running any other ad campaigns right now?”
“Just the ‘Make the Right Call’ spots about calling for a ride if you’re too drunk to drive. And the print and digital promos we’ve been doing every month.”
I send a quick email to Louis with my request. But if this is correct, if being a sponsor on the Kickin’ Up Crazy tour is upping sales this much this quickly, it’s one of the highest returns on advertising investment we’ve ever seen.
Which means a few things. One being that this is a route we definitely want to continue taking, sponsoring tours. And the other I try not to think about. Because if I value this company and my job at all, the last thing I should be doing is engaging in an inappropriate relationship with someone on the tour.
If it got out that Dallas and I had a history, there would be all kinds of questions about why Midnight Bay was sponsoring the tour he just happened to be on. The nature of relationships between artists and sponsors should be of a strictly professional and business nature. The public discovering that we’d slept together in Denver would reflect poorly on Midnight Bay. It might not get me fired necessarily, but it would probably cause me to at least be questioned by my boss and possibly his sixty-two-year-old uncle about topics I never want to discuss with either of them. Ever.
I say a silent thank-you to the universe that Dallas isn’t currently famous enough to have paparazzi following him around. Then I feel bad for feeling glad that he isn’t famous yet.
“You are so in your head right now,” Katie says, startling me as I chew my manicure to hell while waiting on Louis’s response. “What’s the deal? I thought an eleven percent bump in sales would be great news.”
“It is.” I nod. “I’m just a little worried about . . . you know.”
“Your little fling with Mr. Hotpants?”
I roll my eyes. “Very funny. Not exactly. I’m more worried about our history coming to light. I’m the one who pushed us to sponsor this tour and then I outright begged Mr. Martin to put me on the promo campaign. If it comes out that I have a prior history with Dallas, it might get complicated.”
Katie looks at me like I’ve said something ridiculous. “How so?”
“There were two acts previously scheduled to be on the tour that were asked to leave for undisclosed reasons. Dallas took the open spot. It might look like I was involved in that, or like I used company dollars as leverage to get him on the tour.”
“But you weren’t and you didn’t. You worry too much, girl. You want to get a drink after work?”
Katie stands to leave, and while I could probably use some girl time, I really am exhausted. “I think I’m just going to go home and crash. Tomorrow, though, I’m in.”
“Sounds good.”
Katie leaves and the email I’ve been waiting for comes through. I’m lost in sales numbers when my phone chimes with a text notification.
I tear my eyes from my computer long enough to locate my phone to my left.
She won’t answer my texts. Won’t take my calls. It’s probably all my fault.
What I don’t know is what I did to get myself on her do not answer list.
Hit me up, girl. Or just hit me.
I can take it, whatever you have to say. Anything you wanna throw my way.
Whether it’s a call you back soon or right hook. Give me what you got.
More lyrics courtesy of Dallas.
At least he’s writing, I guess.
I set my phone down and rub my temples for a few minutes.
I’m not avoiding him. That would be childish. I’m just avoiding . . . it. This thing between us that I can’t explain or contain.
My travel-lagged brain is too tired to compute a response.
I’ll text him after work.
I will.
Or maybe after I get home and take a nap.
I just have to figure out what in the world I’m going to say.
Thanks for the hot sex but I don’t think we should make it a habit seems kind of harsh.
I’m ignoring you because I don’t want to lose my job for sleeping with you doesn’t really work, either.
Should I just book one room for us to share from now on? is what actually comes to mind.
No. It was a fling. A temporary rekindling of a flame that has long since burned out and nothing more. Because that’s all it can be.
A drink with Katie