Page 142 of Fauxmance

"Thanks for convincing us to come tonight," she said.

I shook my head. "I didn't do anything. And it's not like you haven't seen them play a ton of times already."

"Well…"

If I didn't know better, I'd say that was a blush on her cheeks. It hadn't taken much convincing. I'd simply made sure Constance and Hayden's parents knew about the show and that they were invited. During tea the other day—we had them almost weekly now—Constance admitted that she'd gone to almost every show HERS had ever played. She'd been supporting Hayden's dream all along—even if he had no idea.

"Seriously," I said, smiling, "this is all you, Constance. Hayden was so excited aboutyou guys coming!"

"Yes, but you're the one who got us here," Constance said. "So thank you, Magnolia."

"No thanks necessary. He loves you like you love him. Ooh," I said suddenly, "here comes his solo. Let's go, Hayden!"

I wasn't the only one going wild. As Hayden made that guitar sing, the crowd was right there with me, watching as he owned every note.

Jasmine leaned over to my ear and said, "Your boyfriend can play!"

"Taught him everything he knows," Cole said which earned him an incredulous look from my sister. "What? It could be true."

"Is it?" she asked.

"Well, no…but my friend rocks. So, go Hayden!"

She chuckled, elbowing him lightly in the ribs, then turned back to me.

"He's really something," she said.

"I know." I sighed.

"And he puts that goofy smile on your face." Jas nodded. "I approve."

"Same here," Mom said, clapping along. "Goofy smiles for the win!"

"You guys are hilarious," I said.

"No really," she assured. "He looks at you like that, too."

"He does?"

She nodded, and I couldn't contain my smile if I tried.

"And he's such a red lobster," Izzy shouted over the music.

"That he is," Jas agreed.

"I still don't understand that reference," Mom said as the song came to a close, causing the three of us to laugh.

"Me either," Constance put in. "But I'm assuming it's a compliment?"

I nodded. "Oh yeah, definitely."

"The highest form of praise," Izzy said.

Constance squinted as if she wasn't sure whether or not to believe us.

"It's a whole thing," I said. "Red lobster just means he's gorgeous—though Hayden is so much more than his looks."

"Oh well," she said on a laugh, "then of course he's a red lobster."

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