She shoved thoughts of him aside and returned to Smoothie Bowl. As she played it through again, she knew there was nothing left to do. It was finished. Ready to be shown to Kieran. She smiled. She might be a useless, filthy asshole but a day when she wrote a song was always a good day.

She put aside her laptop and closed her eyes. It was almost five. She needed to shower, iron her wedding dress, and curl her hair. She’d planned a 90s bride look for tonight—tiara, frosted lipstick, and silver eyeshadow. And she needed to take out the garbage or at least wash some dishes. She’d run out of plates last week and been eating off her cutting board ever since...

Eden woke sometime later, chips crunching in her hair. It was almost midnight. She had an hour to get to Heartbreakers not looking like a bag of shit. “Fuck!”

She ran to the bathroom, stumbling over last night’s wedding dress and almost hitting the deck. “Fucking fuck!”

She hauled herself into the shower, brushing her teeth as she washed her hair, trying not to spit toothpaste on her feet. She got out in record time, flicking on her hair iron as she smeared concealer on her cheeks.

Her phone buzzed and she snatched it up, sure it was Heartbreakers confirming her rider. It wasn’t. She had a DM from @FrankyB. She frowned. Francis had never messaged her before. Was it a fake account? With shaking fingers, she clicked the conversation thread.

Heard you and Sloan Williams got friendly last night, you little minx.

Eden’s stomach flipped over. She checked the account. It was him, four hundred thousand followers and all. Was he jealous? Or was he giving her shit? She decided to play it cool.

Hah, yeah.

She expected the standard ‘cool guy’ delayed response, but Francis replied in seconds.

He plays for my footy team. I wanted to meet him, but you got there first.

She grinned. He sounded impressed. She’d impressed Francis Buchanan. And all she’d had to do was get an orgasm from an inappropriately nice guy. Another message came through.

Are you seeing him again?

She chewed her inner cheek.

Yeah, he’s coming to my show tonight.

Lucky. Hey, want to sit down together? Talk summer tours?

Eden screamed. Her neighbour pounded on the wall.

“Sorry,” she yelled, furiously typing her reply.

That would be amazing. Say the word and I’ll be there!

Francis sent a thumbs up emoji.

Have fun with Sloan Williams. Talk soon.