Page 101 of Beautiful Distraction

“And that someone knows where they’re staying.” She wigglesher eyebrows at me.

I frown because I really can’t follow. “Who?”

“Mile High.”

Oh, God.

“Please don’t tell me you’re planning on stalking them,” Isay. “For God’s sake, you’re a lawyer.”

“No,” she says in that defensive tone of hers that tells meshe’s guilty as charged. “I’m talking about knocking on their door and askingfor an autograph after the concert. What’s the harm?”

I stare at her. “What’s the harm? Mandy, you sound like afrigging groupie.”

She shrugs. “So what? They’re awesome. Getting their phonenumber is a major accomplishment, which I intend to fulfill.”

“Oh, God.” I shake my head. At least she’s not hell-bent onhooking up with them. But I might be wrong on that one.

“Apparently, they’ve been here all along.” She leans closerand lowers her voice conspiratorially. “They’re keeping a low profile, youknow, small venue and all.”

“Ah.” Now that makes sense. At some point, even the greatestegomaniac will get sick and tired of having cameras shoved in their face andscreaming groupies running down their hotel room door. And the band hasn’t metMandy yet. She’s as obsessive as a fan can be. I wouldn’t be surprised at allif the evening ended with a restraining order.

“I still have no idea why you want to see them,” I say withthe enthusiasm of a grumpy turtle. “They’re not even singing live. Everyoneknows that.”

“Because it’s my opportunity to get to meet them,” Mandysays. “Hello? Did you hear a word I said? Good tickets. Small venue. I knowwhere they’re staying. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and you’recoming with me. I want to find out everything about them.”

I glare at her.

Apparently, everything about those guys is a huge secret,starting with their identities and the heavy eye makeup that makes them looklike a badass copycat version of Green Day.

“But first, you really need to change.” Mandy takes a deepbreath and lets it out slowly, her annoyance with me obvious. “They’ll neverinvite us backstage if I’m being accompanied by—”

“The not-so-hot friend?” I raise my brows, amused.

“No. I’d never say that.” She looks appalled. “I was goingto say ‘frumpy’.”

“Frumpy? As in dowdy, dull, homely?” I laugh out loud andalmost choke on my laughter at the mortified expression on her face.

“I didn’t mean—”

Oh, I’m going to hold this one against her for the rest ofher life. She’s always excelled at putting her foot in her mouth. “I know. Juststop.”

“Are you going to make an effort?” She squeezes my handimploringly. “Please. Just once in your life show a little bit of enthusiasmfor Mile High, even if it’s fake. Please.”

“Gee, I didn’t realize this means so much to you.” I heavean exaggerated sigh. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”

“And you’ll pretend you’re a fan?”

”Now you’re pushing it.”

“Thanks.” She ignores my annoyed look as she heads for thedoor, then stops as soon as she’s reached it. “By the way, where’s our hothost?”

“Who?”

“Um. The guy you fucked all week.”

How does she even know that?

“If you’re talking about Kellan, he left,” I remark dryly.“He said something about business.”

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