“He’s general manager at a place called Candy’s Room.”
“Home to the world’s greatest Springsteen tribute bands.”
My eyes widened. “You know it?”
“Of course I do. I’m not chained to Hollywood.”
“Still.”
“I get around, Sunny,” he said.
“Clearly.”
“I love that place,” he said. “The giant Exxon sign over the bar. ‘Who’s The Boss’ trivia nights. The names of the drinks. The Pink Cadillac. Rosalita’s Margarita…”
“Born to Rum.”
“Right.”He chuckled. “What a great place to work.”
“Richie thinks so,” I said. “Anyway, that’s why we haven’t set a date. We’re still trying to figure out what our living situation is going to be like.”
“You like the Shore?”
“Very much,” I said. “Most of the time.”
“So, what’s the problem? You’ve got the type of job you can do from anywhere. You love to drive. Live in Asbury Park.”
“But Spike’s in Boston. So is my dad. My loft…”
“You can probably keep the loft, right?” he said. “And it’s driving distance…Man, I can’t believe I’m telling you to speed up your wedding plans.”
“You’re not the only one.”
“I’m sure, but I, uh…have a vested interest against it.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it. Though I did add an eye roll for good measure.
“I mean it, Sunny,” he said. “When Melanie Joan told me what had happened with ReadAnon, I was upset, of course. Her publisher’s insane overreaction. It wasn’t fair. But then shetold me she was hiring you to find Book Babe, and I thought…well, that is definitely a silver lining.”
“That’s flattering,” I said.
“I’m just being honest,” he said. “I’ve missed you. A lot.”
“Again, that’s—”
“Flattering. I know. I promise I’ll stop. I respect you and your choices,” he said. “I just wanted to get it all out in the open. I’m not a big fan of subtext.”
I turned and looked at him. “We had fun, Tony.”
“I know.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“I know.”
“So, what do you say we change conversation topics?”
“Fair enough,” he said. “Or we could just listen to the radio.”
