“Fine! I’ll go, but we’re gonna have serious study sessions and Declan’s telling my parents.”
“Done.” I whisper in her ear while kissing on the lobe. She relaxes against me.
“I guess we’re taking a trip to Vegas!”
The room erupts in cheers again and Mike slaps everyone on the back as he shakes our hands. The excitement in the room has very little to do with the trip.
“Raven, can I talk to you a second before y’all leave?” Mike asks Raven when we all get up to leave.
I stay by her side and Kelly remains right by his.
“Listen, I don’t know your work load, but I recently lost my receptionist. I’m looking for a replacement because my mom can only help for so long. Are you interested in a job?”
I stiffen beside her–hell no. Our time together is going to be limited as it is, I don’t want her working.
“Mike, that’s so awesome. But I can’t. I only have a year left and I have a few commitments already lined up. But good news is, I know someone for you.”
“Who?”
“Remember Charlie Bryant? My best friend? She recently graduated from Emory with a Business degree and is looking for a position. She’s probably overqualified for a receptionist, but she could help in other areas if needed.”
“I remember Charlotte. Cute girl with a snarky mouth?”
“Yeah, that’s her.”
“See if she’s interested, and have her call Mom this afternoon to set up a time to meet. If anything, maybe she’d be interested in helping out until I find someone full time.”
Raven leaves the room to call Charlie and I stand with Mike and Kelly reviewing arrangements.
Halfway through the conversation, Kelly breaks in with a semi-professional tone but still an edge to her voice.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but who is that lady?”
Mike laughs out loud and shakes his head at her. “She’s the inspiration for so much that’s about to light us up.”
“She’s the love of my life and my fiancée.” I add.
She huffs out but doesn’t say anything else.
We talk for a few more minutes and then join the group in the lobby. Sometime during our meeting Dan and Jared disappeared.
Mike and Kelly walk me to the reception area where Raven and Mrs. Jacobs have everyone laughing. I walk up to Raven and pinch her ass just to see her reaction. After she jumps up and hits my arm, she smiles sweetly. As if she’s trying to pay me back, she goes straight to Mike and give him a long hug and kiss on the cheek. My instincts are to claim her like a caveman, but I stay back.
When she joins me again saying our goodbyes, I make sure to address Kelly.
“Kelly, will you do me a favor?”
She looks at me with a sickening smirk, “Of course.”
“When you book our room, please don’t book it at Paris.”
The whole room explodes in laughter, including Raven. Poor Kelly knows she’s been left out of a personal joke.
*****
The car ride back to my house is full of chatter. I don’t let go of Raven’s hand the whole way. She keeps asking the guys about the recording session and I let them tell her their version. I was a lost mess, which she already knows.
According to Raven, when she told Charlie about the chance to work for MJ Labels, she screamed. She called and made an appointment for this afternoon to meet with Mike. Their coffee date is rescheduled for Wednesday.