I’d only heard of the restaurant Nobu. When we stepped inside it didn’t disappoint. The place was decorated for a party. There were balloons in every corner and covering the ceiling. This was my first album release party. I had to distance myself from Jagger and we couldn’t hold hands or show any affection. It wouldn’t be a problem for me. I expected it. I was prepared for social distancing.
After thirty minutes of mingling, I grabbed myself a drink of white wine. I scanned the room and I saw a few young actors and actresses. I spotted a young British guy from a Marvel movie. There were a few people I recognized in the music industry. I spotted a judge from The Voice but I couldn’t remember his name. I eyed a few supermodels but they were too young for me to remember their names. I knew their faces but that was only because they were the offspring of famous parents that were in my age range.
I took a sip from my wine glass and made my way to a table that Jagger had reserved for us. I sat alone hoping no one would try to talk to me. The skimpy short dress had a lot a male eyes gawking in my direction.
I wanted to finish my glass of wine to loosen me up before I mingled. I didn’t think I fit in here but if someone asked what I did for a living I could say I was an editor. Maybe they would think it was for a fashion magazine and I would be considered cool. I hadn’t finished my wine when Jagger’s manager made his way over to the table. Glynn smiled down at me before he sat next to me without an invitation.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“It’s nice.” That was the truth. The party was nice, lots of beautiful people dressed in expensive clothes, smiling, chatting and looking flawless. Absolutely no one in this room woke up like this. They had to work to look this way, me included.
“These industry functions are boring and a bit of a show.”
“It’s fine,” I assured him.
“You guys were out all day.” Oh, so he noticed we fled the compound. I giggled to myself.
“We were out.” I smiled. I didn’t want to share anything with Glynn about Jagger and me. I didn’t know if I could trust him.
“Where’d you guys go?”
“Ask Jagger.” I snapped in three syllables. I reigned myself in. “I’m sure he’s dying to tell you.”
“Oh, I will. I will. I wasn’t trying to pry.”
“I know, I know. It’s just I know how to keep my mouth shut without signing an NDA.” I gave him the side-eye.
“Just doing my job.” He shook his head up and down before he showed me all his teeth. “You know what? I like you. I get it now. I understand why Jagger is infatuated. You’re not just pretty on the outside. You’re witty and smart and he says you’re into books.”
“Nothing wrong with being witty, smart and into books.” I know good and goddamn well he knew I was a book editor. Of course there was a background check done on me.
“Nothing at all. I thought you two would’ve gone your separate ways after Galena. With the age difference, I just thought he was having a crisis.” Goofy Glynn was trying to be funny but I was going to keep it cute.
“A crisis?”
“You know about his mother, right?”
“I know she died. I’m not sure what that has to do with me.”
“Well, nothing I suppose.” He shrugged.
I was getting tired of strangers bringing my age into the conversation like they had some right.
“Look, Katrina, I have nothing against you at all. I think you’re good for our boy. I don’t know if he would’ve stayed clean way out there in Podunk town USA without you. And yeah, the age thing jumped into my mind. I was thinking he was having some mommy issues. I mean who doesn’t have them. My wife is ten years younger than me. She married me because she has daddy issues. It’s not like I look like Channing Tatum. I’m nothing special.”
Something inside me bubbled to the surface of my skin. I felt the residual sting of my tattoo. I turned my entire body toward Glynn. I wanted to tell him all the way off. I looked over his shoulder and I caught Jagger’s eye. He was talking to a record executive. I couldn’t remember the guy’s name.
I didn’t have to speak for Jagger to read me. My handsome guy cut through the dense crowd and made his way toward Glynn and me.
“Have you had too much to drink?” I asked Glynn before Jagger could reach us.
“No, why do you say that?”
“You just told me your wife has daddy issues.”
Just then Jagger tapped Glynn on his shoulder. “Glynn, are you talking my girl’s ear off?” Jagger bent down in the space between his manager and me.
“Y, ye, yes, yes I am.” Glynn stammered. He was caught off guard by Jagger’s stealthy approach. Six foot four and he moved like a leopard.
“Glynn, you know you’re a trifle bit of a bore.”
“I admit. I am.” Glynn tried desperately to recover. “I’m going to go over and bore the shit out the head of A & R.”
“Sounds like a bloody good plan. He probably needs some new talent. You’re always on the lookout for a hot new artist.”
“Of which I have none. Time for me to mingle.”
We both watched Glynn scurry off like a rat, a rat with good intentions I suppose. He was the one that made sure Jagger stayed clean. He was also the one that and forced Jagger into rehab in Galena. I probably should like that man. But the jury was out on Glynn Ross.
“Babe, how are you doing? Do you hate all these people yet?”
“No, not yet.” God, this man’s smile was contagious. His
