by Zen DiPietro
“I know a place you’ll love. They make the most delicious icy drinks. And this cheesy bread thing, with gooey spinach stuff.” She tried to illustrate with her hands.
“Your marketing skills leave a lot to be desired, but I trust you. Lead on to the cheesy-bread-thing place.”
She stepped off the walking path and turned away from the water. “Afterward, we can visit the souvenir shops.”
“I think Izzy has infected you with the shopping bug.”
“Not really.” Izzy had certainly tried, but Kassimeigh couldn’t get excited about shopping like their friend did. For Kassimeigh, it was only a means to an end. “But if we’re going to do the whole tourist thing we have to visit the shops.”
“I see. We definitely want to have the full experience.”
5
Élan woke slowly. She opened her eyes and found herself in a guest room at Blind Bob’s. Then she remembered that she’d climbed back into bed for a nap after her lunch with Jonas. The late nights had caught up to her. She rolled over and her foot encountered a leg that wasn’t hers. She sat and peered down at dark hair spilled across the pillow next to her.
Jeannie. Élan hadn’t locked the door behind her. She rarely did, unless she really needed privacy. She wondered whether Bob’s was short on beds again or if Jeannie had wandered in drunk. Bards tended to be drinkers, but Jeannie had gone a little hardcore in recent months. Élan had begun to feel concerned.
She checked the time on her hand comm. It was later than she’d thought. Early evening. She must have been more tired than she’d realized.
She slid off the bed and left the room quietly to avoid waking Jeannie. Once in the hallway she closed the door and stopped tiptoeing. On second thought, she re-opened the door, turned the locking mechanism, and then closed the door again. Now Jeannie had total privacy. It was unlikely anyone would bother her, but Élan thought it better to make sure Jeannie got a complete rest. She didn’t want to start poking in her friend’s business, but it might be time to have some confidential conversations to see if Jeannie needed help.
Élan bounced down the main staircase, feeling better for having decided to do something for her friend. When she stepped into the parlor, she saw a face that made her shout with delight.
“Coco!”
She zoomed across the room and dove into the pit, catching Coco up in a big hug. She planted a smooch on her cheek for good measure.
“I haven’t heard from you in months! Where have you been?” Élan demanded.
Coco returned the smooch, patted Élan’s shoulder, and settled back into her little nest of pillows.
Coco Rose was the most glamorous person Élan had ever known. With her intensely dark skin, prominent black-hued eyes, and full lips, Coco had a natural beauty that Élan had many times used for artistic inspiration.
Coco was more than just gorgeous, though. Her long neck and limbs, combined with her lithe grace, gave her an air of mystery. Her slow smile and smoky, honeyed voice seduced nearly anyone who met her. But it was her worldly aplomb and gentle motherliness that most attracted Élan. Coco wasn’t afraid to tell it like it was, but she did so with a certain amount of tact that made you have to actually think about what she said.
Plus, Coco was part of the handful of bards whom Élan could trust to keep a secret. Permanently. Like Night and Sim, Coco had little use for idle gossip. Élan chose her closest friends with consideration and for good reason.
Coco answered, “I had some recording to do, then some appearances. Then I met a guy. So I let that play out for a few weeks until it was done. Finally I came back where I belong. What about you?”
Unlike Élan, Coco embraced celebrity. She gave life to many of the songs that Night wrote. She was also an excellent songwriter herself. Coco sang in a broad range of styles and excelled at them all. She attended fancy events and modeled for numerous companies. Coco did not shy away from the limelight and the world loved her for it.
Élan considered how much she could say about the current events of her life. “My gig in the hinterlands has kept me busy but I’m taking time off from that now. Catching up with everybody and engaging in some wanderlust.”
It was true, but not the whole truth. She felt a twinge of guilt for not telling Coco about her main objective at present, but there was no reason to pull her into the mess just yet. Coco did have important friends in posh places though, and her help might become necessary.
“A steady gig with steady pay and mixing with non-bards besides. There may be hope for you yet.” Coco gave her an effortlessly sexy smile.
“I even did a gig with Night recently. Without a disguise.”
Coco’s lips parted in amazement. “Is that right?”
Élan was pleased with herself. It wasn’t easy to surprise Coco. “That’s right.”
“Well. This calls for a round.”
Somehow, with just a head tilt, Coco caught the bartender’s attention. Leaf had been taking care of the bards since well before Élan joined the guild, and did a great job of it. He sure never noticed Élan tilting her head, though.
A few quick hand signals had Leaf delivering two flutes of champagne to them.
“You’ve got to teach me how you do that,” Élan sighed, tasting the bubbly wine. Bright, fruity sweetness rolled over her tongue.
“It’s not something that can be taught,” Coco answered with a wink.
Élan had suspected as much.
Coco leaned her head back and took a long, slow sip of the bubbles while her other hand went to the back of her head. Today she wore a glorious nest of tight curls that stood a full foot out from her head in all directions.
“So how did Night convince you to perform without a disguise?”
Oops. Now she had to think of something. “You know Night.” Élan waved her hand dismissively. “He can talk me into things. Or make them into a challenge that I can’t refuse.”
