Page 117 of Fauxmance

As he was passing by, Santino turned to me once more.

"Be careful with him, okay, Magnolia?" he said quietly. "Hayden's heart isn't as untouchable as he wishes it was."

I nodded. "I will be. Don't worry."

Once the three were gone, Hayden looked to me.

"What'd he say?" he asked. "Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not," I said.

"Santino is such a little punk."

"He seems nice to me," I said. "They all do."

Hayden stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I really hope you like the show, Maggie. This means a lot. Youbeing here."

I gave him a smile. "I wouldn't have missed it. I've been wanting to see you and your band since the day we met."

"Hope we don't disappoint."

"I'm sure you won't," I said. "Hey, I just realized something. What's your band called anyway? You never told me the name."

Hayden's eyes dimmed. "HERS," he said.

I didn't understand his reaction, but I smiled. "Your band is called 'HERS'? That's awesome. Where did it come from?"

He shrugged. "The first letters of our first names. It's an acronym."

"Ah," I said, "like 'N SYNC."

"Who?"

"It's this boy band from waaay back in the day."

"Then no," he said. "Not at all like 'N SYNC."

"Whatever you say."

Hayden's lips lifted in a grin. "We don't do choreographed dances or wear costumes. Our band is nothing like a boy band, Maggie."

Just then Santino whistled, and when we looked to the stage, he'd donned a purple fedora, matching cape/faux fur coat, and was pointing at his wrist to indicate the time but instead of a watch, he wore several shiny rhinestone bangles. I looked back to Hayden with a grin.

"You were saying?" I said.

"Okay," he said, "Santino could totally be in a boy band."

"I'd say he's more Freddie Mercury."

"He would love to know you just made that comparison."

"Feel free to tell him," I said.

Lifting up onto my toes, I gave him a kiss on the cheek, and Hayden looked down at me in surprise.

"For luck."

"Thanks," he murmured. "I'll see you after the set."

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