Page 3 of Rebooting Conor Flynn

Was that hope in his voice or panic? I swallowed, the coffee bitter on my tongue.

Dina kicked me. “Yes, Noelle will be handling PR for the entire tour. I’m just here for today’s meeting and then Noelle will be taking over. She’s come a long way from that little gofer you knew from your Five2 days.”

Little gofer. Scorching heat seared my cheeks, and I shifted my gaze over Conor’s head to focus on a roadie removing a gilded throne from a moving van. The sight almost distracted me from my humiliation—almost.

A woman’s screeching voice cut through all conversations and probably a few eardrums. “Conor Flynn—my absolute favorite boybander of all time!”

Talk about a distraction.

A curvy blonde in white lingerie and fluffy bunny slippers launched herself at Conor, and I stepped back as she flung herself into his arms, which curled around her cinched-in waist.

“Ashley, you changed your hair.”

Holy shit. Ashley Bennett had gone from brunette to blonde, and I didn’t even recognize her. Not that I’d ever met her. After my last year working for Five2, the gossip sites had linked Conor and Ashley, and I couldn’t even stand to look at pictures of her. I’d convinced myself theirs had been a PR romance, but the way Conor just settled his hands on her body, his fingers skimming her hips, didn’t exactly scream showmance.

I wanted to run in the other direction, but Dina made it clear this was my gig, and she’d doubt my commitment if I didn’t stay put to meet the star of the tour. I had to suck it up and act like the professional I pretended to be if I ever wanted to climb out of the gofer hole.

When Ashley finished fawning over and groping Conor, she turned her dark eyes to Dina. “Hello, Dina. Orlando is going to be a little late, but he can’t wait to work with you and 92 West on the promo. He has some fantastic ideas.”

You’d have to know Dina well to see that her bright smile wavered just a tiny bit at that news, but she rallied and kissed Ashley’s sculptured cheek. “I didn’t realize your manager was joining us, Ashley.”

“Oh, you know.” She flicked her fingers. “Just for the kickoff.”

I sneezed, and three pairs of eyes pinned me. It was the bunny slippers.

Ashley wrinkled her nose as she studied me, and Dina patted my shoulder and said, “Hope you’re not getting sick. Ashley, this is Noelle Martine. She’s going to be managing PR for the tour. Noelle, Ashley.”

I stuck out my hand, ragged nails smoothed out and painted neutral for the occasion. “Pleasure to meet you, Ashley. I’m looking forward to working with you. I-I enjoy your...work.”

Conor coughed and covered his mouth.

“Is everyone sick already?” Ashley took my hand, her sweet smile not reaching her eyes. “Oh, we don’t get Dina.”

I took a deep breath. “This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been assisting Dina for almost five years, came over from Odyssey Promotions, and before that, I was with Baker Street Productions.”

Ashley’s hand tightened on mine before she dropped it. “Baker. Did you work with Five2Go?”

Conor broke into the conversation. “She did. Noelle was a hard worker and one of the most efficient reps in the group that managed our stuff.”

Hard working and efficient. That’s what Conor got out of our time together? What next, loyal and obedient?

“Perfect. Then Orlando will love you.”

From what I’d heard about Ashley’s manager Orlando, I doubted the feeling would be mutual. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

The lying that went on in this business should be studied.

Ashley had already lost interest in our conversation, turning away at the arrival of Ji-yoon. Would Ji-yoon have her manager too, turning this into a total shitshow?

The petite singer lifted her hand in a wave as she approached our group.

Ashley sucked in a breath. “She’s young.”

“Hi, everyone.” Ji-yoon practically tackled Ashley with a hug. “I’m so hyped to be sharing the stage with you both—my pre-teen crush and my teenage idol.”

Ashley’s smile twisted into a grimace, probably hating the reminder that Ji-yoon was still a teen when Ashley was at her height of stardom. She wriggled out of Ji-yoon’s arms and patted her on the arm. “How cute. We won’t exactly be sharing a stage, though.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Conor winked at Ji-yoon. “I’d be happy to share the stage with you, but only if we get to sing Be My Boy.”