and grins at Juliet. “Not to mention it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, yeah, I was scared, but once I was in the air, it was awesome.”
I snort and roll my eyes. Those shoes cost Juliet at least two grand. God love her, but Nikki is spoiled. It comes from growing up with a plastic surgeon father and a high-powered lawyer for a mother. Her trust fund was astronomical.
Juliet, along with her family, has money too. But whereas Nikki has absolutely no will power when it comes to spending it, Juliet does. But her one weakness is shoes.
My own family is loaded, but we still lived conservatively.
“So, Enzo, James told me a little bit about why you’re leaving Phenix. He said you were tired of life on the road.”
Before he can answer Juliet, the waitress comes up and begins removing our empty plates. “Would any of you like to see the dessert menu?”
We all decline, and she scurries away.
“I never really wanted that kind of life for myself. When the band was formed, it was just a hobby. Something to pass the time. I loved music. Writing the lyrics and letting them play out through my fingers on the guitar. We were at a gig over on Belmont Street when a guy who owned a record label heard us. He was there having a drink with friends.”
“Oh, wow. What are the odds of that happening? I know a lot of performers spend years trying to get the attention of someone in the music industry.”
He nods and leans back in his chair, throwing one arm over the back. “Yeah. There was no way I could let the guys down. I loved music, but it was their life. Their goal was to make it big.”
“How old were you?” I ask.
His eyes flicker to me. “Twenty.”
“So, if you didn’t care for that lifestyle, why did you stay in the band for so long?”
“For the first couple of years, it was to help out the guys. To give them the limelight they wanted. I didn’t want to chance messing it up for them by leaving. After that,” he shrugs. “I was like most rock stars. It went to my head. The attention, the fame—”
“The girls,” I mutter under my breath.
Apparently, he hears me. “And yes, the girls,” he finishes, his lips tipping up.
“So, why now? You had it all. Why get out now?”
“Because what I had wasn’t real. I’m tired of all the fake shit that comes with being part of Phenix. It was fun for a while, but I’m ready to move on and settle somewhere. Start the next chapter of my life.”
“My goodness. What will you do without all the bimbos with fake tits and plastic faces following you around?”
Juliet sucks in a breath, but I ignore her.
I have no idea why I’m intent on pissing him off. I’m just suddenly irritated.
Instead of getting the reaction I expected, his smirk turns into a grin. “Sounds like someone might be a bit jealous.”
I snort. “Not likely.”
He chuckles. “Anyway. I haven’t been interested in ‘fake tits and plastic faces’ for a while now. I’m thinking something more substantial will catch my eye though.”
I know what he’s insinuating, but I’m not falling for it. I’m not willing to take the chance that he’s wrong. Just from our one night together, given half the chance, I know Enzo could break my heart. It’s crazy to know that since I only met him a few days ago, but my gut tells me to be wary.
“What about you?” he asks, and I stare at him blankly. “What kind of work do you do?”
“I’m a fiction editor. I work for one of the biggest publishing houses in the state.” His brows shoot up, and I tilt my head to the side. “Why do you look so surprised?”
“I can’t picture you as an editor. It seems so tame for you.”
My hackles rise. “Tame? What does that mean?”
“Cool your feathers, Alaina. I didn’t mean it as an insult. I just didn’t peg you for someone who sat behind a desk all day. I think it’s a pretty amazing career choice.”
“She’s a damn good editor too,” Juliet inserts, her eyes beaming with pride. “One of the best in California.”
“So, if you edit books.” He looks to Juliet. “And James says you make covers and other literary graphics.” His eyes move to Nikki next. “What is it you do?”
“A writer.”
The only indication of surprise he lets show