"Why wouldn't we sit together?" Roman looked puzzled.
"It'd run better like a production line. Otherwise they'll want a pic with all of us together and that would take longer."
"So?"
"So we're doing it this way and that's that." I fixed Roman with a look and he eye-rolled.
"You're all fucking cracking up. Solo meet and greets with a band, fan club president and Rex's fangirl on site. I'm getting out of here before you infect me."
"Oh, before you go. I sent out some VIP invites for the first show. Harley Davies is coming and said she can't wait to catch up with you." Vikki said.
"I knew she'd not be able to resist the opportunity to come hang round me." Zak smirked looking more his usual self.
"Actually that was to Roman. She said she couldn't wait to catch up with Roman."
Roman's mouth dropped open again.
"She did?"
Vikki nodded.
Zak scowled. "There's something wrong with that woman."
"We've had this conversation several times. You thought she was responsible for Dan going missing and that wasn't the case was it? Just because she doesn't fancy you doesn't mean there's anything wrong with her."
"Yes it does."
I sighed. "Vikki doesn't fancy you."
"I did actually, but I knew it was just him being an incubi, so Stacey performed a spell so it wouldn't work. She does them on all her friends."
"That's it!!" Zak leapt up. "Stacey and Harley are friends. She'll have had the spell put on her."
He looked a lot happier, so I didn't argue with him. It could well be the case and if it shut him up, I would let him believe it.
Roman was in a dreamworld.
"You okay there, Rome?"
"Er, what, yeah, fine. Are we ready to rehearse now?"
"Yeah, come on. I'm pumped and ready to rock and roll." Zak sing-songed.
So I called an end to the meeting and we went to the venue.
Back in my hotel room after the rehearsals, I watched closely as my sexy wife climbed into bed beside me.
"So how was your day?" she asked, pulling the covers up and sitting propped up against the headboard.
"Rehearsals went well. Oh, Zak, for reasons none of us can compute has asked Erica, the fan club woman; and her friend to spend the week with us. They're arriving in the morning. So if you see them around if you and the other girls could extend a hand of friendship to them, because I imagine they're going to be like fishes out of water amongst all the roadies.
"I'll come meet them when they arrive. I'll tell Vikki. I won't be able to stay long, but I'll do a quick tour and introduction and then they can hang out and watch the final rehearsals. But ultimately, let Zak know that he invited them and so he has overall responsibility for them."
"Yeah, I will. I'm hoping one of them will be his true love. I also organized a weird solo meet and greet that will put hundreds more women in his path."
Stacey ran a hand down my face. "You're such a romantic, Noah. I love that you want to help him find true love."
"There's nothing romantic about it. I want him with a broken curse so he can help out more, then I have more time with you." I waggled my brows.
And then we were done talking. We were newlyweds after all.
Erica
I don't know how, but we managed to keep relatively calm in the taxi. However, the minute the taxi driver had left us with the hotel concierge who took our cases into the hotel, we squealed and hugged each other.
"This is it, babes. The start of our adventure." Freya grinned. "But I know I'm here because of your connection to the band, so I promise I won't do anything to jeopardise that, no matter how much I want to sneak into Rex's hotel room at night."
"Thanks, Frey. I had to admit to wondering if you might actually get us thrown out on the first day from stealing a keycard and hiding in his bed."
"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it, but I want to win his heart."
"Aww, you romantic, you." I clutched her hand.
"Although if I can only sleep with him that will be perfectly acceptable."
"Come on." I dragged her in the direction of where the concierge had disappeared. "Let's get in there and check-in."
A tall woman with long, curly, dark hair, dressed in a cream trouser suit with a red blouse walked towards us as we came in.
"Erica?" She queried.
"Yes, how did you know?" I asked.
The woman pointed at my head. "I was told you had purple hair. Though you are the third person I've asked today. I'm Vikki." She held out her hand and I shook it.
"Hi, Vikki. This is my best friend Freya who is helping me this week."
Freya also shook Vikki's hand.
"Well, let's get you booked in at the reception desk and then I've arranged for us to meet Stacey Granger in the bar. She was going to come meet you, but I said we needed to get you checked-in and given your security stuff first."
"I'm going to have a drink with Stacey Granger?" I half squealed.
"You are such a fangirl." Freya laughed.
"Duh, that's why I'm here, idiot." I eye-rolled my best friend.
"I have no idea how she's going to behave when she comes face to face with Zak again." Freya whisper-shouted to Vikki.
"I was going to ask which one you both liked best. So it's Zak for you, and…"
"Rex."
"Rex for you. Well they are both single…"
"What about you? Which one do you like best?" I asked.
Vikki leaned in. "None. Stacey put me off them all."
"Phew. I was worried with you having access to them at all times." Yes, I had actually said those words out loud.
"She means access to the band, not to their penises." Freya helpfully explained.
"It's going to be so much fun having you two around this week." Vikki laughed. "I can't wait for you to see the room we've got for you."
And with that she walked us up to the reception and grabbed some keys.
"Jesus fucking Christ." Freya shouted as we stepped into our suite. There were floor-to-ceiling windows, a bar, living area, small dining area with a kitchenette, and two king-size beds. The bathroom was huge with a large walk-in shower and jacuzzi bath and it had a steam room and sauna.
A welcome basket on the table held champagne, strawberries, chocolate, posh crisps, and a bottle each of white, red, and rose wine.
There were also spa-passes.
"Anything else you need just give me a call on this number." Vikki said, passing us each a card. "You have pre-arranged meals booked; so breakfast, lunch, and your evening meal can be taken in the restaurant or in your room at any time and you can charge any sundries within reason."
She went into her bag.
"Here are your passes for the 02 Arena, your passes for around the hotel as we have meeting rooms etc here. This is a card with the number if you need a driver. Please only use our official drivers as otherwise you might be kidnapped by groupies or hounded by the press."