Coco’s eyes narrowed. She hesitated, then gave her head a small shake as if deciding against saying something.
“Night is certainly special,” she replied airily instead. Her lips pursed into a rueful pout and Élan wondered if there was something going on between those two. They’d certainly make a good pair, except for Coco’s celebrity and attendance at high-profile events. Night would never go to things like that.
“Jonas Trak requests entrance to the bardic sanctuary,” the comm panel announced to the room.
Élan saw Coco’s surprise for a second time. “Now why is the son of Trak Engineering’s top executives looking to come here?” Coco wondered.
Of course Coco would know all the members of the wealthy elite. She rubbed elbows with that sort on a regular basis.
Élan savored her response. “I invited him,” she said, before bouncing up and crossing to the panel. She certified Jonas’ admittance. As his sponsor she was responsible for anything he did while inside Bob’s. Guesting someone in was not something to do lightly.
The door opened and she saw him standing there, fiddling with his fingers. When he saw her, he dropped his hands and smiled. Then he looked past her to all the faces turned his way and tensed up again.
“Don’t worry,” she reassured him. “We don’t bite. Well, unless it’s a special occasion.”
He looked like he didn’t know whether to laugh or be worried, which was wise because she wasn’t kidding. But he followed her to the pit nonetheless.
If he was nervous about visiting, he forgot about it as soon as he saw Coco. He grinned. “Coco! It’s good to see you!”
She offered her hand and he clasped her fingers gently. “I’m surprised but glad to see you, as well.”
Oh, this was good. Jonas and Coco were already acquainted. This could work very well. Élan stayed quiet and listened. She noticed the other bards returning to their own activities, but casting curious glances their way every so often. Of course, the other two bards in the pit with them heard everything they said, while pretending to be absorbed in composin
g.
“I haven’t seen you since . . . was it the premiere of your last movie?” Jonas asked.
“I think you’re right.” Coco nodded. “That was a nice event. Excellent food. Too bad the movie was kind of awful.”
“You were fantastic in it, though,” Jonas answered. Élan was amazed at the change in him. This Jonas was so self-assured that he was practically smooth. Somehow, meeting up with Coco made him feel at ease. Very interesting. “The only good thing about it,” he added with a grin.
Coco laughed. “Poor you, having to go to those events, just because your company was a sponsor.”
He shrugged. “It’s not so bad. As you said, the food was excellent.”
They both laughed.
Élan schooled her features into a look of polite interest. In her mind she danced a merry jig. She’d had no idea how she was going to parlay an acquaintance with Jonas into a meeting with Kett, but now she knew. It was almost too easy.
The doors opened and she saw Sim enter, notice her, and pause. He switched direction, first swinging by the bar to pick up a beer and then joining them in the pit. She introduced Jonas and Sim to each other.
“So Coco guested you in?” he asked after a sip of his beer.
“No, seeing her was a pleasant surprise. I’m here with Élan.”
Sim’s eyes cut to her and she could have sworn, for an instant, that he looked angry. But he smiled and nodded, launching into small talk with Coco and Jonas in his typical friendly style. Sim liked just about everyone.
Élan was glad to let the three of them carry the conversation. She chimed in at the right places, but she was waiting for her opportunity. It would come, she was sure of it. She just needed to find it.
Except she didn’t. It was an unusually tame night at Bob’s, possibly because of Jonas’ presence. She, Sim, and Coco took turns playing music while they enjoyed drinks and food, talking, laughing, and joking. The opportunity Élan needed just refused to present itself.
It was late into the night when Jonas checked his hand comm and frowned. “I’ve had a great time, but I have to work in the morning. I’m afraid I have to get going.”
Élan’s stomach sank into her new strappy sandals.
Jonas turned to her. “Thank you so much for inviting me.” He gave her a friendly hug, which was a tiny bit presumptuous of him but entirely appropriate behavior at Bob’s. She didn’t mind. He’d probably had just enough drink to loosen him up. Or maybe the nervous version of him had been a rarity and he usually behaved more confidently. He kissed Coco just outside the corner of her mouth, in the way of people who were either very familiar or very fancy.
“It was great seeing you, Coco. Will you be at the Minstrel Awards next weekend?” Jonas looked hopeful.
“Of course. I’m contractually obligated to attend.” Coco laughed.
“Perfect. I might have to bring my friend Kett. He’s been pestering me to introduce him to you for ages.” They both laughed. Some inside joke that Élan didn’t get, but she didn’t care. This was exactly the opportunity she’d been waiting for. Once again, she feigned being pleasantly polite while mentally cheering.
She kept up that private victory party even as she saw Jonas to the door. It slid shut behind her and only then did reality hit. Her new plan had some ramifications that she hadn’t realized until that moment.
Oh, shiv.
After making Coco promise that she’d still be at Bob’s the next day, Élan went to bed early. It was barely midnight. Surprisingly, Sim followed her upstairs and suggested sharing a room. Élan suspected that he wanted to talk to her. He was usually one of the last to leave a gathering, and almost never left early. Something felt off-balance about him.
He followed her into the room, and she expected him to say something right away but he didn’t.
