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Tom Jones was laughing and spreading his arms like a pop version of Pavarotti when AJ and Brian walked in.
-He's gonna notice we weren't in the concert, Brian whispered.
-No, he's not. Besides we weren't there for Tom. We were there for our dear friend Robin.
Robin had once upon a time played saxophone in their concerts and when they had ran to each other in hotel restaurant he had invited his old bosses to see how far he had got. Tom Jones Show.
-But we weren't there, Brian reminded.
-But he doesn't know, AJ concluded.
Just then Tom Jones saw them. He seemed stunned for a while, trying to remember who they were.
-He doesn't even recognize us, AJ said to Brian. Robin, standing aside of the group that surrounded Tom, pushed himself closer and told Tom their names and status. Wide smile spread over Tom's face when he approached Brian and AJ.
-Well, well, well! What an honor to get two of the populariest pop stars into my concert! How did you like it?
They shook hands strongly.
-I didn't see you backstage, Robin said.
-Um...
-We really enjoyed your concert, AJ joyed, leaving explanations once again to Brian. This time he returned the compliment.
-Something came up. Something extraordinary. You tell AJ, he said smiling bitterly.
-Well...
AJ wasn't very good at coming up with excuses. Usually he just slipped out of the situation but then it seemed impossible. That's when Marilyn stepped in.
-Mr. McLean, Mr. Littrell, we want to thank you for your actions earlier today. You definitely saved our day.
All the guys turned to see her amazed. No one noticed Tinker standing behind her and hiding her face into her hands. Well, no one else than Brian.
-It's nothing, AJ said with dry mouth. He had no idea what just happened. Some, well, quite gorgeous, lady came out of nowhere to save his ass?
-See Mr. Jones, Marilyn began. -We won tickets to your concert and to this party also.
-Congratulations, Tom interrupted. -I hope you enjoyed your concert.
-Well we would have but the thing was that after concert no one came to get us. Not even if they promised to pick us up wit a limo and bring us here. In the hall we ran into these two sweet gentlemen who promised to help us. First they tried to get us backstage but you have really efficient security, Mr. Jones, I have to say. So instead they brought us straight here.
-I didn't see you coming in together, Tom was still little bit doubtful.
-That's because they dropped us here and then went back to theater to see if you were still there. They felt terrible leaving us here alone but we insisted they'd go back. You know that Robin used to play with them?
AJ's mouth dropped open. Girl seemed to know every detail. Who was she? Story she made up was pretty damn convincing.
-They felt so rude, Marilyn said. -But I guess they had left before you got back?
-Yeah, AJ said. -Just few minutes earlier. I'm really sorry Robin, but I really liked the concert. It seems that you can finally play kind of music you always wanted to.
-This explains so much, Tom noted. -Really interesting story, miss...?
-Ms. Monroe. And my friend Ms. Bell.
Hesitating Tinker stepped closer.
-Nice to meet you, Tom said and kissed both on hand. -So you liked my concert?
-Very much, Tinker said trying to keep her voice calm. -You had chosen your repertoire very well. All the classics we wanted to hear with some not so popular, but very beautiful pieces. And version you performed of "Daughter of darkness" tonight was stunning, don't you think?
Tinker looked at Brian, her eyes demanding him to say yes.
-Certainly, Brian then said. -It was... One of the most powerful pieces of tonight.
Tom smiled in a way that told them they succeeded. But most important thing about art of lying is to know when to end.
-If you'll excuse us, we need to go to ladies room, Tinker said and without waiting any response pulled Marilyn with her.
-What the hell do you think you're doing? Marilyn asked angrily when they were outside of the hearing area.
-Doing them a favour, Tinker simply said.
-What kind of favour is this? One I did was much more affective!
-One you did could easily get us into deep trouble.
-Still... Marilyn tried. -It's AJ and Brian, you know? I mean, of all the people we ran into those two. You can't deny that you wouldn't want to drag Brian into some private lounge and have a little bit of "conversation" with him? Oh. Just seeing AJ like this makes my heart bouncing.
