Speaking of famous people, I didn’t see much of Trev over the next few days. I had to go to the offices again to sign contracts, one for the temp position and another agreeing for the show to use footage of me if needed.

I didn’t think too much of it, because I doubted anyone would be paying attention to me, not when there were five famous free runners to focus on. I might show up in the background once or twice, but that was it. Anyway, I was excited to see what it was like filming the show first-hand.

It was a few days before we were set to travel to Brussels by train when I heard a knock on my door. My heart hammered and my cheeks heated, thinking it might be Trev. But when I answered it was only Karla. Not that I wasn’t happy to see her. And I was, except for the less-than-jovial look on her face.

“Come in,” I said, and she went to sit on my couch. She crossed one leg over the other, her dower expression dampening my previous excitement for the upcoming trip.

“Lee told me that you’re going to Europe with Trevor,” she said, clasping her hands together. Karla had a natural air of authority that in this moment made me feel like I’d just been called to the headmaster’s office.

“Karla, I was going to tell you. It’s just—”

“Trev flashed you a smile and you forgot everything that happened before?” she asked knowingly.

I sighed and slumped down onto the couch beside her. “No.” Yes. “You know things have been tough for me lately. Music is a hard business, and I’d be crazy not to take this opportunity. I know I’ll be working during the day, but in the evenings I’ll get to perform. I’ve already booked a bunch of gigs.”

She eyed me for a long moment. “And that’s all this is about? Getting to perform in new cities?”

“Of course,” I answered stiffly. “Well, and I like being around the group. They’re a fun bunch. What else would it be about?”

I immediately regretted the question when Karla’s expression turned cynical. “I’m not going to dignify that with an answer.” She paused and exhaled heavily. “I just want to make sure you’re going to be okay. I know Trev’s been making positive changes, but he’s still him, Reya. What if he starts seeing girls while you lot are travelling? How will you handle that?”

“It wouldn’t bother me,” I lied, both to myself and to her. I thought that maybe if I kept lying it would eventually become the truth. “We’ve agreed to be friends. Just friends.”

“That didn’t work out so great last time.”

“We’re older now, and wiser. At least, I am. This time it will be different,” I said and I meant it. I was determined to enjoy myself and not develop feelings for Trev other than purely platonic ones. We were friends once. We could do it again. Besides, I needed this opportunity—both personally and professionally—and I had no intention of messing it up.

Karla stared at me, as though trying to decide if she believed me. In the end, she dug inside her bag and pulled out a piece of paper. “Here. I made a list of Escrima classes in the cities you’ll be visiting. Just in case you want to practice while you’re away.”

I smiled and took it from her, touched by the gesture. I knew this was as much of a blessing as she was going to give me. “Thanks. I never thought of that,” I said and peered down at the list.

When we first became friends, Karla had seen something in me, a glimpse of the truth, and suggested I learn how to defend myself. She’d always been very perceptive like that, which was probably what made her such a good policewoman. Escrima was a Filipino martial art and a great way to combine working out with self-defence. It gave me a newfound confidence, and I’d been attending weekly classes with her for years now.

She stayed for a while before heading back to work. I made a start on packing, and it was a bigger task than I anticipated. Not only did I need three weeks’ worth of outfits, I also needed to bring my keyboard and all my other sound equipment with me.

On the morning of our train to Brussels, I was running around like a headless chicken trying to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. Trev arranged for my gear to be added to the camera crew’s, so I didn’t have to lug it around with me.

I expected him to just honk the horn when he arrived to collect me, but instead he came and knocked on the door, leaving a taxi idling outside.

“Hey,” I greeted, out of breath. “I’m almost ready.”

“Are those your bags?” he asked, gesturing to the stack by the door.

“Yes,” I answered, wandering around the flat and checking to make sure everything was plugged out.

“I’ll carry them to the car, so take your time. We’re early.”

I nodded and finished up, then hurried out to the taxi. I slid in beside Trev, and we were off.

“So,” I began, pulling up the train schedule and itinerary Jo had forwarded to my email. “We arrive in Brussels around two and there’ll be cars waiting to transport everyone to our accommodation. There are two apartments for the camera crew and one for the cast, including Neil and myself. Leanne and I are going to share a room, which leaves you bunking up with Callum, and Paul and James will share. There’s a small fourth bedroom that Neil will have for himself.”

A warm hand touched mine and I glanced up. “Relax. Neil already gave us the rundown.”

“It’s more for myself than anything else. I like saying things out loud to get them straight in my head.”

He smiled. “I know. I remember.”

A moment passed between us, but I quickly drew my hand away and turned my attention back to my phone. “Jo ordered groceries to be delivered to all three apartments, so I need to make sure I’m there to collect them. The rest of today and tomorrow are free, but you guys start filming first thing Wednesday. I have a gig booked for that night. I hope that’s okay,” I said, glancing up at him.

Interest marked his features. “’Course it’s okay. Can I come?”

I swallowed, goosebumps rising on my skin. “Uh, sure.”

My acceptance was wary, because whenever Trev came to watch me perform in the past it had always been intense. It was something we both ignored for years, didn’t speak of, but I had to admit the sexual undertones were there. He never took his attention off me while I was on stage. I knew it even though I rarely opened my eyes when I sang. It was a weird hang-up I had, and Trev was obsessed with it. He always counted it as an odd little victory whenever he managed to catch my gaze. It was like I could sense him looking, daring me to cast my eyes his way.