Chloe shrugged. “Moving across the country is kind of a big deal. I don’t know if I’m ready to up and leave New York just yet.”
Reid nodded, but he seemed tense. When he spoke, there was an edge to his voice that wasn’t there before. “If I made some calls, talked to some people, and got a few leads on some serious gigs, would you think about it? Unless, of course, there’s someone keeping you there.”
Chloe snapped her head in his direction, her eyes wide. “Like a guy?” she asked, her tone incredulous. When Reid gave a sharp nod, she laughed. “Did you miss the whole horrible dating/tattoo story? Believe me, the last thing holding me in New York is a guy.” A frown twisted Chloe’s mouth and she looked away. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she wished there was someone waiting for her. Someone she could fall asleep talking to about her day. Someone to share her excitement and insecurities with. She cut her eyes to Reid through a curtain of hair, her frown deepening. The past few weeks she’d done all of those things with Reid, but it wasn’t the same.
“Hey,” he whispered, his thumb and forefinger cradling her chin and coaxing her head up to meet his gaze. “What’s wrong?”
Chloe gave him an embarrassed smile. Her eyes swept over his face, cataloging his features one by one. From the intensity of his piercing hazel eyes framed by thick lashes, to his strong jaw covered in scruff. Everything about him was so appealing, yet completely unobtainable. The thought was sobering and brought forth a level of honesty that neither was prepared for.
“I wish there were,” she admitted, feeling silly and ashamed all at once. “You’re so lucky to have Jess. Some days I’m perfectly happy, and others . . . Well, other days, I’d give anything to have what you two have.”
Reid smiled and bumped her shoulder. “Well, I could put an ad on Craigslist for an upstanding Leo. It’s that or clone myself. It’s really up to you.”
Chloe smacked his shoulder and laughed, already feeling lighter. “What on earth makes you think I’d want a clone of you? Do you have any idea how difficult your Jedi training has been? Two of you?” Chloe blew out a heavy breath. “Even Yoda has limits, Padawan.”
Reid sucked his teeth and playfully cut his eyes in her direction. “Maybe I should consider joining the Sith.”
Chloe gasped dramatically and stopped abruptly on the sidewalk. “How dare you say such things?” With narrowed eyes, she pointed her finger in his face. “When karma comes and cuts off your hand or turns you into this gross, old, wrinkled guy, just remember you only have yourself to blame.”
“Jesus,” Reid chuckled, grabbing her extended finger and tugging on it playfully. “Your Star Wars love is hardcore.”
Chloe bowed her head and shook it sadly. “Sign of my failure, your doubt is.”
Without warning, Reid wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her to his side, laughing when she stumbled and grabbed his shirt to steady her steps. “Don’t ever stop being weird,” he murmured, hugging her close before loosening his grip but not letting go, as they continued down the busy sidewalk. “So what do you say? Will you think about it?”
Chloe sighed and leaned against him. “Yeah, I’ll think about it.”
The heat was nearly unbearable. Reid poured a bottle of water over his head and into his mouth. The audience screamed as the water cascaded down his chest and caused the thin material of his T-shirt to stick to his skin. He tossed the empty bottle into the crowd and turned toward Drew and Greer. Their hair was drenched, their shirts darkened with sweat. From the expressions on their faces, they were just as miserable as Reid. He looked to the side of the stage for Chloe. When he realized she wasn’t there, he decided to engage the crowd to buy her a little more time.
“Had I known I needed to include air conditioning costs in the ticket prices, I would have done so,” Reid said into the microphone, causing the cheers to erupt.
“Greer,” Reid called, moving toward his position on stage. “How are you holding up, man?”
Greer shook his head, sweat flying from his face and hair. “I’m going to need a whole lot of alcohol to replenish my fluid loss.”
“And you?” Reid asked, moving toward Drew.
Drew smiled and yanked his shirt off, causing screams to pierce the air. “I think after this show, I’m going skinny-dipping.”
Reid laughed at the suggestive smile Drew flashed the crowd. He had no doubt Drew would have more offers than he knew what to do with when the show was over.