“That’s mighty pussy of you, dude,” Jake put in and went back to reading.
If looks could kill, Jake would be DOA.
Yvette drilled him with her gaze. “So, can you talk to her again before we leave?”
“Hell yeah, I am. But I’m not sure what to say to convince her, especially with Mr. Fucking Perfect sniffing around.” And calling her gorgeous. Mark felt like he’d been sucker-punched.
“Listen,” Yvette said. “You gotta try something. As it is, you’re pretty useless.”
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“Have you eaten today? Did you sleep last night?”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” he muttered even as his stomach growled.
“We’re about to embark on our first European tour. I can’t go see Big Ben with a lovesick zombie! Now, we need to do something to woo this girl, at least long enough to get you through our crazy upcoming schedule.”
“I told you, I’m going to talk to her later, when she’s not so busy getting ready for tonight.”
Yvette shook her head sadly. “Men,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I respect any woman with the patience to put up with one of you. Now listen to me. I have a plan.”
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Ruby punched the button to dial Mark’s cell phone number again, and just like the twenty-three other times, he didn’t answer.
“Ruby, we have time for one more drink, and then we need to go.”
Ruby turned away from the floor-to-ceiling window of James Cleaver’s loft. Behind him, a buffet table was elegantly set with an array of colorful appetizers. Holding delicate champagne glasses, people mingled. But what had started as excited conversation at the beginning of the night had turned into hushed, disappointed murmurs.
Mark hadn’t shown up.
As she faced James, her throat was so tight she could barely speak. “I don’t know where they are, James. Something must have happened.”
Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure there was some sort of emergency. Don’t worry about it.”
But panic was racing through her, making her brow tingle with sweat. It was past seven; the Riders were over an hour late.
How could Mark do this to her?
A woman Ruby recognized as the recent benefactor of a huge Napa winery walked by. Ruby had been dying to make a good impression with her; the young heiress was known for throwing totally extravagant parties, and Ruby wanted a piece of the action. But after tonight, she seriously doubted that would be happening.
The room was full of potential high-end clients, and they were all looking at her, waiting for her to produce the Riders out of her ass.
“They’re not coming,” she wanted to say. “And yeah, it’s all my fault. It’s all my fault because I trusted a fucking musician!”
Instead Ruby smiled at the guests as James led her to a leather sofa. Sitting next to her, he said, “I know it’s not your fault the band didn’t show up.”
“I take full responsibility for this, James. Consider this party compliments of Umbrella Events.” She nearly cringed when she said the words; the catering bill was more than she’d earned all month. But she felt she owed it to James. After all, he’d paid for a preparty with the Riders, and she hadn’t produced them.
He shook his head. “No way I’m letting you foot the bill. Besides, I’m still enjoying myself. Very much.” He smiled, and even if it didn’t melt her insides the way Mark’s smile did, it was a nice smile nonetheless.
“Well, I’m just sorry about this, but rest assured. They’ll be at the party tonight.” Even if she had to track them down and drag their asses there herself.
“I’m not worried about it, gorgeous. I’m just enjoying sitting next to the most beautiful girl in the room.” With a grin that was getting cuter by the second, he plucked two glasses from a passing server and handed her some champagne. “Now, don’t worry. Everyone here will get their chance to meet the Riders later, right?”
Ruby nodded and tried to ignore the feeling of dread that was creeping through her body.
Later, at the venue, Ruby managed to avoid Mark. She was too angry to speak with him, or any of the band, so she went about her job, letting Meg deal with any stage issues that arose.
Now, Ruby watched from the upper balcony as the Riders finished their fourth song of the night. They’d arrived on time, and if the band held any resentment over playing the private party, they didn’t show it. They performed with all the enthusiasm and passion she’d seen in them that first night, and the audience’s excitement seemed to only rev them up.