“It was a collaborative effort between Liam and me,” Crew says. “We used to sing in another band. But it broke up a long time ago. When we got older and wrote new material, my mom told us we were reckless rock stars. His mom always teased him and said he’d better have a good alibi because he was so often out half the night. We wrote a song called ‘Reckless Alibi,’ and we liked the title so much we decided to use it for the band instead.”
“I think it’s a great name,” Emma says.
“At least they didn’t have to change it when I came on, like if they’d been called the Backstreet Boys or something.”
“What happened to the song?” Brett asks.
“Changed the name. It’s now called ‘Can’t Stop the Train’.”
“Emma Lockhart!” a woman shrieks.
Emma stands. “Mallory!” They hug. “It’s so nice to see you again.” Emma flashes her engagement ring. “It’s soon to be Mrs. Cash.”
“Congratulations!”
A man joins her, and my jaw drops. I nudge Crew and whisper, “Is that who I think it is?”
“Mallory and Chad Stone, this is my fiancé, Brett, his sister, Bria, and her boyfriend, Crew.”
Boyfriend. I like the way that sounds. I peek at Crew who doesn’t seem to mind that Emma just put a label on our relationship.
The men shake hands. I stare at Mallory’s husband like an idiot. “You’re … you’re … Lt. Jake Cross.”
He shakes my hand. “Friends call me Chad.”
Brett motions to two empty seats at our table. “Care to join us? We haven’t ordered yet.”
They glance at each other. “Sure,” Mallory says. “It would be great to catch up.”
Our waitress comes over, looking at Chad like she’s no longer bummed about working tonight. She recognizes the famous actor who’s starred in over twenty films, including the blockbuster Defcon trilogy. She takes their drink orders and hurries to fill them.
“I’m sorry,” I say, “you said your name is Chad? I feel kind of silly. I thought it was Thad.”
“That’s my stage name. My agent made me change it when I first got in the business. My real name was too similar to that of another actor.”
I laugh. “Agents can be annoying like that.”
“You have one?”
“Well, a manager and a record label. Crew and I are in a band. They make me go by Brianna. It’s my real name, but I’ve gone by Bria my whole life.”
“Did they come up with the name Crew as well? That’s pretty original.”
Crew tells him how he got the name.
Mallory says, “Being in a band sounds like fun. You must be kind of a big deal if you have a manager and a record label. What’s the name of your band?”
“Reckless Alibi,” Crew says. “We’re small potatoes right now, but with Bria singing with us, we hope that’s all going to change.”
“You’re new to the band?”
Crew puts a proud arm around my shoulders. “She used to be a backup singer for White Poison, but we snatched her away. They have no idea what talent they let slip through their fingers.”
I squeeze his leg in thanks.
“White Poison?” Chad says. “I know Adam Stuart.”
I stiffen. “You do?”
“Not well, but we’ve crossed paths a few times. He’s one narcissistic Brit.” He hears what he just said and scrambles. “Uh, sorry if you’re friends with him.”
“No, not friends.”
“He’s a real prick,” Crew says succinctly.
I change the subject. “How do you and Emma know each other, Mallory?”
“We’re both teachers. We met through some charity work six or seven years ago.”
I’m caught off guard, surprised the wife of an A-list actor would work.
“She’s not currently teaching in a school,” Emma says. “But she’s very involved in making curriculums for kids who travel with their parents.”
Chad holds Mallory’s hand. “I wanted her and the kids on location with me.”
“How old are they?” I ask.
Mallory shows me a picture on her phone. “Kiera is nine, and Kyle is three.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“My future stepson, Leo, is three,” Emma says. “We should get them together. And you wouldn’t believe how much Evelyn has grown since you’ve seen her.”
Throughout dinner Emma and Mallory catch up and talk about their kids. Crew and Chad bond over music and films. I’m still in awe that I’m sitting next to a man who has an Oscar on a shelf in his house.
“Sorry, Bria,” Emma says when dessert comes. “We didn’t mean to ignore you. Mallory and I haven’t seen each other in ages.”