“Yup. I had my assistant call and book you the show shortly after I spoke with your sister.”

“Nice!” Angus said. “Thank you so much, this is rad!”

Jodi stood up and walked inside to grab a blue folder from the breakfast bar in her kitchen. “This is a copy of our standard agent-client contract with In-Tune. Take it home with you, have your attorney look it over. I know you guys have to meet with other agents to feel things out. That’s fine.”

She handed the folder to Bette who was looking at her with a suspicious eye. Kit stood up and grabbed Jodi, pulling her into a bear hug. She was so excited. The rest of the band stood up to shake her hand with nothing but smiles and enthusiasm for their third gig within a two week time period.

Bette’s skepticism was getting the better of her. In business, a free pass was never a free pass. There were always strings attached. Terms and conditions. She was concerned that the band playing the gig would mean that they were somehow indebted to Jodi; that they either had to sign with her, or owe her a favor. If there was anything Bette hated worse than anything else, it was owing business-related favors.

The band was getting their shoes back on and chatting about what to wear for the upcoming gigs. Bette was studying the contract on the lounger when Jodi sat down on the one next to her.

“Something wrong, Bette?”

“I’m just wondering what you want in return for booking the show.” Bette said matter-of-factly.

“Absolutely nothing.”

Bette scoffed. “Nobody does something like this in business without expecting something in return.”

“Do you want me to cancel the gig?” Jodi asked.

Bette looked at her sister and their friends. They had their arms around each other and were laughing in the California sunshine.

If I say yes, they’ll hate me. Her hands were tied.

“I need some time to figure it out.”

Jodi smiled inwardly, knowing that Bette would look like the bad guy if she forced her to un-book the show.

“The Spaceland appearance contract is in the folder. Have your attorney read that over too. The gig isn’t confirmed unless all performers and/or management team sign the contract. The booking folks there know I’m not the band’s agent. Nor did I misrepresent myself to be. If you like, you can call to speak with them. I understand your doubts, but this is truly genuine. I mean, look around, Bette. I don’t need to represent your sister. But I am happy to help her and your friends out without any cost to them.”

She has a point, it’s not like she’s hurting for the clientele. 

“Okay. I’ll get back to you later this week.”

“That’s all I ask.”

—

As Bette and the band headed out the front door, she remembered her phone had vibrated in the middle of their discussion with Jodi.

She slid her iPhone from her pants pocket and checked it. Tina replied to her message. The corner of her mouth turned upright almost immediately.

As she stepped out the door and onto the tiled parkway in front of the beach house, she opened up the message. Freezing mid-stride, her jaw dropped and eyes widened at the photo the sexy blonde had sent her.