“Well, there are other single guys in the band…” That gives me an idea. “Why don’t you meet us at a show or something?”

“Are you serious?” I can hear the excitement in her voice.

“Totally serious. I know how much you wanted to get back stage and meet the guys before, so I figure I kind of owe you.”

I get my laptop from my bag and pull up Black Falcon’s tour schedule. We pick the next Texas tour date on the schedule, so Aubrey can see her folks plus visit me and the band on the road.

My phone chirps again, and I snatch it off the table. It makes me jump when it rings in my hand.

I click the green button and say, “Why, if it isn’t my favorite stalker.”

Noel laughs into the phone, and I wish it didn’t make me smile. “That’s right, baby. You’re looking really sexy in that black lingerie while lying on your bed. I’m so glad I have the perfect spot to see into your bedroom window from this tree.”

I glance down at the over-sized t-shirt and socks I’m wearing. “You’d be sadly disappointed if you actually saw what I wear to bed.”

“You know, clothes are overrated as far as I’m concerned. I’m good with you totally doing away with them when you visit me.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Noel...” I say his name like a warning.

Aubrey looks over at me and rolls her eyes. “I’m going to bed,” she whispers. “We can watch this movie some other time.”

“Goodnight,” I tell her before she closes herself in her bedroom.

“Telling your boyfriend goodnight, are ya?” Noel asks, his voice tight.

My heart pauses and then restarts within a second. I grab the pillow from the couch and hug it tight against my body. “What boyfriend?”

A loud moan of a woman in the throws of passion sounds in the background. Is he actually watching porn while he’s talking to me? There’s a rustling noise on Noel’s end of the line and then the sound of a door closing.

“Noel?” I ask, afraid I’ve lost him.

“Sorry,” he says, “I had to close the door. This tour bus gets crazy after a show. I can barely hear you.”

I shake the images of topless groupies out of my head. “Yeah. Sorry. What were you saying?”

He tsks playfully. “I was asking you about your boyfriend. It’s cool if you don’t want to tell me about him.”

I laugh. He’s being ridiculous and reminds me a little of his old self. “You know I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Good thing. I’d hate to have to hop a plane at this time of night just to kick his ass for messing around with my girl.”

I smile and chew on my bottom lip. His forwardness is kind of cute. I’ll give him that. “I’m not your girl, Noel.”

“Not yet, but soon,” he says. His confidence is disgusting. “You know I haven’t even thought about sleeping with another girl since the other night.”

I grin and poke fun at his comment. “Me either.”

He chuckles. “I’m so glad you haven’t thought about being with any other girls. Chicks would be stiff competition for me. Although, I won’t say I wouldn’t like to watch that.”

I shake my head. Same old Noel—always a jokester. This little innocent flirting game he wants to play seems fairly harmless and if it keeps me in his good graces, then I’ll play along. “You know what I meant. Besides, you’re the only stiff competition I like.”

He groans into the phone. “That’s it. Where’s my private jet? The word stiff coming out of your mouth is enough to send me over the edge here.”

We are both quiet for a couple seconds. Jokes aside, I know he’s trying to be serious. He’s trying to test me. The line between our new business relationship and our old love life isn’t clearly defined. It’s not entirely his fault, either. I find myself looking forward to his calls and texts. Shouldn’t I be dreading them?

He sighs into the phone. “Have you packed?”

I glance at my bedroom and think about the half full suitcase on my bed. “Nearly finished.”

“Lane,” he says, hesitation in his voice. “I know you’re having second thoughts about this, but I told you, you won’t be my direct employee. You work for a real marketing firm—a huge one. This looks great on your resume. Let me help you put that hard earned marketing degree to use. Everyone who gets these kinds of jobs knows someone to get their foot in the door.”

Deep down, I know Noel is right. Center Stage Marketing is one of the largest firms in New York. His offer, to be in charge of promoting his children’s literacy charity is amazing. The only problem is the tour. I’m stuck with him everyday. But, honestly can’t think of a way around it. He made it clear if I want this job, this is the stipulation. “I’ll be ready.”

“Yeah?” I don’t even need to see his face to know he’s smiling. “That didn’t take as much convincing as I thought it would.”

“Well, you know, I would still be an intern if it weren’t for you. I would like to be able to pay my own rent for a change. Begging my mom to cover it while I intern majorly sucks. But, if it weren’t for her, Aubrey would’ve kicked me out of this place two years ago.”

“Having money is nice,” he agrees. “I remember all too well what being a starving artist is like.”