“Wow, she’s rude.” Valerie huffs as we watch Gavin’s messenger walk back inside the cafe. “Shane, do you know who she is?”
“I think that was his assistant, who’s also his cousin. I always see her with him when it’s work related. Who cares about her?” He groans. “Can we talk about how he sent her out here to remind you to call him not less than ten minutes after he gave you his number? That’s hot!” Shane grips my forearm and squeezes, excitement radiating from his eyes. “You better do as he says and call him tonight.”
“You know the policy, Shane,” I remind him with a knowing smile. “No dating anyone in the industry.”
“Rules are meant to be broken. Besides, that policy is for dating within our own company, not within the entire music industry!” He places his hands on his hips when I shake my head at him. “You listen to me, Alyson Marie Dawson…”
“Her middle name isn’t Marie,” Valerie tells him, and my lips twitch at seeing a what the hell expression on her face.
“I’m sure it isn’t, but since I don’t know what her middle name is and I’m trying to be all parental on her right now, Marie sounded good,” he explains in exasperation, causing me to chuckle at how ridiculous he’s being. “Listen to me, Alyson whatever-your-middle-name-is Dawson! You have got to stop letting these opportunities pass you by! First Brodie and now Gavin? Child, are you insane?” he screams the last word out.
“Can you lower your voice? You’re causing a scene!” I hiss at him, not wanting the attention his shouting is bringing our way, judging by the looks we’re starting to receive.
“All I’m saying is that you need to live a little and see where this goes. You may have just met your soul mate.”
“Soul mate?” I scoff. Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes at him.
He throws his arms up in irritation. “Valerie, can you please talk some sense into your sister?”
“Nope, I actually agree with her. I don’t think she should call him. He’s a musician, meaning girls throw themselves at him and he will also have to tour eventually. I don’t approve of a long-distance relationship for my baby sister,” Valerie states firmly, looking him in the eye to show how serious she is.
“Thanks for being supportive there, Val,” Shane says with heavy sarcasm. “Side note—I’m really digging this hot-for-teacher look you’ve got going on with the sexy glasses and high ponytail. Too bad you’re going to look this way when your ninety and single with that kind of attitude!”
Even Valerie can’t contain her laughter at that comment. I do have to agree with Shane though on the subject of how my sister looks. She has a certain sex appeal in her work attire. She’s gorgeous with her light-blonde hair and ice-blue eyes—the complete opposite of what I look like. Nobody guesses we’re sisters when they first meet us, but our bond is as tight as if we were twins.
Shane looks between the two of us, shaking his head in silence. “I’m done with this conversation, as it’s giving me heartburn and now I need a drink.” He gives Valerie and me a kiss on our cheeks and looks one more time at us both. “It’s a shame, really. Two of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen, single as the day they were born. Aly, I do hope you change your mind about calling Gavin. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, he leaves us and goes back inside.
Valerie and I walk to our cars in silence, both of us deep in thought. Shane’s words repeat over and over in my brain. What do I have to lose by calling Gavin? Sure, it goes against my policy of not dating musicians, but every cell in my body is screaming that he seems different and to give him a chance. The memory of his handsome face with those intense eyes demanding I call him causes me to shiver, a smile creeping up on my lips, because I actually liked that he demanded I call him.
Give him a chance, Aly! You’ve got nothing to lose.
Oh sure, just my heart if he breaks it into a million pieces.
A phone call is harmless and doesn’t mean anything.
“You aren’t seriously going to call him, are you?” Valerie’s question interrupts my internal debate with myself. I look over at her to see she’s waiting outside of her open car door, and I realize we didn’t even say goodbye to each other, since I was lost in my own thoughts. I take a deep breath and flash her a bashful smile, knowing she isn’t going to like my decision.
“Of course I am,” I confirm, giving her a playful wink. Feeling high with adrenaline and confidence, I pull out my phone and type in his number. While his phone rings, I blow her a kiss goodbye and get into my car to start the engine. My Bluetooth picks up the call and I start to think I’ll be leaving a voicemail when he suddenly picks up on the fourth ring.