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I nodded with eagerness. “I know everything about this performance! Everything down to Remington’s lucky underwear color.”
Daniel laughed over my pathetic fangirl blubbering, probably having heard it a million times before.
“I wouldn’t worry about that. I doubt they’ll be on by the end of the night.” He winked. “Would you be willing to fuck a stranger?” He kicked away from the shelf, and a bag of chips fell to the floor.
My body moved back again, suddenly weary because of his strong words. My mind caught up a moment later, and my fingers clutched the tickets until the tips turned white. For a second, I contemplated if it was worth it—screwing this guy so I could meet the one I really wanted.
But I couldn’t do it.
“I don’t want to sleep with you.” I stretched the tickets across the distance between us, my arm shaking with the weight of disappointment as I waited for him to take them. “I—”
Daniel cut me off, edging in closer with his hands up in surrender. “No. I didn’t mean me. And I don’t want them back. Quit waving them around. Lots of other people would happily take them from you if they knew what they were.”
My eyes wandered, wondering who in this store would most likely be a common thief. The little old lady hunched over her walking stick, the three teenage boys perving over Playboys near the cash register, or the couple picking out snacks for their movie night. There were no teenage girls, which would be the obvious threat, but I wasn’t taking chances. Remington had a timeless voice, and judging by the number of vehicles and stores playing his stuff, people of all ages liked it.
I popped the tickets in my purse, concealing them in an inside pocket with a noisy zipper.
“Anyway, as I was saying, lots of musicians like to let off a little steam afterward, and sex is usually the steamiest thing they can do. I was just wondering what you’d do if it were you he’d choose?”
Was jump his bones an acceptable answer? I didn’t know, and I didn’t know much about sex, either. So, I took a moment, contemplating, then scantily nodded.
“First time nerves?”
My head dipped. Shame was a heavy burden as I wondered if all sexually experienced people could sniff out that I was the opposite.
“Your innocence will be adored.” Daniel laughed, moving away from me again. The guy was like a human yoyo, for crying out loud.
He moved farther this time, stopping before he got to the door. The light through the cluttered window hit him in a way that emphasized the appeal many would see in him.
But I couldn’t see him that way—only my Remi.
“What was your name? For the list,” he called back.
“Cat. Catharina Sutter.” My name flew out of my mouth, planting itself on the top of his list.
“And your friend’s? Or, should I just put and guest?”
“My sister. My sister will come with me. Her name is Rhylie.”
“Beautiful.” His smile matched the word. “I’ll see you and Rhylie next Saturday, Catharina Sutter. I’ll meet you at the door.”
Chapter 43
Catharina
It had taken a full week of me begging Rhylie to attend. A full week of trying to convince her that selling the after-party tickets wasn’t a better idea than attending.
And she still didn’t look convinced, not bothering to get off her bed—that she was lucky to have—and get ready when I started. I, on the other hand, had hogged the shared bathroom for far too long.
Faded green tiles surrounded me, but I didn’t see them as my breath fogged the peeling mirror, my mouth hanging in an o-shape to apply a second coating of mascara. I’d opted for brown, nothing too harsh for my eyes. I tightened the lid and tossed it into my inherited makeup bag. The lady who’d gifted me the magazine had donated me more gifts. She had no reason to use makeup anymore. She no longer needed it to hide the bruises her husband gave her.
I glided a puffy brush along a nude pink blush and swiped it over the apples of my cheeks.
I looked nothing like the girls in magazines. But my skin glowed with a sun-kissed shimmer, and the pink added a feminine touch. I felt good. Good enough to mingle with the rich and famous.
I packed my stuff into the yellow makeup bag, stained by various products that lived inside. I found Rhylie in the background of my view when the fog faded, allowing me to look over myself again. She wasn’t dressed, standing in her comfies, which were also inherited.
That poor woman must have felt like she now had five kids.
