Page 12 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

“You’re probably the only singer they’ve ever had I’d be interested in hearing. Not...” he held up a finger “your boyband stuff. Sorry, dude. Didn’t like that, but your solo stuff is great. Has that folk style I like. Sort of like Vance Joy—love that guy.”

“Yeah, he does good stuff.” That was a switch. Most people dismissed my solo music while begging for the Five2 songs. Maybe the driver had just given me a sign. “Thanks for the ride.”

I jumped out of the car, and Noelle descended the two steps to greet me, a furrow between her eyebrows.

“What’s wrong? I’m not late, am I? Traffic slowed us down.”

She peered past my shoulder. “You’re not late, but Ashley is. Did you talk to her this morning?”

“No. We’re at different hotels. Have you tried calling her?”

Noelle held out her cell. “Numerous times. Her phone’s off.”

“How about her manager, Orlando? He usually has her on a tight leash.”

“I tried him too. At least I got his voicemail, and I left him a few messages.” She clutched her clipboard to her chest.

It must be some sort of safety blanket for her because I was pretty sure she did everything on her phone or laptop.

“C-can you go inside? They want you in the green room. I’ll wait out here for Ashley.”

“Waiting outside isn’t going to make her get here any faster. Why don’t you come with me and have a bagel or something in the green room? A cup of tea. You still drink chamomile tea?”

“I switched to coffee—iced.”

My gaze shifted to her pencil tapping the edge of the clipboard. She should probably switch back.

I snatched the pencil from her fingers. “Relax. There’s nothing you can do about Ashley.”

“You don’t get it.” Her drumming fingers replaced the pencil. “It’s my job to make sure all these promo events go smoothly. A late headliner...co-headliner isn’t smooth.”

“Nobody can put this on you, Noelle.” I held up my hand. “I’m a witness. You did everything you could. The co-headliner’s word should carry some weight.”

A smile hovered at the corner of her mouth. “Okay. I guess you’re right. Standing out here isn’t going to light a fire under Ashley—wherever she is—but assuring AM LA that we have everything under control might help the situation.”

“There you go.” I held the pencil out to her. “Let’s go see about those bagels.”

“I’ll leave the pastries to you. I’m going to have a talk with AM LA’s production team.”

I opened the door and ushered her in first. “Go get ‘em.”

Noelle waved toward a doorway as she continued down the hallway. “Green room in there. Knock yourself out.”

I slipped through the door, holding my breath. You never knew who you were going to encounter in the green room. As I entered, a young bloke with glasses, messy hair, and chocolate on his upper lip turned toward me.

“Oh, hey. I know you from Five2.” He wiped his hand on a napkin before extending it. “I’m Del Delaney.”

I shook Del’s hand, not knowing who the bloody hell he was despite his expectant grin.

I tapped my mouth. “You have a little...”

“Oh, God.” He clapped the napkin over his mouth. “These chocolate croissants are deadly.”

“That’s what I’m looking for, mate.” I rubbed my hands together as I descended on the food spread. I plucked a chocolate croissant from the tray and dropped it onto a plate.

A young blonde with a ponytail poked her head into the room. “Del, you’re up in a minute. Come with me.” She screwed up her mouth. “You have chocolate on your face.”

Del gave me a shrug and followed the blonde out of the room.