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back.”
    Sighing, Cole stood, helping Ally to her feet. “Come on before he has a coronary.” He kissed her again, slowly and thoroughly, before opening the door.
    “ Let’s go, James,” Ally said, clutching Cole’s hand. Her nervousness was trickling back into her heart and she wondered if anyone had noticed her and Lisa missing.
    Cole and RJ walked them back to Jamie’s car, making plans for the next day. Ally kissed RJ’s cheek before turning to Cole to kiss him goodnight.
    “ I’ll call you in the morning,” she whispered. “And maybe we can do breakfast after my workout.”
    “ Yes, Al, anything you want,” he said, pecking her lips. “Now get out of here before you get caught.”
    “ It was nice to meet you,” Lisa said, the awe still in her voice. She climbed into the back seat as Cole opened the passenger’s side door for Ally.
    Cole shook Jamie’s hand, shot Ally one last wink, and tucked his hands in his pockets. “Get her back safely, man.”
    “ Of course,” Jamie said as he hopped into the car, leaving RJ and Cole to watch them drive away.
 
 

 
    Chapter Four
 
    Cole strolled casually through the silent hotel hallway and knocked softly on Doug’s door, wondering what the early morning meeting was about and how it would affect the time he intended to spend with Ally that day.
    “ Hi, Cole,” Lila, Doug’s niece greeted as she opened the door. “Come in. Doug is still on the phone – in the bathroom - but the other boys are here.”
    He nodded and brushed past her, getting a slight whiff of her perfume. It was light and flowery, just likes Ally’s, but a bit more seductive. He hurried past her to take a seat next to RJ.
    “ Any idea what this is about?” Cole asked. RJ shook his head.
    “ Um, I think Doug is moving your venue tonight,” Lila offered, her full lips curling into a smile. “He didn’t tell me but I heard him on the phone.”
    “ Why would he do that?” Parker asked, jumping to his feet. “I thought we were playing in L.A.?”
    “ You’ll have to ask him,” Lila said with an indifferent shrug. She whirled around and strode to the window, tossing a smooth smile over her shoulder. Her dark eyes met Cole’s and an uncomfortable shudder stole over him. He averted his eyes and concentrated on Parker’s beat up sneakers.
    Doug’s voice rose and fell and they were only able to make out a few words, but they didn’t sound promising.
    “ So, what the hell?” Cole asked in a low voice. “I wonder what’s going on and why we’re not playing in L.A. tonight. Damn.”
    “ I have no idea, bro,” RJ said as he stretched his arms out behind him. “I just hope we don’t have to pull out tonight. I wanted to watch Ally’s game.”
    “ Me, too,” Cole grumbled.
    “ Okay fellas,” Doug said as he came out of the bathroom, cell phone in hand. “Looks like we’re not playing at the Jungle Room tonight – they had a pipe burst and had to shut down.”
    “ So, what now?” Cole asked as he got to his feet. “What are we doing?”
    “ I spoke with Rhys and he managed to get you guys on some San Diego morning show tomorrow,” Doug announced.
    “ Okay,” Parker said slowly, glancing at Cole. “So, what does that mean?”
    Doug scratched the side of his neck and grinned weakly. “We’re cutting out tonight.” He held up a hand to stave off their protests. “I know you boys want to go to that softball game so we’ll leave as soon as it’s over. That’s the best I can do, guys. This San Diego show is pretty popular and Rhys had to practically bend over backwards to get you guys on it.”
    “ How did he manage that?” Parker asked. “I thought they booked guests months in advance or something.”
    “ I guess the producer is a buddy of Rhys’s and he said he could squeeze you guys in,” Doug said with a shrug. “Great opportunity and will hopefully generate some more ticket sales for tomorrow night’s show.”
    Cole released a long breath and