I couldn’t imagine how complicated everything would have been if I’d been pregnant or if we’d had a child. I wasn’t going to plague myself with what ifs though. I knew one thing. “I’d like to be a mother one day. If I can’t have a child of my own, I’d happily adopt. There are so many kids out there that need a home.”
“Maybe you should look into it when we get back. See what it would take for you to adopt. You don’t have to wait for a man to be in your life.”
Logically I knew that. I wanted a man and a child, but just because I wanted them didn’t mean I had to do them in order.
“Why are you so damn smart?”
“I just am.” She giggled. “But seriously, if you want a family, you don’t have to wait for a man.”
“I’m going to give myself until the end of the year because I can’t imagine writing a book while going through the process. I want to be able to devote all of my headspace to it.”
“Now that we slept almost the entire flight and won’t need a nap, what should we do until tonight?”
“Why don’t we walk around and check out the architecture, maybe do a little shopping, and then head to the Red Light District?”
“I knew there was a reason we were friends,” Lexie laughed.
Several hours later, Lexie and I were crammed into the front section of the venue, jumping around as Crimson Heat belted out their encore. They were good. Better than good, and I knew after this tour, they were going to blow up the world with their music.
As the song started to slow, Lexie grabbed my hand. “We should try to make our way backstage now before things get too crazy,” she yelled over the music.
I nodded in agreement and let her lead the way since I had no idea where I was going. Neither did she, but she certainly acted like it. We were stopped by a big burly man who was half as wide as the hall. Lexie flashed her badge and smile and then picked up mine to show. The guy didn’t speak. He only nodded and moved enough to let us slip by.
Lexie and I moved quickly down the hall. Our excitement built off the others as we spotted Pen standing off to the side with big headphones on. She hadn’t seen us yet. We moved to the other side of the hall and slinked down it slowly, hoping she wouldn’t turn around and catch us until we were directly behind her. Lexie clapped a hand over her mouth as her body shook, trying to hold in her laughter.
Sneaking up behind Pen, I placed my hand on her shoulder. She turned around with a pinched face until she took us in standing before her. Mouth hanging open, Pen pulled me into her arms and hugged me until I couldn’t breathe. Next, she gave Lexie a hug before taking a step back and looking us over as if she couldn’t believe we were standing before her.
Jumping up and down in place, Pen yelled. “What are you guys doing here?”
“We thought we’d come and surprise you since it’s been forever since we saw you.”
“And to meet your man,” Lexie supplied.
“Shh,” Pen hushed her. “Don’t let anyone hear you say that. We’re keeping it on the down-low. The only ones who know are you two and Walker’s bandmates because they found us in a compromising situation.”
“Sounds exciting.” I winked at her.
“Try embarrassing. Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here. Did you see the concert?” Lexie and I both nodded. “Aren’t they great? Everyone overseas loves them, and Titan keeps putting more dates on the tour. I’m just…” She looked back in the direction she’d been looking when we surprised her.
“It’s your baby. You’re proud of them,” I finished for her.
“I really am. They’re about ready to come off stage. Please don’t say anything. I’ll introduce you to them once we’re back in the green room. And then...how long are you here for?”
“We fly back tomorrow, so you only have us for tonight,” I pouted. “Are you happy to see us?”
Pen rolled her eyes as she pulled me to her side. “Of course, I’m happy to see you. Never in my wildest dreams did I think you’d fly to see me.”
“Well, I missed you. Plus, I wanted to procrastinate on this book, and visiting you is the perfect excuse.”
“Ha, ha. I told the band I now know a famous author, so don’t make me a liar.”
“Thanks for the pressure.” As if there wasn’t enough after my first book did so well.
“Did your husband come?” Pen asked, looking around.
“No, I thought it was best if this guy you’re seeing or whatever you are,” Lexie amended after Pen gave her a sour look. “No guy wants to see his woman drooling over another man.”
“You two are full of jokes tonight, aren’t you?” The loud sound of the crowd erupting had us all go quiet. Pen smiled and then motioned for us to follow her. “Stay here, or you’ll likely get run over. They are full of energy when the show is over.”
One by one, we watched as the band walked by us. They each gave Pen a greeting before they proceeded down the hall. Walker moved by only muttering Pen’s name, giving nothing away.
Once he was a few feet past us, Pen turned to us. “Are you ready to meet Crimson Heat?”
“Oh, I’ve been ready for quite some time,” I told her as we started walking.
Stopping in front of a closed door, Pen turned to us. Her hands were clasped together as she spoke. “Please don’t embarrass me. I have to be on the road with these guys, and they’ll use any ammunition you give them against me.”
“I guess there goes our plan,” Lexie said as she went for the
