Page 29 of Snapdragon

I turn around, moving to the computer to check our cable worked the way I thought it would. Sebastian has stood up now, his grumpy demeanor back in place.

“You know, I’m going to go use the restroom. I’ll be back in a few.” He says, not looking at me. Getting up and leaving the room quickly.

I let out a huge sigh and put my head in my hands. What is wrong with me? My phone dings with a text from Frank:

Date tomorrow. It’s another awards show, red carpet. Sebastian’s nominated for his last album. Car will pick you up at 5 pm.

Well, that puts things right back into perspective for me. This whole thing me and Sebastian have is fake, and I’m letting it get to my head. Letting him kiss me would have been a mistake.

When he comes back, I act super professional. I show him how to take the recordings and then I hop into the sound booth and lay down the piano and some of my vocals.

We switch places and then I do the same for him. Afterwards, I lay it all together as Sebastian sits on the couch and listens. We make sure not to touch or go near one another for the rest of the session.

Chapter 16

The dress that’s been chosen for me tonight is ethereal. The thin wispy layers of tulle are divine. A single sheet would be see-through, but the layers give it opacity. Plus, it’s lined on the bust. The dark raspberry color makes my skin glow, especially as it dips into a low ‘v’ between my boobs.

I twirl a little, watching the sparkles shift in the light. I’m waiting in the lobby to my building, yet again. I feel like whenever I have the team to get me ready, I’m always done way too early. But maybe that has more to do with the fact that my clothes are chosen for me.

When the car finally arrives, I get in quickly. I want to chat to Sebastian quickly about what happened yesterday, put it all behind us. Except it’s not just Sebastian in the car, Matilda is back.

“Oh, hi Matilda!” I sit next to Sebastian. Surprisingly noting that he is sat next to where I normally do. Clearly, the days of sitting as far away from me as possible are gone.

“Hey,” I say, just for him.

“Hello, Sunshine.” He smiles and it’s incandescent. “You look great. I really like this dress on you.”

I’m sorry, who is this male? I blush at his words. He looks great too, in his usual red carpet tux.

“So!” Matilda interrupts our intimate vibe with her chirpy voice. “We’re going to need another shot for socials today.”

She directs us through the motions, like before. This time round, Sebastian is cupping my face and leaning down like he’s about to kiss me. I’m gripping his lapel lightly, my breath heaving, just waiting for the moment to be over.

“Perfect!” Matilda scoots away, scrolling on my phone and making the edits for the post.

Sebastian delicately extracts himself from me. “Sorry about that.” He gives me a little space, but still stays on the same seat as me.

“So,” I clear my throat a little. “My manager told me that you’re nominated for an award tonight?”

“Oh, yeah.” He runs a hand through his hair. “It’s for ‘Album of the Year’, but I don’t think I’m going to win it though.”

I blink at him slowly. “This is only for Monsters?”

He nods, resting an arm on the back of our seat.

“Have you won it before?” I ask, realizing that he has five albums. This might not be his first time winning this award.

“Umm… yeah, I have.”

I roll my eyes, “How many times?”

“Three.” He smiles, bashfully. “I didn’t get it for my debut album.”

I slap him lightly on his shoulder. “Then you deserve to win it for this album too. It’s arguably better than your first four, in my opinion.”

He smiles to himself, preening under my compliment. I can’t help but join him in the smile too.

“So, are y’all dating for real, now?” Matilda quips, staring at us from the other end of the car. I had sort of forgotten she was there for a moment.