Jayne takes a seat, "you'll be happy to know, the operation is a go."

I stare blankly at her.

"Hello. Earth to Annika."

"I'm sorry, Jayne. I've been waiting a while to hear the final outcome. I guess I'm just in a bit of shock."

"Well, don't take too long to process it all. The date is set. It's happening."

I swallow hard. "The date?"

"Yes, the date. Are you sure you're okay?" she asks rhetorically, "two weeks from Saturday. The Reading Room."

"Two weeks?" I repeat back, "that's so soon."

"If I had my way, it would have been two weeks ago, but it was a lot to pull together."

"Is that enough time to publicize everything?" I ask, trying to find a reason to put it off.

"It's already been announced. Brianna is tweeting all about it," she rolls her eyes, "The Reading Room isn't a huge venue. Tickets go on sale Wednesday and it will be sold out in a matter of minutes."

"Steele agreed to this?"

"Sure did, hon, otherwise it wouldn't be happening."

"Okay. Then, it sounds great," I say with no enthusiasm.

"I'm getting the feeling that you're not very excited about this."

"I'm used to taking care of my clients, not being a part of the mix. I have mixed feelings about what to expect."

Jayne stands to leave, "how about, expect the worst and hope for the best."

"Thanks for the advice. I guess that's what I'll have to do."

"Don't worry, Annika, I'll be there with you. I'll make sure it all goes as planned. I'll be there for you as a friend too - if you need me."

"That means a lot, Jayne. Thank you again."

She grins, "I'll email you the details and let you know who to contact and what to do.

She leaves my office and I'm left alone with my thoughts again.

Just over two weeks until this all goes down. After seeing that photo of Steele and Jasmine, I don't want any part of it, but it's too late to back out now.

How the hell am I going to make it to then? I pick up my phone and look at the missed call from Steele. I should be adult about this. I should call him and find out how he feels so I know what to expect - but I won't. I'm a coward. I don't want to hear what I already know - that I was a mistake.

No matter how many times I go over it and wallow in my own self pity, it's hard to believe that it's true. I'm a smart girl. I have great intuition. Steele is a rocker, not an actor. I couldn't have read him so wrong, could I? I don't think so. That is - unless I was so blinded by own emotions that I only saw what I wanted to see.

Shit. I'm a mess.

Get yourself together, Annika.

I have to go through with this - like it or not. Steele may or may not love me, but we're not doing this for love. This all started in an attempt to save my reputation, but I haven't heard more than a couple of rumblings about the two of us. It blossomed into a media stunt to help our clients. We're doing this for many reasons. My heart isn't one of them.

I need to take a step back and leave my personal feelings out of this. I'm doing it for my career. I'm doing it to salvage my dignity and help the company I have worked so hard to be a part of.

It's time to put on my big girl panties and take whatever is coming to me. Like it or not, I can't be a coward this time. I got myself into this, I have no choice but to finish what I started.

Chapter 14.

Jayne and I took the flight to northern California together. She made me have a couple of drinks on the way there. She said my anxiety was becoming contagious.

She made me laugh and feel better about the event, but I forgot most of it as soon as we landed. By the time we got to the taxi pick up area, I was a mess again. My father had offered to pick us up, but that would have been awkward. This is supposed to be a business trip. I know Jayne wouldn't have minded, but I didn't want my dad picking my boss and I up from the airport.

The cab drops us off at the hotel and we check into our rooms. The show isn't until tomorrow night, but there's still a lot to be done. Tina will be flying in later with Brianna. I haven't asked about Steele, and Jayne hasn't mentioned him - which I'm guessing is no accident.

Jayne has really taken the reigns on this project, leaving very little for me to do. I would rather be busy, but I'm thankful she's being so supportive. She's aware of how nervous I am about this whole thing. It's pretty unprofessional of me, but that's the beauty of being on a close personal level with your superior.

I contemplated ordering room service, but opted to take a shower, and have dinner in the hotel restaurant instead. I can't stay up in my room by myself. I need to be out, even if I'm alone. I called my father to see if he wants to come and meet me, but his band is playing a private party tonight. He'll be at The Reading Room tomorrow night. Another friendly face in the crowd who will be there to watch my whole life fall apart.

