“I think your friend seems to be getting along pretty well with mine,” he laughed, nodding toward the booth where the two were sucking face.
I grinned. “Yeah, I think that’s a safe assumption to make.”
“Need a refill?” He motioned to my empty glass, and I nodded, thanking him and following him back to the bar. Grace eyed me over the guy’s shoulder and gave me a thumbs up as the guy she was making out with nibbled at her neck. I couldn’t help but laugh at my wild friend.
Devin and I both got another drink and sat at the bar for a bit making idle chit chat. I think he was picking up on the fact that he probably wasn’t going to score tonight with me, but he didn’t seem to mind and was still interested in hanging out. I found it a little refreshing that he didn’t assume buying me drinks meant I owed him something. So, after a bit more chit-chat, I ended up playing his wing man when I spotted another girl eyeing him from across the bar.
“I think she’s checking you out.”
“Huh?” On instinct, he looked around, then looked embarrassed as he had been talking to me. I motioned toward the girl subtly, however, and he looked. “But I’m talking to you.”
“Yes, and you’re a really sweet guy, but I don’t live here and I'll probably never see you again. She might, though. And trust me on this, I’m fairly certain that chick is digging on you and that you should ask her to dance. In fact, if you don't, you might be wasting a really great opportunity.”
A confused expression came over his face, like he was unsure of what to think of my help. “You think I should go talk to her?”
I nodded, giving him an encouraging smile.
“Really?”
“Yes, really! I’ve had a lot of fun dancing with you and chatting, but I think that girl is into you, and like I said, maybe she’s local,” I added. “Trust me, I know that look she's been giving you. I know exactly what it means.”
His eyes lit up.
“But I don’t want to be rude and leave you here alone.”
“I’ll be fine! I promise. I came here to dance, and I got to do that, and I have my drink to keep me company until those two are ready to go. I just have too much on my mind right now to think of doing anything else. Besides, something tells me that even though you might feel like sticking around here for quite a bit longer, those two are gonna be ready to leave pronto.” I motioned back toward Grace and his friend.
He laughed, then asked one more time if I was sure. I nodded and watched him get up and talk to the other chick. She gave him a wide, inviting smile and placed her hand on his chest as she laughed at something he said. Oh yeah, that girl would be much more appreciative of his efforts tonight than I would.
Twenty minutes later, Grace came up and grabbed my arm, the guy she’d been sucking face with behind her, arms wrapped around her waist. “This is Jackson, by the way.” She had a giddy look on her face that I had to fight not to laugh at. It was clear her mission had been accomplished. She’d found an acceptable suitor to keep her company for the night and was ready to get out of there and take care of business. “You ready to go?”
“Yep, let’s go.”
“Where’d Devin go?” Jackson asked. I nodded toward him and the other girl, already kissing on the dance floor.
“I think he’ll be fine,” I said as he glanced in our direction. I gave him a thumbs up, and he grinned. “Oh yeah, he’ll be just fine.”
Jackson made his way over to Devin and had a few quick words before the three of us headed out of the club, this time walking down the beach to our hotel. Grace and I took off our heels because walking in the sand in heels was a terrible idea. I could just see one of us tripping and going face first in the sand in our tipsy states.
Jackson seemed like a decent enough guy, even for a one-night stand, goofing off and making us laugh on the way back, at one point actually tripping himself by not paying attention. Grace and I giggled at him before she helped him back up and dusted the sand from his ass.
When we reached the hotel, all three of us went up to the room. I went into the bathroom and changed into a comfy t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants then grabbed my iPad. “I think I’m going to head to the lounge area, give you two some alone time,” I told them, slipping on some flip flops.
Grace mouthed a “thank you” and winked at me. I only nodded my head, grabbing my door key on the way out. There were some comfy-looking red couches in a little lounging area on our floor, and I made myself comfortable on one, popping in my earbuds and putting on a movie.
Despite the distraction, my mind wandered to the job possibilities Grace and I had talked about earlier, and I couldn't help but smile. I had a good feeling about it. I wracked my brain, trying to remember the name of the agency Grace had mentioned earlier while we were getting ready, but my mind was still a little foggy from drinking.
It took a few minutes, but I finally remembered: North Star Entertainment Staffing Agency. I Googled their site and clicked the link, looking it over, and found a place to apply for more administrative type roles with musicians and bands. I couldn’t believe I hadn't known before know that jobs like this were an option. I doubted I would get the job, but it couldn’t hurt to apply, and maybe Grace would be able to give me an extra boost to get me noticed. Either way, I decided to apply then and there. After all, I had plenty of time to kill while I was hanging out in the hallway lounge.
Since I was most interested in the positions they offered in tour management, I bluffed here and there on the application, adding a few things to my resume that, if checked out, would fall right through. But I didn’t care. I had to do everything in my power to ensure that they would at least give my resume a second look. Either they would call me or they wouldn’t.
It also had a spot for me to add a headshot. So, I found a good picture one of Grace’s photographer friends had taken of me and uploaded it. It was decent enough.
Once I finished applying, I curled up on the couch, watching the movie and waiting for Grace to give me the all clear. Instead, at some point I drifted off to sleep, thinking about how amazing things could be. A new career, a few connections in the world of music, hell, maybe even a new, rock star boyfriend… Who knew? All things were possible at that moment.
Chapter Five
Owen