Page 43 of The Overtime Persuasive

Bringing someone to one of Dad’s shows isn’t simply taking them to a concert. Not when they come with me. It’s their own VIP backstage pass to the hallways, the old stories, and the people who have known me since I was small enough to fall asleep inside an open suitcase on a tour bus flying down Route 66. It’s my version of handing someone access to every emotionally loaded thing about my childhood while simultaneously hoping they don’t wander around a corner and stumble onto the parts of me I’d rather keep hidden.

Usually, only my friends get that kind of access. And, when I look at it that way, Liam is technically my friend.

For years, I’ve thought of him mostly as an accessory to my best friend. Lucy’s twin. The arrogant and annoyingly handsome bonus Snyder who came with the package whether I asked for him or not. But he isn’t only Lucy’s brother anymore. He’s…he’s becoming more than that now.

He’s the man who knows about my twelve-thousand-dollar secret. Who has seen my numbers, my forecasts, and exactly how thin the line is between Side B doing well and Side B being in trouble. He knows how terrified I am of getting this wrong, and instead of judging me—or worse, trying to swoop in and fix everything—he so far has been helpful and respectful, and not annoying at all. Liam knows me. Maybe not all of me, but enough that giving him access to one more piece doesn’t feel as strange as it should.

And, who knows. He may very well appreciate going to see one of Dad’s shows as a thank you for his help.

The bell over the door croaks, breaking my trance.

“Eva?” Dad says. “You still there?”

“I’m here. Sorry.” I stop spinning out long enough to look up and find Vivian and Juliette walking into the store, both of them waving when they spot me. “My friends just walked in and to be fair, I am really distracted right now.”

He chuckles. “I gathered.”

“I tell you what. Hold two tickets for the time being, and I’ll let you know if that changes.”

“Two huh? “ Dad whistles. “Let me guess. You bringing Lucy Snyder with you?”

I look back at the empty table in the corner.

“Oh, yeah,” I say, unable to stop the smile pulling at my mouth. “I’m bringing a Snyder, all right.”

We say our goodbyes and I disconnect the call so I can turn my attention to my friends. But I get no chance to even start. This pair hits me with questions of their own.

“So,” Vivian begins, tapping the counter. “I just saw the guest list for tomorrow night’s dinner at Coach’s house.” She turns to Juliette. “Did you see that list too, Jules?”

“I did.” Juliette keeps her gaze on me as she nods. “I was in the middle of making the WAG favors for tonight—little succulents in the cutest little navy blue and gold pots––when I saw it.”

“That sounds cute,” I say to Juliette, ignoring the inference coming my way. “Who doesn’t love a succulent?”

“Eva. Barlow.” Vivan punctuates my first and last names as crosses her arms, her lips twitching at the corners. “Why are you on the WAG list for the team dinner?”

“What’s a WAG?” I ask innocently, knowing one hundred percent what it is but not wanting to be in this conversation.

“Eva.” Juliette smacks her palm on the counter. “You know what a WAG is.”

“Probably because she’s gonna be one,” Vivian snorts.

I fold my arms. Of course I know it’s wives and girlfriends, but with these two I like playing dumb. Lucy won’t be so easy, though. “If you saw my name on a list, I have a good excuse as to why.”

“Oh, I’m sure there is.” Juliette grins. “Does it rhyme with ‘Pee-am Pider’?”

“What is he, a superhero?” I mutter as Vivian laughs.

“They do all have aliases,” Juliette points out.

“That isn’t an alias.” Honestly, if I could hide upstairs right now, I would do it, but I know they’d find a way in to continue harassing me, playful as it may be. “What you did there was make his name worse.”

Vivian’s smile widens as she exchanges a knowing look with Juliette. “Interesting how protective she is of his branding.”

“It’s really not a big deal,” I say.

Neither of them speaks, which is worrying. Always worrying. I’ve learned in this friend group, silence is one of the more effective interrogation techniques.

“Okay, fine.” I pick up a cloth and begin wiping the counter down. “Yes. I’m going to Coach’s team dinner with Liam. He asked if I would do it as a favor since he’s helping me out around the store. Satisfied?”