Page 12 of Down Beat

“But you didn’t know where it was.”

He smiles, and damn it all if that doesn’t make me do so too. Stay strong. I can’t fawn over this guy like every other female on the planet, not when my objective is to make his life hell. Not that I know how I’m going to do that just yet.

“Geography was never my thing,” he explains as Kendall brings their drinks over.

She sets Rey’s down first, and then throws me a sneaky look behind his back before setting Kris’s before him.

“Later,” I mouth while both boys are distracted adding sugar.

She gives me her don’t test me eye, and then leaves.

“Well,” I announce, pushing my empty cup to the middle of the table. “This has been swell, guys, but I really must press on.”

I get halfway to my feet before a strong hand to my thigh shunts me back in the chair. Holy hell, that was intense.

“Sit.” Rey stirs his coffee, eyes on the amber swirl. “I’m not finished with you yet.”

Kris shrugs and then promptly lifts his drink as though I haven’t just been ordered around like one of their staff.

“Last I checked,” I say, “I’m free to leave when I want.”

“Guess you got it wrong, then.” He lifts both eyebrows before shifting his dark eyes toward me. “How many tickets had you sold?”

“A bit over one hundred.”

I avoid his gaze, waiting on the laugh that’s sure to follow.

“How many over?”

To my surprise Rey watches me intently, eager for my answer.

“Nine. I sold one more right before you officially dropped the anvil on my dreams.”

He frowns at my sarcastic smile, and then looks toward Kris. “Rick said he left the top empty, huh?”

“I think so.”

“Cool.” Rey rolls his lips, seeming to think something over. “I’m sure we could swing it.”

“Swing what?” Kris frowns.

“Yeah. What?” I settle back into my seat.

“Don’t you worry yourself, little lady.” He reaches out and bops his index finger on the tip of my nose. “I’ve got you covered.”