I chose a table by the entrance and ordered a glass of wine and an entree. I scroll through my phone in order to look busy. I'm not a fan of eating out alone, but I've done it many times in my travels.

The waiter brings a bread basket and my wine. The bread is nice and warm so I butter a piece and take a bite. I look around as I sip from my glass and notice the people milling about the lobby. I almost spit out a mouthful when my eyes catch sight of Jasmine.

A rush of heat courses through me. I do not want to make eye contact. Luckily, even though I'm seated near the entrance, she doesn't see me. I guess most of the people that came here just to see the show are staying in this same hotel. There aren't too many decent local options, so I shouldn't be surprised that she's here. At least Steele is not. I casually made sure of that before I agreed to book the rooms here. On the bright side, that means they're not staying together.

I slide down in my chair a bit to remain out of sight. I may not want to see Jasmine, but I'm not going to run back to my room like a coward. She's the main reason I'm in this whole mess.

Well, no, I can't put the blame on her, that would be immature. I got myself into this situation. Having someone that dislikes me find out about it only made it worse. As much as I would like to, I can't put the fault on her.

The waiter walks over with my dinner. The plate is steaming hot and smells delicious. A nice hearty meal and a glass of wine is exactly what I need. Something comforting that will make me feel grounded.

I finish my meal undetected by anyone familiar. After paying the bill, I quickly go back up to my room. I'm going to spend the night curled up with a movie and a cup of tea. Tomorrow is going to be crazy, so I plan to soak in the peace and quiet while I can.

Chapter 15.

My night didn't go exactly as I planned after dinner. I went up to my room and sat on the bed. I must have fallen asleep shortly after. I shower and change out of the clothes I've been wearing since dinner last night and text Jayne that I'm on my way. I know she had planned on getting there much earlier. I'm supposed to meet her at The Reading Room by ten.

I grab a granola bar and coffee in the lobby, carefully keeping an eye out for Jasmine and anyone else for that matter. I have concierge call me a cab. It arrives quickly and I quietly sip my coffee in the back seat as we take the drive over.

I'm still very nervous about this show. There is a lot riding on it and the media are already swarming the place when I get there, hours before the show is set to begin.

The Reading Room is buzzing with activity. It's always been a hot spot and a place for bands and performers to be discovered, but this has to be their most publicized event ever.

"Annika! There you are!" Jayne calls.

She's in full work mode. Glasses on, hair in a bun, tablet in hand.

"Hey, Jayne. How's it going so far?"

She looks up and I can tell she's completely annoyed already.

"Let's see," she looks down at her tablet, "there's a problem with the stage lighting, we are using the house sound system which is apparently now an issue for Brianna Bell, the details of the backstage meet and greet and press op haven't been finalized, and the purveyors never delivered the signature barware for tonight. Other than that, it's going great." She finishes with a sarcastic thumbs up.

I give Jayne a sympathetic smile, "no worries, Jayne, I'm here now."

"Yes, that makes me feel better. I was a little concerned when I didn't see you in the hotel late last night."

"Oh! I passed out after dinner. Must have been my nerves."

"Good, at least one of us got some sleep then. Now that you're here, let's divide and conquer so we can be prepared for whatever the next curve ball might be."

We go over the details together and come up with a plan of action. In the big scheme of things, they are all minor issues. We've handled much worse. Actually, 'much worse' is kind of how this all started.

Strangely enough, my anxiety is subdued as we spend the next couple of hours hammering out the issues that arose this morning. Both of us spend a lot of time firmly speaking to vendors and technicians and successfully take care of the lighting and missing barware. Jayne went back and forth several times with Brianna, and finally got her to agree to The Reading Room's sound system - with the contingency that Brianna's own tech handle the equipment. Rock stars can really be ridiculous sometimes. At least it's taken care of since she will be arriving any minute.

