Page 27 of Loving Carter

When neither man says anything, I finally ask, “So what are the choices?”

Gabe starts explaining what the various types of bands in the area are. “I’ve written about all these groups, and they’re good. Each one plays a specific type of music.”

“So you review bands?” I ask.

Gabe pulls out his phone. “Yes, I review bands, and the ones I’m going to recommend play favorites along with original music, which is terrific. Not only will your crowd be entertained, but the bands also will have a chance to sell their new music.”

Just as he’s about to describe the first band, Carter jumps up like a snake bit him. Gabe and I both jump a little, we’re so startled.

“Sorry. I’ve got to run home for a second,” Carter says, backing away from the table. “I’ll be right back.”

Then before Gabe or I can do anything except stare at him with our mouths open, he sprints to the back. I’m still stunned when I hear the back door open and shut.

“That wasn’toddat all,” Gabe says dryly.

I laugh and shake my head. “What is with him?”

“Haven’t a clue. He insisted I discuss these bands with the two of you in person. I would have told him no if he wasn’t such a good friend. But now I’m starting to wonder if he has an ulterior motive.”

I’m confused. “What do you mean? Do you think he wants me to handle the bands all by myself?”

Gabe slowly shakes his head. “No. I think it’s something else.”

“Like what?”

He leans forward a little. “Skylar, I think Carter is trying to fix us up.”

I blink.What?

“No. I’m sure Carter wouldn’t do that to me,” I maintain, even as a small seed of doubt starts to grow in my mind. “Would he?”

Gabe shrugs and looks unconcerned. “I thought he wouldn’t try to fix me up either, but now that I think about this meeting and all the questions he asked me before, I can’t come to any other conclusion.”

Carter wouldn’t do this to me, would he? I mean, he knows how I feel about blind dates, and he’s always been on my side. “I’m sure he wouldn’t,” I say firmly, even though I don’t believe myself.

“You’re probably right,” Gabe says with a shrug. “But if he is trying to fix us up, I’m sure his intentions are good.”

“Good by whose standards?”

Gabe doesn’t answer for a few moments, and when he does, he says, “He probably wants you to be happy.”

I stare toward the door leading to the back room, not sure what I’m looking for. Do I think Carter is going to suddenly reappear and answer all the questions flooding my mind now?

Realizing that we might as well keep going, I mentally push away all my confused thoughts and focus on Gabe. “Let’s talk about the bands.”

“Works for me.”

Gabe starts describing each band to me, who’s in the group, what type of music they play, what songs they’ve written. When possible, he plays one or two of their songs. All the bands are great, but I realize that only some of the music will work for the business expo crowd. The songs need to be upbeat with family-friendly language.

After a little over an hour, I’ve narrowed the choice to three bands. No matter how much Gabe and I discuss these three bands, I can’t pick just one or two.

“I think we should hire all three,” I tell him. “I hope they all agree to perform.”

Gabe is looking at his phone while he texts me some information about each of the bands. “I think they will. I’m happy to contact them for you if you’d like. They know me.”

I love this idea. “Any help is always welcome. It’s great of you to pitch in. You don’t live in Endearing, so you have nothing to gain from the expo.”

He chuckles softly. “I hate to disillusion you, but my motivation is hardly pure. If I get these bands to play the expo, I can attend and write several articles.”

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