To my absolute delight, she actually blushed. That tiny spark I imagined years ago was real. I could feel it.
“Let’s see,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “My new album was released two months ago, but I just moved back here, so this is sort of my hometown launch, I guess. A homecoming.”
Her elegant pen skimmed across the pages.
“There are two record companies that are apparently interested, but I’m also looking into a distribution deal with another. That way I could control everything, but they would do some of the grunt work with manufacturing CDs and merchandise.”
“Bromney Hall is a huge venue,” she said. “I’ll need to verify, but nearly a thousand people. How are ticket sales so far?”
“Great question,” I smiled. “I think it’s around seventy percent sold out.”
Her nose crinkled as she stared into space, thinking. “Do you have confirmation that the record execs are attending?”
“I think so.”
Corina’s eyebrow raised.
“I mean, there’s no way to tell for sure, right?”
Her soft sigh of exasperation made me choke back laughter. “Is there a VIP area for them?”
“No.”
She made another note. “Who is handling the booking?”
“I am.”
Her pen tapped against the notebook for a moment. “Okay, I’m going to take everything over. I’ll meet with the venue manager, find a way to create a VIP area, and confirm that your record company contacts will be attending. I’ll connect with some podcasts and bloggers to give away tickets as contests and giveaways.”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess I never thought of giving tickets away.”
“We need to create buzz,” she said, her bright eyes locked on mine. “Several days before the show, we need to advertise that it’s sold out. That way, the people attending will be more excited to have that ticket. They’ll feel like they’re special, since they managed to get in and others didn’t. It creates a sense of exclusivity at a public event.”
“Wow. I never would have thought of that.”
“That’s why artists need people like us,” she smiled. “We only think of things like that. Plus, when I get you on a dozen radio and podcast interviews, it lets the interviewer know that you’re successful and current.”
I ran a hand through my hair, leaning back in my chair. “I’m so glad you’re the one working on this, Corina. You were always great at the fiddly little details.”
“Some would say a nerd,” she said with a grin.
“Smart and talented does not equal a nerd,” I smiled. “Hey, I’m sorry you got pulled onto this project so late in the day. Everything around me is happening at strange times. Can I take you out to dinner so that we can catch up?” I hoped that my casual tone would make her agree automatically.
Those beautiful eyes just stared, blinking at me several times while I nearly held my breath. Finally she nodded. “Sure.”
Corina grabbed her things and we left the office, taking the elevator down to my car. “Let me guess,” she said, looking around the lot. “That one?” She smirked while pointing to a brown van with retro bubble windows.
“Not quite.” I led her to my plain gray SUV. “That’s actually a bad choice for a band van. You never want anything with windows, because thieves can look in and see what’s inside. You want something white or blue that looks like a plumbing company, or some other boring thing. My bass player has a van like that for hauling gear to shows.”
As we drove off, the sound of her laugh so close to me in the car sped up my heart.
“I guess we’re both experts in our own fields,” she said.
“Do you like Thai food?” I asked.
“Of course.”
Within minutes we were seated in the corner of a lavishly decorated restaurant, ordering a bottle of wine. Luckily, the booth was a comfortable bench, so I could sit close beside her.