Page 20 of The Librarian and the Rock Star

She looked shocked. “Damn.” She sized me up, then grinned. “You must be a little older than you look. That’s great, actually. Jack could really use some positive energy in his life right now.”

“Why right now? Is this a strange time for him?” I didn’t mean to pry, but I was always on a quest for information.

“Yeah,” Kelly seemed to ponder whether or not she should say anything to me. “I’ve been trying to increase fan engagement and on

line presence, and it’s been an uphill battle.” She stopped herself before she said anything further. “But perhaps having you as a good influence will help,” she smiled warmly.

I shrugged. “All I can do is make suggestions.”

“Yes, but suggestions from outside sometimes carry a lot more weight than suggestions from inside the group, you know what I mean?”

I nodded. A strange crunchy yell reverberated inside the room. Kelly laughed. “That’s his last one, he’ll only be a moment.”

Sure enough, about thirty seconds later, the door opened and Jack came out. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he immediately overwhelmed me with a giant bear hug and a huge smacking kiss on the lips. Then he realized we weren’t alone. “You’ve met Kelly, the lovely lady who keeps us all in line?”

“Indeed, she obviously has her work cut out for her.” I winked at Kelly. She waved her phone at us as she left for the loud room. “Catch you guys later. Jack, don’t forget the super quick interview with that fan website I told you about.”

His eyes tightened but he faked a smile. “You promised,” she said, wagging her finger at him like an irritated mother. It was extra cute since she was barely five foot two, and Jack must be at least six foot three.

“Yes, Kelly. I’ll be good,” he called as she turned the corner.

“What’s this interview about?” I asked.

“Hi. How are you? How was your day?” he asked pointedly with a grin.

“Sorry. I always focus on work first.” We were standing in a hallway holding hands like a couple of lovestruck teenagers. “My day was fine. I did a little lounging, a little research, and I found a purse I had forgotten about. Good times. How was your day?”

He shrugged. “Pretty chill. Nice hotel. Got a bunch of writing done.”

“Lyrics?”

“Yes, but also a story for the blog.” He looked rather proud of himself. “I made a deal with Kelly that I’d send her two or three stories a week, if she would please proofread them, and she can be the one who decides whether or not they’re good for the band image or whatever.”

“Perfect! You get to do the fun part – capture the stories and tell them in your own voice.”

“I guess so.” He looked a little doubtful. “At least it’s something. I’ve been afraid to do anything online for a long time.” His odd pause raised many questions for me, but now was not the time.

“So, the interview?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s an online Toronto rock website, run by fans.”

“Volunteers who really run the site so that they get to meet rock stars.”

He looked a bit puzzled. “You think?”

“Positive. Fan volunteers are the heart and soul of many publications and websites. The best thing you can do is be charming as hell, take photos with them, and give them swag. They have no money, and they’re in it for the perks. Do you have any T-shirts or CDs?”

Jack grabbed his phone and typed fast. “I’m asking Kelly to bring us a couple of things, whatever is handy.”

“Us? Am I going too?”

“Oh,” he looked uncomfortable realizing he hadn’t actually asked. “Do you mind?”

“I’m kidding! Sure I’d love to join you.” His face softened into relief, the angles of his cheekbones catching the harsh hallway light in a way that made him look even more sculpted.

Kelly came toward us, walking very quickly with a plastic bag, which she handed over. “Here are three CDs and two shirts – a medium and an extra large. It’s all I could grab at the moment.”

“Great,” Jack said. “Thanks so much.”

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