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Still there? I need to know the plan for tomorrow night.
Me
Eight o’clock at Tansy Haleen’s up-and-coming restaurant, Viva.
Bosshole
Really. How’d you pull that off?
Me
It’s better not to share details…just in case you get subpoenaed.
Bosshole
Funny. Fine. Arrange a private transport to pick me and Shaylin up from the airport at 7:30.
Me
Will do.
His response bubble populates a few times before ultimately it disappears. He must decide against “thank you” or “goodnight.”
That’s okay. His rudeness only adds fuel to flames, and at this point, I’m channeling my inner phoenix. I’m going to wipe that stupid, cocky smirk off of Nathan’s face if it’s the very last thing I do.
13
Nathan
Holy shit, she’s handsy. I thought I would be the one groveling tonight.
I’m not a fan of celebrity god complexes, but if anyone has earned an ego, it’s Shaylin. She works harder than anyone in the industry. Her real name is Shaye Linda Colette, but the world knows the pop star by her stage name. Anytime I meet a person who only goes by one name, like a Madonna wannabe, I brace myself for narcissism. Instead, Shaylin has shown nothing besides humble and considerate since we got into the back of this car together. It’s nice to see a singer-songwriter who is more passionate about her craft than her fame.
Her only crime is being a little more flirty than I’d care for. I’ve been tolerating her hand on my knee for the past ten minutes of this ride, but when her fingers tiptoe up my thigh, I make an excuse to hop into a seat on the other side of the stretch Escalade.
“Would you like some water?” I grab two flutes from a hidden compartment between the captain seats.
Shaylin’s bright red lips curl into a mischievous grin. “I believe those are for champagne.”
Right she is. Her sparkly, sequin dress reflects off the champagne flutes I’m holding. But there’s no way I’m drinking in this back seat with a woman who is acting like she wants to mount me. “How about we stick with water for now? I’d hate for alcohol to influence your business decisions.”
“All work, no play.” She winks at me, still not answering my offer of water. That’s probably good because I don’t actually see any water back here. Just bottles of champagne on ice.
“This is a working dinner, right?”
She silently nods before tucking a loose strand of her long, blond hair behind her ear.
“The reason my dad and I wanted to reach out to you in the early phases of development is because, if you decide to commit to at least a one-year residency, we’d like to construct the stage to fit your needs. Your last tour had a water element. It was visually stunning. We’d love to recreate that energy.”
“So, you’re trying to steal my tour ideas?”
“What? Not at all, I just?—”
She giggles. “Calm down, Nathan. I’m kidding. Thank you,” she adds in a honey-smooth voice. “That’s very considerate to offer me some creative say in the construction. Actually, the residency caught my attention because all the aggressive travel is starting to take a toll on my health. It’d be nice to settle down for a while.”
“Sounds like this is ideal timing.”
“Perhaps.” She runs the tip of her pointer finger across her bottom lip. Maybe I’m imagining it, but she’s giving off lioness vibes, and I may look like dinner. I really hope her endgame is a disgustingly large lump sum of money, and not getting into my pants. I’m stupid, really. You don’t throw away a chance with Shaylin. She’s worth almost as much as I am, and of course she’s attractive, but my mind is on one thing right now…