Page 47 of Love on Tour
“So soon? You’ve only been here a couple of hours. You seem a little unsociable. And taciturn.”
Christine laughed so loudly that she started to cough. “Taciturn? What the hell?”
“I couldn’t find any movies to watch a few days ago and ended up withPride and Prejudice. I’ve been dying to use that line. It sounds so . . . I don’t know. British.”
“Pride and Prejudice. You’re a Jane Austen fan?” Christine asked.
“I don’t know. Who’s she?”
“The woman who wrotePride and Prejudice,” Christine said.
“Maybe. Is she attractive?”
“She’s dead.”
“Oh, not so attractive, then. All I know is Keira Knightley’s in it, and she has a rocking bod. And Mr. Darcy is the shit. I want to be like that dude. He’s rich, cool, and in the end, he got the girl.”
“Austin, you never cease to amaze me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Have I convinced you to stay and party?”
Christine looked around the room, spotting Cait’s arm resting lightly around Matt’s waist.
“Nope. Two hours is my limit. Shy of Mr. Darcy walking in and sweeping me off my feet, I’m out of here.”
“Okay. We’ll talk soon. And you know, you can call me now and again. You don’t have to wait to hear from me all the time.”
“I’ll remember that.”
His comment cheered her up, making her feel warm and fuzzy, and a little gutsy. She reached up and kissed his cheek. He surprised her by dipping her down, disco dance style, and kissinghercheek. She giggled loudly. Christine never giggled. When she turned around, Matt was staring with an expression she couldn’t read. She looked away.
She walked over to her friends. “Ladies, I’m out of here. You can leave with me or take an Uber.”
“Oh, I’m totally staying,” Phoebe said, barely glancing in Christine’s direction as she left to take up her spot beside Austin.
“I’m ready to go, but what about Matt? Don’t you want to make your move?” Julianna said.
Christine pointed to where Matt stood with Cait, her arm resting casually around his shoulders.
“Oh, Christine.” Julianna reached for her hand. Christine snatched it away.
“Don’t. I’m barely holding it together, and any affection from anyone will send me over the edge.”
Julianna nodded. “Okay. Let’s get out of here.”
Christine looked across the room to where Matt was. She lifted her right arm and wiggled her fingers at him.
He looked over at Austin, with Phoebe’s arm around him, staking her claim. He looked back at Christine and shook his head. He started to walk toward her and she put her hands up and stopped him with a shake of her head. She couldn’t talk to him any more tonight, knowing he was leaving the party with another woman. She just wanted to get out of there. Cait turned around and looked between Matt and Christine. Christine bolted out the door.
THE NEXT MORNING, CHRISTINElay in bed, cuddled in her sheets, not wanting to move. Her eyes felt puffy, probably from her crying jag. Christine rarely cried, but last night, her heart had felt broken. She allowed herself to wallow until she fell asleep. All she wanted to do was stay in bed.
Her cell phone went off. “Oh, come on. It’s Sunday.” Granted, she should probably be in church. She used to go every week. Her faith hadn’t changed, just her habits. She leaned over and focused on the tiny print on her phone.
It was from Austin.I couldn’t sleep. I need a song and want more to choose from. Do you have anything new to play me?
I do have one I think you’ll really like,Christine said, knowing exactly what song she could play him. It had just come in from one of their writers and she had taken it before any of the other pluggers could get it. She had meant to mention it at the party but was derailed by seeing Matt with another woman.
He said,Want to grab a bite?
