Love Resolution

Avery felt the heat of Marcus’ hand on the small of her back as they descended the short row of stairs into the private entrance of Blue Water Grill. Word had gotten out where the private dinner for the sponsors of the tour would take place. The front entrance of the upscale restaurant in Yaletown was swamped with paparazzi and fans. It seemed as though everything she or Marcus did somehow became public knowledge.

He held the door open for her. The warmth flooding from inside the basement was a welcome contrast to the nip of the late night air. He helped her shrug out of the car length coat she wore, handing it over to the hat check girl.

“Thanks,” she returned, turning around to face him.

“Hell no, Avery!” Marcus exclaimed as he took in her outfit.

“What’s wrong?” She feigned an innocent expression, understanding full well his objections.

He raised a dark brow and leaned in close, trailing his index finger underneath the braided silver chain and following its path over her bare skin down to where it ended just below her breasts. “You’re a little exposed here.” He began to fasten the buttons of the silk blouse she was wearing underneath the black mohair vest.

“Marcus Anthony,” Samantha Daniels admonished walking up with her hand on her hips. “Leave her alone. She looks fantastic.”

“I take it you’re the one responsible for talking her into wearing this.” Marcus turned to glare at Black Cat’s PR intern.

The petite woman shook her head. “Avery picked it out. You know just as well as I do. She makes her own decisions. I just helped her accessorize.”

“If she turns the wrong way, someone’s gonna get an eyeful, Sam.” Marcus resumed fastening buttons. Avery put her hand over his when he got to the one between her breasts. “I think that’s good enough, Marcus.”

“Mary’s in the Ocean room at the end of the hall,” Sam told him. “She wants you to see you.”

Marcus closed his eyes briefly. “Ok.” He kissed the side of Avery’s mouth and then pulled his thumb across her bottom lip, parting it. “No leaning over,” he warned.

Watching him walk away, Avery’s frown transformed into a distracted smile. He looked really good in those low pocketed jeans.

“Avery,” Sam called pulling on her arm.

“Huh?”

“The necklace looks much better when it actually lies against your skin.” She pointed at Avery’s chest.

“Yeah, I know.”

“He’s a little controlling, huh?”

“You could say that,” Avery admitted. “He went ballistic this morning about some innocent pictures of me and Ty from Cold Snake.” She shook her head, the large hoop earrings she wore brushing against her jaw. “And all we did was jam together.”

“I saw those pics.” She raised a shaped brow. “I can see how he might have thought otherwise.”

“The media is becoming like a third person in our relationship.” Avery blew out a breath. “I guess I better get used to it.”

Sam nodded and took a step back looking Avery over, hand under her chin. “The brown leather pants look great with the green silk. And those suede ankle boots! Are they Michael Kors?”

“Yeah. I got ‘em yesterday.”

“Love, love them,” Sam drew out.

“You’re a bad influence,” Avery said with a half-smile. “Marcus says I’m going to need my own closet soon.”

“Fashion’s fun though, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I guess. I never gave much thought to what I wore before, but Mary wants me to work harder on my image. So, I might as well pick things out I like.” She tugged at the low waistband of the hip hugging pants. “These are so tight, though, I couldn’t even fit my cell in the pocket.”

“I don’t think you would hear it in here anyway. It’s pretty loud down between all the guests and the BS tunes piping in through the sound system.” She shrugged and pulled on Avery’s hand. “Come on. I’ll take you around and introduce you to some people.”

“Thanks, Sam. Avery sighed. “I looked through the packet of stuff you sent over and tried to learn all of their names but there were just too many.”

“No worries. That’s what friends and good PR women are for.”

Avery gave Samantha’s hand a squeeze. “How are things with you and JR?” she asked as they strode down the empty basement corridor side by side.

“Good. Real good.” Sam’s face lit up with a beautiful smile. “He’s a bit stressed out about being apart for three weeks though.”

“Duh,” Avery remarked. “Marcus has definitely been stressed about the tour. And we’re going together. JR’s gonna really miss you.” Avery stopped. “And so will I.”

