Page 30 of Before the Encore

“Fine.” Bonnie waved a finger. “But no strip clubs. Or casinos. And please—”

Madison pointed hers too. “Nuh-uh. Let me handle it. It’s a surprise.”

“Ugh. You are such a Gemini.”

Madison laughed. What the hell does that mean? “How do you know that? You are such a control freak.”

Bonnie’s gaze hardened again, but she reached for her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Whatever. Text me the details. Or don’t. I’m easy breezy.”

Madison’s lips quirked as Bonnie swung open the door. She popped her earphones in and hit play, letting the music drown out her thoughts. This wasn’t a date. It definitely wasn’t a date.

* * *

Minnie, Bonnie’s curly-haired driver, picked her up at seven. Madison would be stupid not to use the resources provided. Cabs in LA were expensive.

She sank into the comfy seat, grinning at Bonnie’s simple jean shorts and white T-shirt. She actually listened to Madison’s request to ‘dress down’. Bonnie would need to blend in with the crowds if Madison were to get the uptight pop star to relax at all.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” Bonnie grumbled.

No hello. Straight to the point. Madison liked that.

“Nope.”

Bonnie huffed. “And are you sure John won’t be needed where we’re going?”

“Nope.”

“Nope, you won’t tell me? Or nope, he won’t be needed?”

“He draws attention. Plus, that guy is a party pooper. And he looks like Winston Churchill chewing a wasp. You’ll be fine.”

Bonnie huffed again, but then her gaze fell on Madison. “You look different.”

She needed to blend in too. Her black hair, usually pulled into a bun, now fell straight above her shoulders, tucked behind one ear, showcasing her piercings and shaved undercut. She wore a forest-green plaid shirt rolled up at the sleeves, paired with her scuffed Docs. Madison didn’t have any change of footwear.

And no, this wasn’t a date.

Even if the way Bonnie’s gaze raked over her ignited that damn itchy feeling between her ribs.

“Are you really not going to tell me anything?” Bonnie asked. “Have I dressed appropriately?”

Madison admired her outfit and the stripped back make-up. Beneath all the pink and sparkles and glitter, the little snob had quite a nice face. And don’t get her started on the woman’s curves. It was no coincidence her rehearsal finished in time to catch the end of Bonnie’s. Even this boring, modest outfit shaped her in ways that tightened Madison’s throat.

She blamed her recent celibacy for the reaction. Nothing more.

“Yes.” She forced her attention up, to safer areas. “Although…you have toilet roll on your shoe.”

Bonnie glanced down, then threw a pathetic punch to Madison’s shoulder. “You’re so annoying. Can you at least tell me how long it’s going to take?”

“We’re nearly there.” A few minutes later, they pulled into the Santa Monica pier car park, the Ferris wheel and rollercoaster stretching skyward. Madison yelled, “Surprise!”

Bonnie observed through the window, sceptical. “The pier?”

“Kam and I came here the other night, and there’s so much going on. I hardly got to see most of it because we had to stop at every damn food stall. I figured it’d probably been a long time since you’d been a tourist in this city, and maybe you needed to experience it again.”

“Madison…” Bonnie started, but her focus never drifted from the window. The soft way she said her name made her pause.

“Don’t worry. You’re gonna blend right in. Especially with this.” She hooked the camera strap over her head. “I borrowed it from Frank.”