Tinker didn't reply but kept walking into direction she thought would finally lead to ladies room. Her heart was bouncing too, right, but for a different reason. AJ and Brian. Of all the people. Of all the places in the world. Of all the people AJ and Brian in Dublin, in the same part with Tom Jones and more important, with them. How could I happen? Why did it happen? And was there anything she could do to prevent it?
Tinker tried. She almost got Marilyn tricked to leave the party when AJ stood in front of them. He was wearing black sleeveless shirt and red leather pants. On anyone else those would have looked ridiculous but on AJ... He was just hot.
-There you are, he said. His voice was rusty, more darker than ever before. For a moment Tinker got to think how it would sound if he'd sing right there and then. Would it still make the same creeps running trough her body that it used to do? Then she shook her head and tried to clear her mind.
-Hey. We were just leaving.
-No, we weren't, Marilyn said. -Or were we?
She looked at Tinker who couldn't defense in any way.
-So we were, Marilyn's voice was full of annoyance. -But now we aren't, right?
Tinker didn't say anything, just looked away. She didn't mean to ruin only fun they probably would have during their stay in Dublin, but she was concerned.
-I wanted to thank you for coming to rescue us. That was one hell of the story you told, AJ said to Marilyn. -And you knew who Robin was... That's amazing. Well, almost scary but still.
-Who could forget Robin playing his saz in concert when you sang "Forget me not"?
AJ hummed song for few bars. -Right. And you kept us in your mind.
-You could say that.
Tinker, who still kept looking away, trembled a little hearing the tone of flirting that had got into their voices.
-Are you sure you don't want to leave? she asked from Marilyn knowing that her effort was useless. Marilyn looked at her like she was a maniac.
-On a night like this you just want to go home? Oh, Tinker. You're unbelievable. Mr. McLean, would you care to dance?
-Call me Alex.
-OK, Alex, are you gonna take me to dance of do I have to carry you on my back to the floor?
AJ laughed and offered his hand to Marilyn.
-See you later, sister! she yelled to Tinker. -Try to have at least some fun. I know you can do that!
What a hottie, AJ thought when he was walking Marilyn to dance floor. Girl kept babbling about anything but she didn't do it out of nervousness like most women in his presence but just because it was her habit. She looked damn good. Dress that she wore was low cut in every possible place but still left room for imagination. That was good. AJ was tired of women wearing practically nothing and thinking that they were sexy. If he wanted to see naked women he'd go to strip club. Something he wouldn't do with Brian ever again. He hadn't said no when AJ suggested it previous night but when they went AJ felt like he was with his father - or little brother - and felt embarrased when he turned on. Brian seemed just to observe rather than experience.
-What's your name? AJ asked when they were dancing. Asking questions seemed only way to get close. Music was something like eighties hits mixed for dance floor. Everlasting Tom Jones Show.
-Marilyn, she answered.
-Marilyn, I like that. But wait, didn't you say that your last name was Monroe?
-Yeah.
-So you're Marilyn Monroe?
Girl smiled temptatingly. -No, not really.
-But your name...
-My real name is Martha Monroe. Uh! I hated it. So when I changed school at age of 11 I wanted everyone to start call me Mary. Of course I was too young to understand what it would come down to.
-Mary Monroe... Marilyn, AJ said. -I get it. And now?
-Now I'm so used to it that I can't really imagine myself having any other name. And as you may know, having a famous name doesn't hurt you, most of the time it helps you.
-I can't believe I'm dancing with Marilyn Monroe.
-I can't believe I'm dancing with Alexander James McLean.
They smiled to each other. Suddenly music turned into slow R'n'B. AJ lifted his hands into her hips and she let them stay there. Slowly the got closer until their hips were touching, just from the side, just a bit, accidentally. Marilyn lifted her hands over her head and just let her body swung. She couldn't look him into eyes. She didn't need to. She knew what was there.
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