Page 7 of Forever Country (Forever Bluegrass #24)

A nnaleigh stopped on the way to work and picked up a can of mace that was attached to her purse and looked like a blinged-out accessory instead of a non-lethal weapon.

It made her feel a little more confident walking down the sidewalk to work, but she was still paranoid.

That was, until she thought of Holt. Then all she felt were warm fuzzies.

“What the hell is going on?” Maddie hissed the second Annaleigh stepped onto the second floor. “Your parents are in a frenzy talking about signing Holt freaking Everett.”

The smile dropped from her face as reality came crashing back down.

“I went running last night and some guy was on my property who started to chase me.” Maddie gasped and instantly asked a hundred questions.

Annaleigh held up her hand to slow her down and finished telling her about running to her new neighbor’s house for help and finding Holt Everett there.

“This is totally swoon-worthy. He gave you his clothes, he rushed out to fight someone to protect you, he gave you his number, and told you he’d walk you to your car because he wanted you to feel safe.

” Maddie’s eyes were wide as she repeated it all.

“There’s no way the Broadway Bachelor is that freaking nice.

I mean, just have a parade of green flags already.

Please tell me you’re going to text him! ”

Annaleigh didn’t know what to do, but Maddie was seeing it the same way she was. “But what if he’s that kind of nice guy and he’s not interested in me at all romantically?”

“No way. That protectiveness screams boyfriend vibes. He did say to text him when you get to work. Text him and see how he responds.”

Saxton knocked on the door, interrupting her and Maddie. “Mom and Dad want us in his office.”

Annaleigh sighed and nodded. “I’ll be right there.” Saxton turned and headed off without closing her door. “I’ll text him when I get done with my parents.”

“Good luck. You know what they’re going to say, right?”

Annaleigh nodded. “Unfortunately. Hey, if I left and started my own company, even if I were blackballed, would you come with me?”

“I’d do more than that. I have some money saved. I’d buy in to be your partner.”

“Really?” Annaleigh was so shocked she really didn’t know what else to say.

“You’ve become my best friend. Yeah, I’m just your assistant, but you know I’ll have my business degree by the end of the year. I’m actually using the scenario of us setting up our own business as a model for my final project.”

“You’re my best friend too. Let’s talk about this out of the office, okay?”

Maddie’s face lit up. “Yeah, I’d love that. Are you really considering this?”

Annaleigh nodded, but dropped her voice. “Holt inspired me. Don’t say anything yet. I need to look at this from all angles and see if it’s even feasible.”

“Holt, huh? Told you he was swoon-worthy. There’s nothing hotter than a man who believes in you.”

Maddie was correct. How had Holt given her more confidence in twelve hours than her family had in a lifetime?

“About time,” her father said when she entered the office. “What kept you? It’s not like you have a real job.”

Annaleigh would normally let the jab roll off her, but today was different. Today she had a best friend who wanted to go into business with her. Today she had Holt who cared enough to simply walk her to her car to make sure she was safe. Today she wasn’t going to be a doormat.

“Actually, Dad, I’m the only reason your company has any goodwill in the industry with all the work I do helping develop singers and my community outreach. Now, what was so important?” Annaleigh didn’t sit down. She didn’t want to be here any longer than necessary.

Her mother looked ready to spit nails. “How dare you after everything we’ve done for you?

You’re acting as if you hadn’t been driven home by Holt Everett.

You know he’s our number one. And yet you’re whining about community outreach instead of getting him to leave that nobody manager he’s with and sign with us. ”

“You’re not even going to ask why I was with him?” Annaleigh couldn’t believe it. Well, sadly, she could.

Her brother snorted. “I think we all know what you were doing with him.”

“You do know I don’t have to sleep with people to get them to become clients, right?” she shot back at her brother. “That’s your thing.”

“I don’t care if you sleep with him or not,” her father snapped. “Just lock him down as a client.”

“For your information, the reason I was with Holt was because I’m being stalked and someone chased me down by the lake last night.

Someone is following me, and I’m scared shitless and I need help.

At least a security guard in the lobby.” Annaleigh took a deep breath. It felt good to admit and ask for help.

Her mother rolled her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic, Annaleigh. No one wants a hysterical woman with baggage. Now, tonight you’ll have your chance to see Holt again.

