Page 42 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

Shannon’s eyes lit up, a smile coming to her face. “I have a proposition. I can’t tell you who the band is, but I can have them sit in on your next performance. They’ll be close to Chattanooga in two days. Would that work?”

“Yes,” I said, seeing the opportunity begin to grow before my eyes. Lennox looked at me, her eyes wide, but I could see the want there, the need to explore this. “Do you have a place in mind? We discovered the hard way that most places have a long list of performers.”

“I know the perfect place. I’ll get the band to show up, you sing, and then we’ll take it from there. It also gives you a few days to think about the offer.”

“Whatisthe offer exactly?” I asked, feeling we needed all the details.

Shannon turned to me, a smile pulling at the corners of her lips. “And you are?”

“Thane Evans, boyfriend and manager.” I held out my hand, taking hers.

“Ah, and that makes you two?” she asked, looking at Simon and Slade.

“Simon, boyfriend and stylist,” Simon said with a wide grin. Slade rolled his eyes, sighing, but gave in to her questions since it was for Lennox.

“Boyfriend and bodyguard.”

I held in a laugh at that, but I also knew he wasn’t kidding. Shannon looked at us all in a new light, and I was thankful it wasn’t a disgusted one.

“I think you’ll have more in common with this band than you think,” she muttered before turning back to me. “The touring company will provide lodging and meals and will give you a percentage of each ticket sold. You’ll be responsible for negotiating that and royalties for songs that go viral.”

“Thank you, and you’ll let us know where to go in two days?”

“Absolutely.” She handed me a business card. “Text me when you’re in the city, and I’ll give you the details.” She turned back to Lennox. “It was wonderful to meet you, and I hope you’ll consider the offer. I think you’ll be a huge success. You’ve got thatitfactor.” Shannon stood without another word, walking back to her table. We all stared at one another, unsure of what to do now.

“Did you just say you were my manager? And stylist? And you, my bodyguard?” Lennox asked, making us all laugh.

We finished our drinks, none of us talking about it yet, too afraid of bursting the magical bubble we seemed to be in with the offer. We listened to a few more people, but none of them seemed to have the same feel that Lennox had conjured while on stage. A few people came by, telling her how great she’d done, only making her blush more. But it was a good look on her.

“Should we head back? I know we want to see the ducks before we head out in the morning, so we need to be packed and ready before then,” I said, looking around the table at my family.

“Yeah, I’m suddenly more eager to get to Chattanooga,” Lennox said, smiling.

* * *

The van was packed,and we were already checked out as we made our way to the Peabody Hotel. Lennox was bouncing on her toes as we stepped into the crowded lobby, jostling a few people to find good spots.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,” the Peabody duckmaster said, greeting everyone as he twirled a cane, and it landed on a rolled-up red carpet. He was decked out in a red coat and black pants, the only thing he was missing was a top hat, and he’d look like a circus ringmaster.

“Can I have your attention? Welcome to the historic Peabody Hotel and the famous fountain. Now, if I can direct your focus onto our guests of honor.”

Just then, a speaker began to play a march as the ducks started to strut down the red carpet in single file. Lennox beamed next to me, clapping her hands. I had to admit, it was cute, even if a bit ridiculous. They marched up little red-carpeted stairs and then got into formation around the fountain.

“I didn’t know ducks could be that well trained,” she whispered, leaning close.

“You can train just about most animals if you take the time,” I said, watching the duckmaster as he paraded around with a lot of showmanship. I wondered if they had to audition for the role. It seemed pretty important as the three-minute spectacle drew a crowd every day.

Once they were all on their perches, everyone clapped, praising the ducks. Slade grunted, clearly not amused, but he couldn’t deny the smile spreading across Lennox’s face.

“You’re not getting a duck,” he said as she started to open her mouth.

“Good, I don’t want one. I was going to ask if you’ve ever seen a duck penis before. It’s shaped like a corkscrew.” She humphed, turning on her heel, leaving Slade slack-jawed as she walked away.

Simon and I burst out laughing, following our mischievous girlfriend back out onto the street. Throwing my arm around her, I walked with her to a little bistro that had window service and we ordered coffee and chocolate croissants to go, munching as we returned to the van.

“Each new city we go to, I find something about it to love. I don’t think I could ever pick a favorite. Each one has something special about it. Babs was right, traveling with someone you love is the way to go,” she sighed wistfully, leaning into me.

“My favorite is whichever you’re in, Noxy girl.” I kissed her head as we walked, knowing I meant every word.

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