They reached me now.
“Did you tell him you’re coming?” Rae asked.
“No, I wanted to surprise him.”
Their reactions couldn’t have been different, and I wanted to block Vera’s raised brows and wide eyes from my mind. Instead, I focused on Rae as she clapped her hands, bouncing on her stiletto heels, her champagne jumpsuit sparkling under the dim, soft lighting. She might as well have heart eyes, and that was the positivity I needed right then.
“Are you sure that was a good idea?” Vera asked, not willing to be ignored. Usually, I was the voice of reason, but reason-be-damned.
“Well, I can’t do much about it now,” I said, laughing nervously.
“You could message him?” she suggested. “I’m just worried that maybe he might have someone with him—”
“He’s single,” I cut in. He admitted it himself. He wouldn’t have anyone with him.
“But maybe he has plans, and we’ll miss him.”
“Don’t ruin this moment, Vera,” Rae reprimanded.
“Then we miss him. I just…I just want to try,” I said, almost pleading with her to understand.
“I know, I know. I’m excited for you. I promise. I just have to say it. I know excitement can act like blinders, and I wanted to be a voice of reason. If you’re committed to this, then I’m here for you.”
“I can be the voice of reason,” Rae pouted.
Vera and I both laughed, quickly followed by Rae joining us.
“Maybe he’ll kiss you at midnight,” Vera said, leaving the land of reason and joining us in the land of excited oblivion. She sparkled just as much as Rae, only in a black sequin top.
“Maybe he’ll fuck you,” Rae said, looking like a kid in a candy shop. I winced but laughed, kind of liking the idea but not wanting to go into details like I knew Rae would. “I mean, I’m assuming that’s why you’re wearing the skirt. Easy access.”
“Oh, my god. I didn’t wear it for easy access.”
“Either way, it’s totally hot. And with the Doc Martin’s and his band T-shirt. So sexy.”
I looked down the bronze sequin skirt with a slit up to my mid-thigh exposing my black boots, and confidence had me standing a little taller. I’d thought about wearing a cute top but thought it’d be cheeky to wear one of his band shirts tucked into the high-waisted skirt.
“I’m going to go talk to a friend I see over there,” Nico interjected. I blinked, completely forgetting he was standing on the other side of Vera.
“Can’t handle a little girl talk?” Rae joked.
“I’ll pass.” He leaned down to press a lingering kiss to Vera’s red lips, uncaring she left some lipstick behind on his. “Behave.”
“Always.”
“I was talking to Rae,” he said.
“Always,” Rae copied Vera.
We snorted, and Nico shook his head before leaving us girls to gush.
Vera snagged another trio of glasses from a passing tray, handing one to each of us.
“Can we get three tequilas brought over? With lime and salt, please,” Rae requested before the waiter could walk away.
“Oh, no,” I said.
“Just a few to loosen you up. This is a night from a movie scene, and you can’t go walking around like you have a stick up your ass.”
“It is like a movie scene,” Vera agreed. “He’ll finish his last note and pass off his guitar, getting ready to walk off stage. But just then, he looks up, and everything stops.”
“Because there is the hottest bitch he’s ever seen,” Rae cut in. “Red hair flowing like the fiery goddess he always dreamed of. Your eyes lock, and a promise of the filthy night to come floats between you.”
“Until you can’t take it anymore, and you both run into each other’s arms,” Vera took over. “Ooo,” she cooed, the ideas coming faster. “Maybe he’ll see how awesome you are and never let you go. You’ll get married and have adorable rock star babies.”
“A baby musician band,” I added, joining in on the crazy fantasy. Why the hell not.
“But first, he’ll take you back to his suite and fuck you all night long,” Rae inserted.
“Yes,” I cheered.
Rae’s eyes lit up. “Damn, you are excited. You never cheer when we talk about sex.”
I shrugged, liking the sound of all night long.
“But before he whisks you away, he introduces me to that delicious Viking man who will end up fucking me all night long.”
“Uh…” Vera and I shared confused glances at the turn of events. “Boyfriend,” I explained.
Rae sniffed in annoyance and ignored us, getting away with it when the waiter returned with our drinks.
“To a new year,” Rae toasted.
I skipped my shot and lifted my still mostly-full champagne glass. I didn’t need to add any alcohol with the number of butterflies fluttering through my whole body.
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, I finally got a message from the contact Aiken set up for me. I had a press pass of sorts that would allow me free rein. Before we got to the party, I nabbed a few pictures of bands setting up. One more of the hottest rock band, and I’d call it a successful night for business.