“So… when do I get to see my girlfriend? We should be home by next week unless it gets extended. Now if that happens, I’ll—”
“Actually, I’m here.”
He jumped to his feet. “Here? Where? How did you—”
“My best friend, Roslyn, lives here. I came to see her for the weekend. Then Jackson called and invited us to your show.”
His heart perked up. “So, I’ll see you tonight?”
“I don’t know how it’ll work, Alex. I haven’t—”
“Don’t worry about that now. Just hurry and get here,” he said.
“Someone’s making demands already.” Zoe giggled.
“I’m the boyfriend, remember?”
“I guess you are.”
“You guess?” He chuckled, but he meant every word. Alex wanted Zoe and he would fight to keep her. He only hoped that person wasn’t her brother.
***
“We get to go backstage!” Roslyn bounced on her toes.
Zoe smiled, giving her friend her ticket. “Compliments of my brother.”
“I love it! I can’t wait!” Roslyn took her friend’s hand and headed backstage. Another security guard checked their tickets, and he let them pass. Roslyn and Zoe entered another hallway, passing a green room and a dressing room. Then they spotted Noelle, carrying a cardigan on her shoulder.
Her eyes beamed at Zoe. She hugged her. “You made it. Come on back and see Bailey.” Then she extended her hand to Roslyn. “I’m Noelle.”
“Roslyn. Great to meet you.” The group continued to another dressing room. Noelle knocked only to hear Bailey call her inside.
Zoe walked in behind Noelle, followed by Roslyn.
Bailey grinned. “I’m glad you could make it.” She hugged Zoe and then directed her attention to Roslyn, shaking her hand.
Zoe and Roslyn made themselves comfortable on the couch. “This is amazing,” Zoe said.
“You must be nervous.” Roslyn looked around the room.
Bailey fluffed her curls in the mirror. “It gets easier with time, but yes.”
“You’ll do great, as always.” Noelle handed her friend her sweater.
Zoe folded her hands in her lap. Her palms only sweated. Alex had to be nearby, and though she wanted to see him, it wasn’t the time. Her phone buzzed with a text from him.
6:45 PM... Alex: Here yet?
Zoe looked around, noticing Bailey and Noelle were talking to Roslyn, asking about her major. Like Zoe, Roslyn had changed her major a few times, but she chose psychology.
Zoe’s belly fluttered. She wanted to see Alex.
6:47 PM... Zoe: I’m here. Hope to see you soon.
She sent it without thinking.
“I need to get out there. We’re starting soon,” Bailey said. She tucked a curl around her ear.