voice.

“Yeah, sure. I have some extras.” They were intended for mom and Hank, but my parents were invited to host a charity viewing of the concert, where they’ll be auctioning off a stack of signed merchandise. And that reminds me—I need to get Powell busy signing things this afternoon when he emerges from his studio.

“Fantastic. I’d love a romantic getaway. That would be amazing.” He sounds rather aggressive and angry in his acceptance of my offering. Why are we sniping at each other like this? Oh, yeah, because he’s a sleazy photographer who takes advantage of people ... and now he’s suckered me into giving him free tickets. Ugh, he won again.

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