Twice on our way back to the hotel Simone has been stopped by new fans. She posed for pictures with them and said, “Tag me,” before we continued onward. Both times her smile vanished the second they were behind us.

Normally she’d be floating after a show like that but Jason is all she can think about.

I know the feeling.

“Can you believe how he talked to me?”

When she’s pissed those long legs of hers move fast.

Struggling to keep up with her, I mutter, “I was wondering when you were going to say something.”

“I was in shock. I mean, one minute he’s like a puppy dog, and the next he’s telling me off!”

“I don’t think he ever acted like a puppy dog. His ego is too big.”

“Oh please! He was totally following me around everywhere. Everything I asked for he gave me. He’s wanted to spend every moment with me since I arrived in Atlanta! He was just like all of them!”

I wince because the part of me that wants her not to clump Jason Cocker with the rest of her cadavers is growing harder to ignore.

“You attacked him, Simone. And you told off Justin. I think that was a big mistake.”

She whips around and jabs my collarbone with her index finger, forcing me to stop. “You guys were holding hands while I was right there!”

“Exactly! You were there in full view. Do you really think I’d try and steal someone from you when you’re about to do your most important set yet?!”

“I don’t know, Sarah, first you kissed him and now this!”

Here’s the thing. I may have a crush on Jason, but I would never stab my best friend in the back. What happened on that stage was totally innocent. I was in awe of her and I reached out. What he said back there in the jazz bar was true.

“It looks bad, I know! But I had no idea I was holding his hand until afterward! Look at me, Simone! Jason would never want someone like me when he can have you! And you know me at your shows. I’m always holding onto a wall or a curtain or something! I get so anxious when you’re about to sing your first song I have to grab something. This was the first time there was a person to grab!”

Her expression changes as she admits, “You do always grab onto something.”

“Right!”

The battle against acceptance is all over her face. After a long moment, she softens completely. “You didn’t know you were doing that?”

Holding up my hand like I’m swearing on a Bible, I tell her the truth, “I had no clue. I would never do that to you!”

She inhales deeply and runs a shaky hand through her hair, staring out at the busy street. “I’m not going back to Atlanta.”

Blinking at her, I mutter, “Wait, what?”

With a glint of power flashing into her, Simone nods and crosses her arms. “He threatened to stop working on my song. Well, you know what? Watch him freak out when I leave town.”

This means I’ll never see him again. Holy shit. Suddenly I feel like someone is strangling me. My voice is choked as I ask, “You don’t want to make sure he gets it right?”

“Pfft. He can finish it without me. All he has to do is hire a boy’s choir right?”

“Right…?”

“I trust him to pick a good one.”

Say what?

She never trusts anyone with anything before running it by her first.

I should know. She micro-manages my job, and I’m fucking good at what I do.

I find myself looking for the Cocker twins. Drunken strangers are all I see for blocks in every direction. This city has a liquor problem. Or solution. Whatever way you want to spin it.

When she hasn’t come up for air from her phone, I struggle against a huge sense of loss to ask her, “What are you doing?”

“Searching for our plane reservations,” she mumbles, index finger scrolling.

“Why aren’t you asking me…”

“Found ‘em!” she announces with a triumphant grin. Peering over the screen I see that she’s dialing the record company’s point-man. She throws me a wicked smile. “Mark? It’s Simone.” After a pause, she exclaims, “The show was fantastic! Standing ovation. There are seats at the Civic, like a theater. Well, it’s called Civic Theater so that makes sense I guess. But I loved it. And guess what? I led with the single — a cappella!” On a flirtatious laugh she explains, “I knew I had to win them over first and then lay out my old stuff, because you know it isn’t as good as the new album.” She laughs at something he says. “Exactly! Get ready for a huge avalanche of money coming your way. Oh, Mark…can you help me with something? We booked a flight from New Orleans back to Atlanta but could you pretty please with a cherry on top change that for me so that our flight is to Detroit?” Meeting my eyes like she’s the queen of the world now and isn’t it fun, she waits for him to answer. “Sure, have your assistant handle it. Perfect. I love it!” There’s a final pause as he asks the million-dollar question. Her reply is said with a voice as hot and sexy as if it were melted wax. “No, I think Jason can finish the single for me. I trust him, don’t you? Oh, I’ve got another call coming from Capital Records. Talk soon.” She hangs up as he freaks out. I didn’t have to hear him to know that sent him rushing to bend over and take it up the ass with a cucumber if she wanted him to.

“Oh, you’re good,” I breathe, impressed.

“Don’t hate the player,” she grins. “Hate the game the men designed.”

“But why didn’t you let me change the flight? I do all that stuff.”

Rolling her eyes, she slides her phone into her clutch bag. “He needs to start earning his money. And I wanted to have a little fun.” On a wink she adds, “Now let’s see if we can’t get you laid tonight.”

“What? No, I—”

“Sarah, we’re in the party capital of the South. There are a ton of hot guys and I want to celebrate my night. I’m not going back to the hotel right now.” She grabs my hand and virtually drags me up the street to look for bars.

“Simone, I’m not in the mood for a second one-night stand.”

“Mike wasn’t a one-night stand. You dated him for a month!”

“Two months,” I mutter.

I never told her what he said to me, but I did tell her it ended after my virginity was given to the bastard.

“And you’ve been a fucking nun ever since,” she smiles, knocking our shoulders together. “Enough is enough. You, my dear Sarah Daly, are getting laid tonight!!”

I release her hand as she walks to a bar overflowing with people. Cupping her hand on the window she peers in while I feel my stomach growing more queasy by the second.

“Come on,” I groan. “It’s been a long day. I’ll have a drink but please don’t play matchmaker.”

She totally ignores me, but I know she heard. She’s completely forgotten the hours that preceded her performance where she made my life hell. I haven’t eaten since lunch.

The queen of drama always bounces back from her escapades because they are a part of her, down to her bone marrow.

I don’t bounce.

I need to lay low and regroup like all good introverts do after there’s been too much excitement.

“Holy shit,” she whisper-yells. “This place is amazing. Come on!”

When I don’t follow her, she hurries to me and takes my hand again. “Noooooo,” I moan.

“You said you’d get a drink.” Looking at me she freezes and grabs my handbag. “Refresh your lipstick. You look like a ghost.”

“I’m tired!” My objection is again ignored as she thrusts Blushing Berry into my unwilling hand. Walking to the window so I have a reflection to work off of, I apply it and smack my lips.

She appraises me and by the sparkle in her smile, I’ve won her approval. “Oooooh, I so need this.”

Tugged inside by force I remind her, “I’m only here for cocktails!”

“Totally,” she nods, pushing us through the crowd. “Cock…tails.” She throws me a smile that means danger.