Sam got a funny look on her face that Avery couldn’t decipher. “Me, too,” she eventually said.

After working their way around the Atlantic Room with its blue glass sculptured ceiling and exposed red brick walls, Avery’s face hurt from smiling so much. She never realized how many people had a hand in a big road tour, but she had just shaken about every one of them tonight.

Sam pulled her toward another room that was similarly appointed. Noticing the look on Avery’s face, she whispered, “Only one more after this. Mary has some announcements for the top sponsors, then dinner, and then you’ll be done.”

“Great,” Avery sighed.

Forty-five minutes later, Sam and Avery finally entered the Ocean Room. It was the largest of the private rooms, holding about eighty, with smoky sphere chandeliers hanging down from the exposed brown duct work and a kitchen and bar of its own.

Avery spotted Marcus across the room and gave him a weary look. One side of his mouth crooked up into a lopsided smile. Her heart ached in her chest. It was strange how the smallest things about him made her love him so much.

Next to him, Mary was decked out in a beaded black cocktail dress. Marcus leaned over and whispered something in her ear. She glanced across the room at Avery and nodded. “Ok, everyone,” she announced in a commanding voice, tapping a knife against a crystal wine glass. “Can I have the members of Brutal Strength up here in front with me?”

Avery, JR, and Dwight moved to stand beside her at the head of the two long tables as the evening’s VIPs turned their attention to Black Cat’s CEO.

“First, I want to thank you all for coming tonight and for sponsoring Brutal Strength on their latest tour. Given the number of you present tonight, I would dare say that interest in the band is at an all-time high.” She paused while the light laughter played out. “I’d like to take this opportunity to make a couple of important announcements. First after careful consideration, I’ve selected a tour manager. She’s young but very capable. Samantha Daniels, can you come forward?”

Avery’s gaze flew to her friend’s face. Sam’s smile was huge as she crossed the room. As she passed Avery to stand next to Mary, polite applause filling the room, Avery hissed in her ear, “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!”

Sam grinned.

Avery glanced down the line at JR. The BS drummer’s mossy green eyes were shining with pride and adoration for the young intern who everyone knew had stolen his heart.

“Ok, folks, one more announcement and then we can all enjoy the delicious food Blue Water has provided.” Mary turned to Marcus. “I’ll let you make this one, since it was your idea.”

“Close your eyes, Ace,” he whispered, pulling Avery close to his side.

“What’s going on?” Avery started.

“Trust me,” Marcus said near her ear. She closed her eyes as he continued. “Stephen couldn’t go on the road with us this time, but I was fortunate enough to talk a very experienced AR man into subbing for him.”

“Open your eyes, kid,” a familiar voice intoned.

Avery blinked, meeting a pair of very familiar brown eyes framed by wire rimmed glasses. “Trevor!” she exclaimed throwing her arms around her friend and former manager. He returned the hug earnestly.

“That’ll do it, then.” Mary smiled. “Let’s eat. The band needs to leave for Seattle in a couple of hours.”

“How’d you manage this?” Avery asked, looking from Marcus to Trevor as they took their seats at the table.

“Your fiancé is a pretty determined man.” Trevor smiled, unruly brown bangs falling into his eyes. “Stephen’s promised to cover my clients while I’m gone. Mary more than made it worth my while. And of course, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be a part of your debut tour with BS.”

“Thank you, Marcus,” Avery told him as a uniformed waiter placed a sushi platter in front of them. She looked into his sky blue eyes fringed with long dark lashes. “What an awesome surprise.” She squeezed his hand under the table. “I love you.”

“Ditto, Ace,” he said, squeezing back and placing his hand up on her thigh and resting it there.

Avery picked up her chopsticks and pulled apart a slice of sushi roll for her plate. Taking her first bite, she sighed, savoring the complex textures and tastes of the dynamite roll.

“Mom,” she heard Marcus say and turned to see Rheta approaching them, a serious expression on her face. “What is it?”

“Avery.” She laid a hand firmly on her shoulder. “I need to talk to you both in private. It’s urgent.”