“I don’t want to be away from you for one day,” he said, “let alone weeks on end.”

“You’ll do one tour to promote the record and then come home and pick up your life here. That’s what you’ll do.”

“I might be gone for months, Grace. And then what if it takes off?” He shook his head. “I don’t know if I can do it. Buddy will want me to tour with him, which means huge arenas.”

“You’re worried about the stage fright.”

“Yeah. Despite how insanely hot it is, I break into a cold sweat every time I think about performing in front of that many people.”

“Could you maybe refuse to do it?”

“After Buddy paid God knows what for the rights? You think he’s going to just let me get away with doing nothing to promote it?” He ran his hand over the stubble on his jaw. “I hate to say it, but I’ve got to go meet Owen. We’re on in an hour, and I need to set up.”

“We’ll talk about it later. Go have a good time tonight. Nothing’s going to happen immediately, so we’ve got time to figure things out.”

“True.” He leaned in to kiss her. “Try not to worry, okay? It doesn’t change anything that truly matters. I promise you that.”

Grace smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. “Take the car. I’ll get a ride from Laura.”

“Are you sure?”

“You can’t take all those guitars on the bike, Evan.”

“How do you think I got them home?”

Her mouth fell open.

“Psych,” he said with a laugh. “Owen picked them up at the studio and brought them here earlier. I didn’t want them exposed to the heat, so he didn’t take them to the marina.”

“I wouldn’t put it past you to try to bring them on the bike.”

Smiling, he kissed her one more time. “I’ll admit to giving it some serious thought.” He got up and went into the bathroom. As he brushed his teeth, he said, “Make sure you hydrate before you drink tonight. It’s hot as snot.”

“Believe me, I know. It was crazy hot in the store today. Will you be okay playing in the heat?”

“I’ll probably sweat my balls off, but I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t do that. I have plans for them.”

He froze, toothbrush in his mouth, eyes wide with shock.

“What?”

Removing the toothbrush, he said, “You never would’ve said that a year ago. I’ve been a terrible influence on you.”

“Nah, you’ve loosened me up. I’m a better version of my old self thanks to you.”