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"What are your plans today?" Ramiro asked, eating.
"Too many," she answered with a sigh. "Don't you have any?"
Ramiro shrugged. "I've been off the radar for a year. Who do I have to see?"
Realizing what he meant, she said slowly, "Robin doesn't even know you're back."
"I'll tell him tomorrow. Or next week. Once he knows, Father will know. I would rather delay it for as long as I could, minx."
She understood. Scott Brandt was a terrifying man. She had met him once and found him cold and calculating. Robin and Ramiro must have gotten their attitude from their mother.
"I also have to start looking for an apartment, check myself in at a hotel while I'm at it."
Carmen loaded egg and bacon on her fork. "What happened to your penthouse and your home?"
"I had the penthouse put on lease so that white elephant would be of some use. At my instructions, Robin sold my place."
"What? So that means - "
Ramiro's smile was rueful as he refilled his coffee. "I'm homeless. I've become the ultimate cliché for a has-been."
"You are not," Carmen declared vehemently. "We'll get you back on top, Ramiro. It will be a steep climb but you have my word you'll be back there, as you should be."
As she spoke, her hand fell on his wrist. Ramiro stared at it, and she flushed, quickly taking it away.
"Seismic is the best rock band, hands down." She stammered, scrambling for something to say. "You guys deserve only the best comeback."
"What have they been up to?"
Lennon and Caitlin were expecting their first child. They had all gone into record producing. Only Euan straddled responsibilities onstage and behind the scenes as he had many musical collaborations. "We've been approached to be coaches for this new reality show about the next big rock band," she told Ramiro as they were washing the dishes. "I'm still thinking about it, but I hear Euan is on."
"Why the hesitation?" Ramiro asked as she passed him the plate to be wiped dry. "I can imagine they're ready to make any deal you want, Carmen."
"I know, and it's exciting. But I don't have the drive to help build a group from the ground up. I'm also enjoying my gig in the magazine and I'll be finishing college in the next semester." At Ramiro's surprised glance, she blushed. "It's no big deal. I've been attending night classes off and on, and it's just community college."
"Yeah. I remember. I just didn't realize how important finishing is for you."
"I know it seems silly," she confessed, feeling her neck warm. "I mean, I'm clearly comfortable with life and I can do whatever I want but it means a lot to have my name on something I worked on myself. And I promised my Dad I'll finish school no matter what."
"Of course. I understand that." He smiled at her fondly. "Well, I'm proud of you."
Carmen flushed and grunted, "And?"
"And Iamproud of you, minx. You fulfilled your promise to your father against all odds."
They stared at each other. Ramiro's expression was unreadable, and her face reddened by the second. She was the first to look away, hurriedly rinsing her hand and then wiping them dry.
"Ramiro, I have a full day but there are things we have to do." She said briskly as she walked out of the kitchen. Ramiro was following close behind. She turned and almost smacked into him. Blushing again, she cleared her throat. "You are in dire need of a haircut, for one."
Ramiro rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his luscious golden locks. "What? I like my hair like this."
"You look like a homeless person. Which you are, come to think of it."
"I'm a Brandt." He said huffily.
She cocked an eyebrow. "You look like a homeless Brandt."
"That's a first. Don't take that honor away from me." He said, touching his hair again.