So will Steele. I'm not sure how I feel about seeing him. I don't know if he's going to be excited or angry or ... what. We haven't spoken in so long, and now we're supposed to act like long, lost lovers for the media. I'm really uncertain how this is all going to play out. My stomach is in knots all over again.

I spent over an hour with Mandy, The Reading Room's manager and the woman Jayne has been working on this whole extravaganza with since the beginning. We straightened everything out with the meet and greet. She had planned to allow the press outside only before the show for interviews. The actual meet and greet between Brianna and Steele will be after their performances. The media attendants that were pre approved by all parties will be allowed inside.

There are going to be so many people in attendance, it was actually a brilliant plan on their part. The paparazzi will be swarming everywhere for photo ops, I'm sure, but that's typical. We've arranged to have a ton of security in place to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible tonight.

Mandy and I walk through the entire place and go over every minute of details that is planned for the evening. Our walk through ends near the back of the bar. We stop to talk near an open door. It's the entrance to the storage room. I can't help but smile at one of my most memorable nights back here.

I can remember everything about that night like it was yesterday. The way it felt being pinned up against the shelves by Steele. I can almost taste the whiskey on his breath again, feel his body pressed against mine. I have to let those thoughts vanish. I never suspected that years later, we would be back here again. Although I don't expect tonight to end anything like that one did.

It's getting pretty late in the afternoon. The bar staff is beginning to arrive for work. They are just part of the many other people involved in making this happen. Mandy and Jayne get the employees together in the back for a final meeting. They're no strangers to a packed house, but this one will be extra special. They have some house special drinks, which will only be served in the signature barware designed just for tonight, as will the regular drink orders.

Once they are all informed and ready, security is up next. We have The Reading Room's regular bouncers, Brianna's team, Steele's guys, and the private company MTM hired specifically for tonight. We put them in charge of the whole security operation, making sure everyone is on the same page and in the correct places.

I heard rumblings of Brianna and Steele both getting here at some point during each of these meetings, but I haven't seen either yet.

"Annika, can I see you in the upstairs?" Jayne calls.

"Sure," I reply and quickly make my way to the staircase leading to the offices.

Jayne is already in the room she designated as 'home base' with Mandy. Tina is also there with her, she must have arrived with Brianna Bell.

"Okay ladies, this is it," she starts, "I think we have everything under control and everything in place for tonight. No. I know we do," she smiles. "Annika, you're off the clock as of now and officially here as Steele's long lost love. Are you ready?"

My face flushes. This is really happening.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I reply, but I'm far from prepared for whatever is going to happen.

"Mandy, are you confident your staff knows what they need to do?"

"Absolutely," Mandy answers.

"Tina, do you have Brianna under control? We can't have her throwing a tantrum tonight."

"I sure do," Tina replies. She sounds certain, but her face says otherwise.

"Okay, then. Let's do this," Jayne announces enthusiastically.

We each go to leave the room but Jayne calls me back, "Annika, can I have a moment?"

"Sure."

"You know, it's because of you that this is all happening."

I can't tell if she means that as a compliment or criticism, so I wait for her to go on.

"Not that it's all about you, but it's the perfect storm for the company and all of those involved."

Whew.

"How are things between you and Steele? Do you think you can pull off looking like you're in love tonight?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. We haven't spoken since I left the tour. Neither of us has reached out. I'm kind of scared to see him."

"Well, he agreed to be here so that's a positive. Let's just hope for the best," she gives me a smile of encouragement. "I reserved one of the rooms for you so you can change and get ready. It's also there if you want to stay out of sight until the show later." She winks.

I breathe a sigh of relief. The press is going to be all over me with questions about Steele and I. I hate being in the spotlight. I don't want any part of that. I also have no desire to run into him, Jasmine, or anyone else I haven't seen since the Steele Rush tour for that matter.

"Thanks, Jayne."

"No problem. Like I said before, you're my friend. I'm not going to let you go through this alone. It's going to be a like a circus tonight."

"I'm lucky to have you, Jayne - as my boss, and my friend."

"Thanks, but let's not get all mushy now. You know I don't like that shit."