“You’re asking me out officially?” she asked.
He wouldn’t let her get away. “Zoe Mills, will you go out with me? Only me.” Alex couldn’t believe his own ears.
“Only if you mean it,” she said.
He meant it alright. “I do, and you’ll know how much.”
“You don’t have to prove anything to me, Alex.”
“I know, but I don’t want you questioning either. I’m not seeing anyone else but you, Zoe.” Did she detect the seriousness in his tone?
“I believe you.”
“Good.” A knock sounded at his door. “Give me one second.”
“Okay,” Zoe said.
Alex opened his dressing room door, only to be met by Tabitha. His eyes bulged and his breath caught in his throat. Tabitha’s form fitting plum dress hugged every curve of her hour glass body. She pulled her black hair to drape over her shoulder and her brown skin was flawless. The woman was stunning, but Alex didn’t invite her inside.
“You looked surprised to see me,” she said.
“I am.” He swallowed. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I thought we could talk. Besides, you did say I was always welcome at your shows.” She reached for him, but Alex pulled away. “Is that how it is now?”
“Tabitha, I already told you. I said that when we were dating. Things are different now. I think you need to leave.” He didn’t want to hurt her, but he’d rather talk to Zoe.
“You met someone else, haven’t you?” she asked.
“I need to change. The band’s meeting up with the press.”
Tabitha nodded. “Right.” She ran a hand down her neck. “I shouldn’t have come.” Her eyes narrowed at him. “You’re exactly who I thought you were.” She stormed down the hall and Alex closed the door after her. He looked at his phone. Zoe had hung up.
His body temperature rose. Why didn’t he mute his phone? He called her back, but she didn’t answer. She had to have heard Tabitha. This was bad. He called again. Nothing. Maybe she needed a minute or perhaps he assumed the worst.
What if the call dropped? Maybe she stepped away and heard nothing. Alex groaned. She heard. He could explain if she gave him the chance. He called a third time. Voicemail.
“Zoe, call me back. It’s not what you’re thinking.” His palms sweated. “Let me explain, okay? I’m not playing you and I’m not lying. I meant what I said. Call me back, please.” He hung up. His chest tightened. Another knock came at his door. If Tabitha came back, he would call security. Instead, it was Tommy.
“You ready?” he asked. Tommy eyeballed him. “You haven’t changed yet?”
“I’ll be out soon. I had to make a phone call.” He wouldn’t tell Tommy how his personal life had crumbled in less than ten minutes. No, it didn’t. Alex would fix it. “I’ll be out in a few.”
“Alright, man.” Tommy walked down the hallway and Alex closed the door. He hurried for the shower. As soon as they finished their interview and got back on the bus, he would call Zoe again. He only hoped she would pick up.
***
Zoe snapped more photos with her camera in the park. Taking a break from her studies had been the best idea, plus she got some incredible shots with the sun rays as they peaked through the clouds. The lunch hour proved to be one of the best times, so she headed to the park after lunch at Pam’s Diner.
She didn’t return Alex’s calls. Zoe needed to think. Who was that woman in the background? She figured there would be groupies, but he knew her name. Was she an ex? She sounded quite seductive, and Zoe hung up without listening to the rest of the conversation.
A part of her berated herself for not listening in further, but she couldn’t stand hearing the woman’s voice. She panicked. What did Alex do? She wouldn’t know.
Zoe’s phone buzzed in her purse. Taking it out, she spotted her friend’s name. Why did she think it was Alex again?
“How’s it going?”
“Great. Taking a break from studying and getting a few pictures. How are you?”