I flashed the tickets at her. She frowned, staring at those tickets like she had no idea what they were. Then she tentatively took one from my hand.
When she read that ticket, she squealed and jumped.
“You’re kidding me. How did you get these? And why?”
“I told you, new and improved plans. Now, are you ready to go?”
She threw her arms around me. “You’re the best. You are totally the best. I mean, I knew that before but now you’re the best with awesome Baxters’ tickets.”
All the humiliation had been worth it. Why would I care about some idiot on the phone when I could make my girl this happy?
When we got to the arena, I led her to the VIP door. Our tickets included cocktails with “one or more members of the band” before the show as well as front row seats. I had no idea who the members of the band were. Sure, I’d heard of them but I just had a vague impression of haircuts and squeaky-clean looks.
“Wow, this is swanky as. You should’ve told me. I’d have dressed better. I’m not sure I own anything better but I’d have tried. We get free cocktails?”
“We sure do. Order what you want.”
Her eyes lit up. “Is that Brent Baxter over there? Is it actually him? He’s looking this way. He saw me looking at him. Oh no.”
She buried her face into my shoulder. I grinned to see her act like such a fangirl.
We got drinks and she dragged me into a corner.
“He totally looked at me.”
“Go ask him for a photo,” I said. Normally, I’d be angry if a girl I took on a date had eyes for another man but he wasn’t really what I’d call a man. He was a schoolgirl crush she’d never gotten over. A poster she put on her wall.
He was no threat.
“I couldn’t. I’d be too embarrassed. What would I say?”
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.” I took her by the arm, dragging her across the room. “You’ll regret it if you don’t ask. Anyway, it’s their job.”
“I can’t,” she said, but she totally wanted this.
I walked up to the blonde overtanned guy. “The lady would like a photo.”
She blushed and hid her head against my arm. It was kind of sweet.
“She doesn’t look like she wants a photo.”
“She’s very shy,” I said. “It’s one of her charms.”
She grabbed my arm even tighter. I took my phone out of my pocket and pushed her towards him. She glowed with excitement. I’d never seen her look prettier.
“Smile, Gina.”
Brent Baxter put his arm around her shoulder and she looked up as I took the shot.
“Lovely,” I said. I’d crop him out later.
I took a couple more with her phone.
Then she told him all about how much she loved the band. I had to give him credit, he seemed a nice enough guy. Asked Gina all about her job and her life. She murmured some answers, looking to me for confirmation. Meanwhile, I wondered where the hell that waiter had got to with my cocktail.
“Is this your boyfriend?” Brent asked.
Gina blushed but didn’t say anything.