"Sure," Carolyn said as the couple stood and moved toward the stage where the band was now winding up cords and putting away instruments.
"God, every single one of them is hot," Genie said, her eyes eating the band alive as they moved around the stage. "Even that Gia. I'd switch teams if I had a chance with her."
Carolyn laughed. "Sure you would."
"Okay, maybe I wouldn't, but I'd seriously consider it."
Carolyn shook her head and glanced toward the band again.
"So what about that Christian?"
Genie asked.
"What about him?" Carolyn's eyes found the man on his haunches, setting his violin in its case.
"He was asking me loads of questions about you. You might get lucky there," she said, elbowing her.
"Brent would have more luck than me," Carolyn assured her.
Genie blinked. "What?"
Carolyn nodded. "I was talking to Gia in the washroom during the break. The family's very into the macho thing and he's g*y but firmly in the closet, and she asked me to be his beard."
"No. God, why are the good ones always gay?" Genie moaned, her eyes moving back to the stage. "Are you going to do it?"
"Yes," she admitted. "I don't mind helping him out, and it will give me company while Beth's sick."
"True." Genie glanced back to the stage. "You could do worse than eye candy like that to keep you company.
Of course, every single woman here is going to envy the hell out of you and hate your guts."
Carolyn laughed at the suggestion, her gaze shifting to Marguerite and Julius as they reached the band.
"Well?" Christian asked, bending down for Marguerite to kiss his cheek.
"You were brilliant," she assured him, beaming. "I was very proud."
Christian flushed, but smiled and admitted, "I meant Carolyn. Do I go back and try to sleep now?"
Marguerite bit her lip and glanced to Gia. "You didn't tell him yet?"
Gia shook her head. "I take it you read her?"
"Yes, dear, and that was brilliant thinking on your part. Absolutely brilliant."
"Thank you, Aunt Marguerite," Gia said, beaming under the praise.
"What was brilliant?" Christian asked at once.
Marguerite bit her lip, which didn't seem good, but it definitely worried him when she suggested, "Why don't we go somewhere more private to discuss it."
"We have to take the instruments back to Genie's office," Raffaele rumbled. "You can talk there."
"Won't Genie-"
"She gave us the key," Christian interrupted.
"Right, then we'll do that," she decided.