“We are not discussing whether their personalities could win a manners pageant.” Francesca crosses her arms over her chest. “Frankly, I’m not concerned with what they’relike, so much as what they cando. All of the candidates I sent to you were thoroughly vetted for experience and job performance. I don’t see why their demeanors should be a contributing factor.”
“Spoken like the corporate robot you are,” Lincoln mutters lowly.
“Linc,” I growl. “Watch it.”
He holds up his hands in defense. “Just speaking the truth.”
“Francesca…” I try to find some middle ground, before this situation implodes. “I apologize if we’ve been making you step outside your job description here. While we appreciate your recommendations, we’ve dealt with enough people in this business to recognize who we can and cannot work with. Those candidates simply weren’t a good fit. We’ll find the right tour manager eventually.”
“And in the meantime?” Her tone is sharp. “You’re leaving for Las Vegas in less than an hour. You expect to find a surplus of viable candidates while you’re out on the road for the next three and a half months?”
A fraught silence descends on the room — shattered by the delicate clearing of a throat.
“Maybe I can help.”
Everyone looks over at Carly, varying shades of surprise etched on our faces. She flushes under all the attention, but holds her ground. “I can keep things organized. Manage some of the moving parts, so to speak, keeping y’all free to focus on the music. Just temporarily, of course,” she adds, shrugging. “Until you find someone more qualified.”
“You?” Francesca asks arching an auburn brow.
“Yes,me.” Carly’s eyes flash and her tone acquires some steel. “Look, I may not have any experience in running a tour, but I’ve spent the past five years running a stage at one of the most popular music venues in Nashville. I know how to deal with roadies, organize a schedule, sweet talk stubborn sound technicians, and even convince the most melodramatic musicians—” She shoots Aiden an interesting look. “—to go on stage at their proper set times.”
Aiden looks undeniably red around the collar. Whether with anger or embarrassment is anyone’s guess.
“The tourisalready planned,” Francesca murmurs, thoughts churning in her eyes. “It would merely be a matter of putting out small fires as they arise — coordinating with the venues before and after arrival, confirming reservations, checking in and out of the hotels, making sure the catering crews restock the bus at every stop, keeping the stage crew on schedule… That sort of thing.”
“I can do that,” Carly says, nodding. “Well… I think I can do that. Eighty-six percent certain.”
“Comforting,” Aiden mutters. “You’d probably say the same about brain surgery if someone handed you a scalpel.”
Carly shoots him a frosty look. “Oh, you don’t want to see me with a scalpel in hand, Aiden. I might just use it on you, if you keep insulting me.”
Lincoln laughs.
“I for one think it’s a great idea,” Felicity chimes in, stepping up to Carly’s side.
“Of course you do,” I mutter under my breath.
Felicity’s icy gaze snaps to mine. “What was that, Ryder?”
I shrug casually, shoving my hands in my pockets and keeping my mouth shut. I’m tired of fighting with her, tonight.
Tired of fighting with her, period.
“No thoughts at all on the matter?” Her eyes narrow on me. “Strange, you were simply full of opinions earlier.”
My teeth clench to avoid taking the bait. “Isupposesince Carly was already planning on tagging along for the first leg of the tour… she might as well make herself useful.”
Felicity’s brows lift and her mouth goes slack — whatever she expected, it wasn’t a show of support.
“Really?” Carly beams at me hopefully.
I shrug, winking at her. “If it means we can stop talking about this administrative shit, I’m cool with it.”
“Here, here,” Lincoln mutters. “We just played our first goddamned show! We’re supposed to be celebrating, not talking shop.”
Aiden glowers. “Don’t you think this warrants an official band vote?”
“A vote?Fine.” Felicity holds up her fingers and starts tallying. “I’m in, Ryder’s in, and the way Linc’s been grinning for the past two minutes, I’m guessing he’s in, too.”