Page 11 of Hard Rock Fling
I hesitated before answering. Did Ian actually care about my answer or was he just looking for another way to needle me?
"I'm a box carrier. Sunglasses fetcher. I'd wanted an internship where I'd be more than coffee maker and errand girl. I'd thought this would be it."
Ian nodded in understanding. "The entertainment industry isn't all glamour and glory like everyone thinks. It was eye opening to see all the grunt work that goes on behind the scenes."
I eyed him, surprised at the comment. "It always kind of annoyed me, actually, that you guys never seem to realize how many people wait on you hand and foot."
The corner of Ian's lips tilted up. "You believe that old stereotype about celebrities ignoring the little people once we get famous?"
"No! I mean, I understand. You have your own jobs to do. Important jobs. You can't be thinking about every menial staff member who helps your careers run like well-oiled machines."
"I'm sure what you do isn't menial."
"Box carrier and sunglasses fetcher, remember? It certainly isn't as important as your job." I leaned back into my chair with a groan. "I know I shouldn't complain. I'm lucky to have an internship at all, let alone one at Etude Entertainment, considering how much competition is out there."
"So modest." He smirked. "I'm sure it wasn't just luck."
"It's not modesty. I know I got lucky. I have friends who also applied, people much more competent than me. I would have been happy for them if they'd been chosen instead."
He trailed one finger through the dark hair framing my face. "Such a sweet girl, aren't you?" My breath hitched. "Are you just as sweet everywhere else?" he murmured, low enough so only I could hear. A flood of warmth hit my gut like a tsunami, then continued downward, centering between my legs.
I swallowed hard and took deep breaths. I needed to get myself under control.
Ian gave me a teasing grin and continued talking as if he hadn't just nearly made me orgasm through words alone.
"I know the feeling. Before August found me and my brother, we were playing…"
He stopped sharply. I blinked at the sudden pause, but he continued speaking seconds later.
"…in this shitty little garage band, going absolutely nowhere. Then here comes August Summers, saying he wants us in his band. I thought I'd fucking died on the spot."
"You've certainly come a long way from a shitty garage band."
"You sound jealous." Ian's eyes sparkled with humor as he leaned forward. "You had dreams of being a rock star when you were a little girl?"
I scooted back in my seat. I couldn't be that close to him without turning into goo.
"No. I'm just really low on the totem pole right now. The lowest possible. I'd hoped by now I'd have a real career, but that doesn't seem to be happening."
I rambled, not thinking about what I was saying before the words left my mouth. Being near Ian was like something flipping theoffswitch for my brain.
"I hate going from one internship to another without any real job offers. I keep calling myself a perpetual intern. It's demoralizing. My sister Faith was never—"
I cut myself off, not wanting to wallow in self pity in front of Ian.
But he just tilted his head, waiting for me to continue. As if he was genuinely interested.
For some reason, I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him all the feelings I'd been suppressing. The look on his face was understanding. Encouraging.
"My sister got hired at an event company right out of school," I blurted out. "She's already been promoted twice. Faith is blasé about her success and never rubs it in, but I can't help feel inadequate next to her. Event Logistics Specialist sounds so much better thanintern."
"You feel jealous?"
"I love my sister. I want nothing but the best for her."
"But…?"
I fiddled with my coffee cup. "I just wish I could be as good at something as she is," I confessed quietly. "That I could be as successful as her."
