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“The energy is so intense,” he shouted back. “I never imagined anything like this. Even when we had our drum circles.”
“Wanna take a walk around, so we can see the rest of it?” Another thing I never thought I’d say. Usually my eyes would be glued on the stage. “There are vendors, food trucks…I have to admit, I’m pretty hungry. Have you ever had a taco from a truck?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m willing to give it a try.” His eyes were glittering, and it wasn’t just the light show.
“I’m so glad you’re into this,” I said once we started walking. It had taken a minute for Bjorn to get the camera tripod packed up and for our group to mobilize. Even though we were trying to play things cool, we had a ton of security around us.
Not only were hunters trying to capture my date as a trophy, Bibi le Bonnet was an icon. She’d been so busy signing autographs and taking selfies, she’d probably missed the whole show.
“This is what you used to do for work?” he asked.
“Sort of. I was kind of like a Bibi, but not quite as fabulous.” I laughed.
“Depends on who you ask.” He gave me a smoldering gaze.
I wanted to deflect, but instead, I soaked in the compliment. “But instead of one couple, I was in charge of five dudes who weren’t used to hearing the word no. Whatever their request was, I was expected to make it happen. That, and making sure that the venues and the record companies weren’t screwing us over. And then there were fans.” I swept my hand, motioning to the crowd. “They needed to feel like they were a part of things.”
“Is that why you did it? Because you’re a fan?” he asked. I loved how genuine he was, just naturally curious.
“It certainly helped when it wasn’t easy to love what I did. I try not to think about the tough times and remember that I got to do what I loved.”
“Sounds like you had an important job,” he said.
I sighed. “Nobody’s ever said that before.”
“Why not? You were responsible for making all this happen.” Lars gestured at the stage. “And making all these people happy. Seems like a big undertaking to me. Do you think you’ll ever go back to it?”
“I’d like to in some capacity,” I said as we got in line for the taco truck. “But I don’t want to travel anymore. Maybe I could do something local.”
“We can make that happen, if you want.” Bibi’s offer startled me. I’d been so wrapped up in Lars I’d managed to forget about my sparkly copilot. “After your episode is over, of course.”
“Yeah. Let’s talk about it.” I beamed at her as Lars squeezed my hand, then turned to him. “What kind of tacos do you want?”
His lips parted, and he looked at the truck like he’d never seen such a thing before.
“Sweet moon, is this your first taco?”
He nodded. “Not even totally sure what they are. Like a sandwich?”
“Oh, this is amazing. They’re like little pockets of happiness. I’m jealous you get to experience them for the first time. What do you like?”
“Why don’t you pick them out for me?”
It was official. I was in love with Lars. Human, beast, any form he was in. I loved the way that he looked at the world with a sense of wonder. He could be pissed off things had changed and he’d been left behind, but instead he’d decided to take everything in with curiosity.
A bunch of guys came up to us.
“The line starts back there,” I said. Probably not the best thing, since this was on TV, but I couldn’t stand it when people thought they could jump ahead of people who’d been waiting.
Then I saw the camouflage. Shit. And their laser focus on Lars.
“You’re the squatch,” one of them said. “You shifted on camera.”
Lars’s demeanor changed. From the adorable date who’d never had a taco before to someone who wasn’t gonna take this guy’s shit. “I am.”
His voice was deep and rumbly, and I had no business being so turned on by it right now.
One of the other guys waved to his friends, and we were surrounded by hunters.
