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He leaned back against the bar, smiling to himself as he watched her chatting with Tasha, who sang backup for Matt.
“Has she asked you about the truck yet?” Autumn had appeared at his side, and he gave her a puzzled look. She laughed. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“I hate to ask, but what truck?”
“I don’t feel like I should interfere.”
He glanced over at Tori again. “She wants to buy a truck?”
Autumn laughed again. “No. I might as well tell you. I asked her if the two of you might want to drive one out to Summer Lake for me. Clay wants to use it to shoot a music video.”
“Hmm.”
“What does that mean? You like the idea? Or you hate it?”
“What did Tori say?”
“That she’d have to talk to you first.”
Xander thought about it. “Well, we don’t have any commitments here – or anywhere, for that matter.”
Autumn grinned. “And she mentioned that her mom’s hoping that you guys will visit.”
Xander nodded.
“Oh! How do you feel about that? From what I’ve heard, Alexandria DuPont is a strong woman – feared by many.” She met his gaze. “How do you think she’s gonna feel about you?”
Xander chuckled. “I’m happy to say that I have no worries there. Your description of her was spot on – she’s an impressive woman. But I’m fortunate; I’ve known her all my life, and I’ve always gotten along with her. You could even say that she has a soft spot for me.”
Autumn smiled.
“What?” he asked. “What are you looking at me like that for?”
She chuckled. “Don’t worry, nothing bad. If you must know, I like your choice of words. I like that you called her impressive – I’ve heard her called much worse. And I love that she has a soft spot for you. I wouldn’t like your chances with Tori if Alexandria thought you were just some schmuck off the street.”
He had to laugh at that. “And you would have a point. Like I said, I’m fortunate. So, going back to your original question, if anything, I’m looking forward to seeing her and letting her know that Tori and I are together.”
“And what do you think about the truck? How do you think you guys would fare on a road trip?”
He smiled at the thought. “You know what? If Tori likes the idea, I’d love it. And if it’s doing you a favor…”
“You’d be doing me a huge favor, and I’ll tell you for nothing that Clay would feel like he owes you one, too. It’ll stop me bitching at him about this whole deal.”
Xander’s smile faded. “I’m guessing you know how Tori feels about Clay?”
Autumn chuckled. “I do, I wasn’t sure if you knew, too.”
“Yeah. I know that she’s never wanted to trade on her family name. She sure as hell didn’t want Clay doing her any favors just because she’s Alexandria’s daughter.”
“It’s actually been the opposite of that. Clay wanted to sign her when he first heard her demo when she was new in town, but he spoke to her mom first – he wanted to know that she’d be okay with it. She talked to Tori – without telling her about Clay’s interest, and Tori insisted that she wasn’t looking to become a big name in her own right.”
“I never knew that.”
Autumn gave him a pointed look. “Tori still doesn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because for all the years I’ve known her, she’s insisted that she only wants to sing backup. I had to take my shot while Callie’s out of the picture, but I’m sure you know that Tori gave me the same answer that she always has.”
