She nods, gazing up at the band as they set up. “Perfect. I’m so impressed with all you’ve been able to accomplish, Quinn.”
“I’m glad you’re happy with everything,” I tell her, pride welling up in my chest.
“Of course! Your reputation in this town is well deserved and I’ll be letting all my friends know about you. With any luck, you’ll be booked for the next year straight.”
I smile. “That would be amazing.”
“Miss Dawson, Miss Bueachamp,” Ronald says quietly as he approaches the table. “The band is ready.”
“Let them know they can start.”
Ronald nods and heads back toward the stage. He gives the band a thumbs up and the lead singer steps up to the microphone as a low beat pulses through the room. They start off with something a little more upbeat before transitioning into a slower song that will be perfect for slow dancing.
“What do you think?” I ask, turning to Jenna as she bobs her head along to the beat.
“They’re good and there’s just something about a live band, don’t you think?”
I nod. “I couldn’t agree more. We can even see if they would be willing to just do the instrumental bit if you didn’t want everyone focused on the band all night long.”
“Yeah,” she agrees. “That sounds like a good idea.”
I stand and hold my hand up to signal the band and the music slowly fades away. “Thank you for coming out today, y’all. Can we have a word with you over here?”
“Sure,” the lead singer says into the microphone, flashing me a panty-melting grin as he takes a step back and unplugs his guitar. All four band members walk across the ballroom to our table.
“You guys sounded great,” I tell them, ignoring the lingering gaze of the lead singer as it trails down my legs. “But we were wondering if you would be willing to just do instrumental versions of your songs and some covers on the night of the gala. This is a charity event for the children’s hospital and as fantastic as you all are, we need to keep the focus on the kids.”
Lead singer guy opens his mouth and I can tell from the pure disgust on his face that he’s going to reject that idea but the drummer steps forward and thrusts out his hand.
“That won’t be a problem at all.”
I smile and shake his hand. “Perfect. We have one more person to audition but I should have an answer for you all by the end of the day.”
“Thank you,” he murmurs before they all turn and head back to the stage to pack up their things. My new admirer turns halfway across the room and winks at me before turning back to the stage and I sigh as I sink into my chair.
“Well, someone’s certainly interested in you,” Jenna comments, her gaze on the stage and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
“He seems like the type that’s interested in anything with a pair of tits.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. A blush creeps up my cheeks as Jenna turns to me with her lips parted in an “O” before she starts laughing.
“Tell me how you really feel, Quinn,” she sputters through her laughter and my blush deepens. God, it’s been so long since I’ve had a girlfriend to talk to that I blurted out exactly what I was thinking before I could stop myself.
“I’m so sorry. That was so unprofessional.”
She waves her hand through the air, dismissing my concern. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, I think you might be right.”
I glance up as the lead singer blows a kiss to one of the waitresses carrying trays of food across the room to our table.
Typical.
“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the many reasons I’m single,” I mutter and Jenna laughs again.
“Girl, I hear you!”
I smile as Ronald stops at the edge of the table with three waitresses, each holding a tray of food.
“Ladies, Chef Thomas has prepared three different meal options for you to choose from. Enjoy!”
He steps back and the first waitress sets her tray down on the table, revealing the two domes underneath before setting one in front of each of us. We work our way through each tray, discussing what Jenna likes and what she doesn’t before we finally get the menu nailed down and move on to auditioning the DJ. Jenna and I agree that he’s talented but ultimately she decides to go with the band and I make a note to have Willa call them. After going over the guest list and a rough schedule of events for the evening, I grab my binder and slap it closed.
“So, do you have an answer for me on the theme?”
She purses her lips, gazing around the room like she’s trying to visualize the space. “I’m thinking with this venue, we have to go with the roaring twenties theme. It just fits this space so well.”
“I absolutely agree.”
“I’m going to have to throw another event so I can use that masquerade theme though,” she replies, pointing her finger at me as she laughs. I nod with a wide grin on my face.
“Anytime.”
She claps her hands together with a bright smile. “I’m so excited! I can’t wait to see what you do with this event.”
“I suppose that means I should get back to the office and start working,” I answer as I stand up and grab my bag and binder. She joins me and Ronald approaches us.
“Ladies, can I escort you out?”
I nod. “Yes, please, Ronald. Thank you for all your help today.”
“Don’t mention it, ma’am. The two of you are always so pleasant to work with.”
We follow him out of the ballroom and I frown at the sight of the band’s lead singer leaning up against the wall, flicking through his phone. When we pass by him, he glances up and I turn away.
“Sweetheart,” he calls, his deep voice like melted caramel. I turn to look at him with a lifted brow.
“Do you really think it’s okay to call a woman you don’t know “sweetheart”?” I ask and he shrugs as he pushes off the wall and approaches us.
“Don’t know your name so what was I supposed to say to get your attention?”
Jenna scoffs next to me as I roll my eyes and take a step back from him. “Literally, anything else.”
He takes a step toward me and the hair on my arms stands on end. He’s too pushy and I don’t like it. When he flashes me that cocky smile I’m sure has worked for him almost every other time in his life, I hold my hand up.
“Your band got the gig and my assistant will call you tomorrow with all the details. You’ll need to make arrangements to come in and sign the contract but is there anything else I can do for you right now?”
He nods. “Yeah, how about your number?”
“Have a good evening, Mr…”
“You can just call me Nick, babe,” he replies.
“Have a good evening, Nick, and I’ll be in touch about the event,” I reply, turning away from him and nodding to Ronald to lead the way. He casts a wary glance over my shoulder before he turns away with a determined expression, leading Jenna and I toward the exit.
“He was so hot,” Jenna comments, fanning herself dramatically. “Why didn’t you give him your number?”
Shaking my head, I suck in a breath. “The answer to that question is complicated.”