Page 66 of Hidden with a Rockstar
The line goes very quiet. “Really?”
“Dad nodded.”
A long breath. “I’ll think about it,” Jani says. “I might give him a call. But no promises.” Then, lighter, steering hard away before it can undo her: “Anyway. More importantly. When can I meet you and Rhonda together?”
“Soon,” I say.
“Soon. You keep saying soon. You do realise our two bands hang out every now and then? I’m being a gracious, patient sister and you are not appreciating it.”
“You’re the least patient person I have ever met.”
She sighs. “Fine. But come to the band’s joint Christmas dinner—its at Sandy and Erica’s new place, both bands will be there, It’s half a housewarming party and half a launch party for the Belladonnas’ single.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“It’ll be wonderful. And you’ll finally meet Riley.”
“Oh my gosh. Of course.”
Marnie: There’sSirens acoustic set Friday. It’s going to be at a tiny wine bar, forty seats, super intimate. No pressure, but if you don’t come I will be so angry.
I stare at it for a long moment.
Me:I’m in.
Marnie:WAIT. Really. You never say yes anymore. I’m so happy I can cry.
Ravita: It’s a miracle!
Me:I’m saying yes.
Marnie:YAY! Is it deranged that I’m nervous to see your sister again. She’s your SISTER and also so cool.
Ravita: I think she’s my favourite now.
Me:She’s just Jani.
Marnie:I will not be normal. See you Friday.
The Sirens acoustic set is in a wine bar with forty seats, and we don’t sit in any of them—because Jani has parked us on the little reserved bench three feet from Riley’s stool. “Sisterly abuse of power,” she called it, delighted. Ravita has not stopped vibrating since we walked in.
“I’m going to be normal about this,” Marnie announces, gripping my arm. “I am going to be so normal.” She is not normal about it. When Riley counts in the first song, Marnie makes a sound like a kettle. When Jani catches my eye mid-set and mouths hi to my friends, Ravita nearly goes off the bench.
Afterward Jani comes out, hugs me for two seconds, then stands there with her arms crossed while the two of them talk at her for twenty minutes. She answers in the fewest words each question will take, and she doesn’t smile once—but she doesn’t leave, and she doesn’t tell them to stop, which from Jani is a love letter. At some point Marnie turns to me, eyes shining, and whispers, “Your sister is so cool and I would die for her,” and I laugh, because that’s the correct response to Jani.
At work I'm alone at my table, eating the salad I brought from home.
Then Ravita arrives with two coffees.
She sets one on my side of the table without being asked. She doesn't say anything about it. She sits down and opens her salad and starts talking about her clients, some logistical nightmare with a rebrand they're working on.
"Font choices are killing me," Ravita says. "Client wants modern but not too modern. Professional but not boring. How is that even—" She stops. She looks at me. "You're smiling."
"I just missed this."
"Missed what?"
"Our conversations, I feel like I can finally be honest." I pick up the coffee. It's still hot. She must have gone to the coffee bar right before coming here.
