I adjust the cuffs on my suit jacket as I make my way across the lobby toward the bar. The moment I step inside, a whistle rings out and I glance up to see Doc nodding at me in approval.

“You’re looking snazzy this evening,” he says as he tilts his cutting board and rolls the freshly sliced lemon wedges into a container.

I place my phone face-up on the bar and slide into an empty stool. “Thank you very much,” I say.

“Hot date tonight?”

“Something like that.”

“Going out or staying in?”

I pause to consider. “Little bit of both.”

“Get you a drink?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’ll take…” I look a few stools down on my left to see Faye leaning over a pile of paperwork with her own drink. “A beer,” I finish. “Whatever she’s having.”

Doc nods and turns to grab one from the fridge.

“Hey, Faye,” I greet. Her brow twitches. “Having fun?”

She exhales and turns her head up as she reaches for her bottle. “I’m making next week’s employee schedule,” she says.

“On a Saturday night?”

Doc chortles as he sets my beer down in front of me. “Don’t bother, man. I’ve tried for years to get Faye to let loose and have some fun. It ain’t gonna happen.”

She smirks. “I dunno. Kicking your sorry asses last night sure was what I’d call fun.”

I laugh. “She’s got a point, Doc.”

“Anyone can sit down and get lucky at a game of cards,” he says.

“Five weeks in a row?” she jabs as she takes a sip of her beer.

He glares but his lips curl.

My phone vibrates against the bar and I snatch it up fast to check if Penelope needs me. The two of them instantly react with squinting, suspicious eyes.

“Expecting a call there, buddy?” Doc asks.

“No,” I say quickly as I swipe to answer.

Faye tilts her head. “That wouldn’t happen to be a certain good luck charm, would it?”

“No. It’s just Jonah,” I say, playing it cool.

Doc and Faye exchange another glance.

“Hey, Jo,” I answer.

“Hi,” he says. He lets out a stiff yawn. “Sorry I missed your calls. I was sleeping.”

“Did you just wake up?” I ask.

“Yeah.”

“It’s five in the afternoon.”

“I’m on tour,” he simply says.

“Fair enough. Hey, I’m bringing a date to your show tonight and she’s a big fan. You think you can score me some backstage time? I’d owe you one.”

He yawns again and I nearly catch it. “Sure, man.”

“Thanks a lot, Jo.”

“Just like… text me the info or something so I remember this conversation happened.”

I chuckle. “Will do. I’ll see you tonight. Take it easy.”

“I’m on tour,” he says again, this time a little defensively.

“Okay. Bye, Jo.”

“Bye, Graham.”

I lower my phone to the bar again. “Eh, close enough.”

Doc hums loudly. “Taking the lady friend to little brother’s show, huh?”

“More like kidnapping her from the nosebleeds and dropping her in the front row,” I say.

He extends his fist and I give it a bump. “That’s how it’s done,” he says with respect.

Faye scoffs to herself.

My phone vibrates again but Doc picks it up before I can.

“Stratosphere,” he reads aloud. “S.O.S.”

I take a last swig from my beer. “That’s my cue. I gotta run.”

He keeps hold of my phone. “Why is —” he checks the screen, “— Penny sending you an S.O.S.?”

“Give me back my phone and I can find out,” I say, extending my hand.

He teases me with it, quickly pulling it away before I can grab it. “This new hobby of yours doesn’t seem all that healthy…”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Faye quips with her head down. “He’s actually showered this week.”

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” he asks.

I glare before snatching my phone back from his hand. “I’ll rest when Penny goes home. In the meantime, I have a job to do.”

I swipe open the message and send one back.

On my way.