“I’m going to go shower and get changed,” she told him as she dropped her backpack under the desk. She’d already stored her instruments in her locker.
They’d snagged her favorite room. The rooms at Bob’s were eclectically furnished with whatever had been handy. They all had a bed big enough for two people, a chair, a desk, and a comm panel. Beyond that, it depended on the room. This one had a supreme-sized bed and a mint-green color scheme. The bedspread had a tiny checkered pattern on it and there was a pretty portrait above the headboard depicting a pair of bards playing drums together.
“Sure.” He kicked off his shoes and rummaged through his own backpack.
Maybe she’d been wrong. Sim seemed fine.
When she returned, wearing a knee-length nightgown and feeling clean, she sat on the edge of the bed to gather her hair in a loose braid for bedtime. She didn’t always bother to do it, but it did make her hair much easier to sort out in the morning.
Sim had switched into pajama pants and a T-shirt while she was gone. He seemed to be doing a quick check of his messages on the comm.
She tied off her braid and pushed herself farther back onto the bed. She leaned against the slim headboard.
“Ready to sleep?” she asked him.
He glanced up, then touched the side panel. “Sure.”
“Is anything bothering you?”
He approached the foot of the bed, leaning his knees into it. “That guy, Jonas. He doesn’t seem like your type.”
“I don’t think I have a type.”
“He’s not a bard.”
“That’s true. He’s definitely not a bard.” She had no idea what he was getting at.
“So why are you going out with him?”
“I’m not.”
“He was here with you.”
She shifted, folding her legs under her. “As a friend. I have lots of friends, Sim.”
That seemed to annoy him. “Yeah, you have tons of friends. But some of them are more friendly than others.”
“What’s going on? What are we talking about?”
Sim heaved a sigh and threw his hands out in an expansive gesture. “This Jonas guy. Dray. Night. Half the other guys in the guild. I’ve watched you for years, getting involved with guys. It’s always someone. But why is it always them and never me?”
“What?” She blinked, waiting for him to laugh at her for falling for his joke, but he didn’t. He looked serious. And upset.
“I’m probably the only guy in this guild you’ve never gotten that kind of friendly with.”
Was he really saying what she thought he was saying? “You’re joking, right?”
He ignored her. “You and I would be great together. We’re already best friends. Why am I not good enough for you?”
She had to gather her thoughts and figure out which part of that to deal with first.
“Okay, so you think I hook up with Dray? And Night? And Jonas, too? And half the guys in the guild?”
His mouth tightened. Clearly, he did.
“And where do you get that information? I certainly never said it.”
“We’ve never talked about that stuff. But everyone else does. I can’t help but hear it.” He shrugged.
She stood up on the bed and crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. “So you’ve been listening to gossip about me? That any guy who is my friend or any guy I smile at must be fooling around with me? Are you for real?”
He studied her face and suddenly seemed less sure of himself. “You’re not?”
“What the hell, Sim!” She picked up a pillow and threw it at him. He deflected it with one hand and it flopped to the floor. “Of course not. I actually do just have a lot of friends. Why would you ever listen to gossip about me? And if you did, why not just ask me about it?”
“I just thought . . . well, I always figured you and I would end up together eventually. I was just waiting for it to be the right time.”
“Seriously? Come on. There’s no romance between us. At all. Zero.”
“But we’re awesome together.”
“As friends. Are you honestly telling me that you’re in love with me?”
He c
ringed. “Well, no, not right now. I just thought that, you know, that part would develop.”
“If it hasn’t happened in the past decade or so, I don’t think it ever will.”
“But . . . ”
“Fine. Here.” She stepped to the end of the bed and leaned down into his arms. He wrapped her up in a hug with her feet dangling far above the floor. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him.
He responded with enthusiasm that quickly waned. He let her slide down until her feet rested on the floor and stepped back.
“See? That was not hot, was it?” She scowled at him.
He grimaced. “No. I mean, it was fine. But not hot.”
“Because we have no romantic chemistry, you bonehead. No passion. We’re friends.” She smacked him in the chest.
“Ow,” he said halfheartedly, rubbing at the spot.
“Oh, shut up. Now, let’s talk about how, according to rumors, I fall into bed with anyone who comes along. Not that it’d be anyone’s business if I did.”
Sim’s skin was dark enough that she couldn’t see his blush, but she knew his cheeks must be burning. “Why would anyone lie about that?” he asked in confusion.
“Because it’s fun! People love rumors. If they don’t have genuine dirt, they’ll speculate. Or make assumptions based on what they hope is true. Come on. How do you not know this?” She scoffed in disgust.
He sighed and turned around, backed up to the bed, then fell onto it. He covered his face with his hands. “Fine. I’m an idiot.” His words came out muffled.
“You really, really are.”
He flung his arms out to the sides. “I just thought . . . ”
“Sure, it would be great if we were best friends and great loves, but we aren’t. I don’t get involved with people very often, but when I do, it’s about passion and chemistry. Is it not the same for you?”
“Well, actually, I just like—”
She cut him off. “Never mind. I liked it better when we didn’t talk about this stuff.” She went back up to the top of the bed and sat.
“Yeah. We should go back to that.” His fingers picked at the checkered bedspread.