It’s the Country Stars for... I don’t remember what the charity is.

It’s something. But he’s co-hosting it. Now, make yourself useful and sign him.

He’ll make our company, especially after Neal’s mess of an album.

It was a total embarrassment. We need to distract clients with something new and better.

I mean, Neal didn’t make the charts with his second album. Thank God we signed Earl.”

Annaleigh felt defeated. Her parents didn’t care.

Instead of agreeing to anything, Annaleigh spun on her bootheel and walked back to her office.

Maddie quickly joined her and closed the door.

Maddie’s sympathetic face told Annaleigh she’d heard everything.

“I’m sorry, hun.” Maddie reached out and squeezed Annaleigh’s hand.

“How much research have you done for your project?”

Maddie shook her head. “I’m in the outlining phase.”

“Well, when you do, make sure you calculate in my current client list. I don’t have an employment contract with my parents. That means I can take all my clients with me when I leave.”

“When, not if? Damn girl, get a little hottie in your life and you’re ready to go. I can’t imagine what you’ll be like when you sleep with him. I’ll tell you what though, I’m here for it!”

Annaleigh chuckled even as she knew she was blushing at the idea of sleeping with Holt. “I’m not sleeping with him. He showed me that it’s okay to take calculated risks. So, let’s start calculating what we need in order to be able to take this risk.”

“I’m on it, just like you’re going to be on Holt Everett.”

Speaking of Holt. A text came through from him just as Maddie closed her office door. It’s Holt. I haven’t heard from you and got worried. Did you make it to work safely?

So, this is what it was like to have someone care. I did. Thank you for checking on me.

Holt: Are your parents going to get security?

Annaleigh: No. They said I was just being dramatic.

Annaleigh stared down at the phone. The bubbles appeared, then disappeared for a while before reappearing. I can stay in the city until you leave and walk you to your car. Call me when you’re getting ready to leave and I’ll meet you at your office.

Guilt weighed heavy on her. Holt was going to change his whole day around for her.

While that made her feel very valued, it also made her feel guilty.

Please don’t. I know you’re busy. I won’t work late and I’ll leave with Maddie.

She’s my assistant, but more importantly, my best friend.

We’re both going to that charity gala tonight.

My parents already informed me that you will be in attendance.

That’s my subtle warning that my parents want me to flirt with you to get you to sign with them.

Holt: I won’t be upset about the flirting if you won’t be upset that I won’t sign with them.

Annaleigh smiled as he read the text. Did Holt want her to flirt with him? Because it felt like they already were. Deal. I have something else to tell you, but it’ll be better to discuss tonight. Don’t worry if you’re too busy being the co-host. We can talk anytime.

Holt: I’ll never be too busy for you. See you tonight, sweetheart.

“Maddie!” Annaleigh stood up from her desk as Maddie rushed in. Annaleigh shoved her phone to her best friend. “Am I reading too much into this because I’m reading this as Holt Everett is flirting with me.”

Maddie’s eyes ran over the texts before her face broke out in a huge smile.

“Hun, the Broadway Bachelor is definitely flirting with you. I think we need to get new dresses for tonight. I was going to wear an old little black dress, but now that I know I’ll be meeting Holt Everett, I need something more.

And you definitely do. You need something eye-popping. ”

Annaleigh looked down at the paperwork on her desk. “I have from two to three open. Let’s run down to that boutique we love so much.”

“This time, you listen to me on what dress to get, okay? We’re going to make sure Holt Everett writes a song about you.”

Holt stared down at his phone as he read back over the texts. Was he pushing things too fast? She wasn’t flirting with him, but she also wasn’t pulling back from his flirting. But he was worried about one thing. Well, two to be exact — her parents.

“Hey, Holt. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Holt looked up from his phone as Paisley Collins entered the recording studio.

She’d been his mentor for almost ten years.

Opening for her tour gave him his big break.

He’d remembered that and made sure he was always there to support her in any way possible.

Now, they’d be on her new album together.

He’d written the perfect duet for them to sing and even had an idea for the new album he was still recording, even if it was tentatively slated for release in six months.

First though, he had to finish contract negotiations with his label.