Page 58 of Save Your Breath

I was glad we’d decided to host the release party at my house in LA. Not just because this property was far too vast to only house me ninety percent of the time, but because I knew all the places I could escape to for a quiet moment here.

I followed Isabella around the house as she showed me the incredible transformation of the space, thanks to my house manager, Renee, and the event crew she’d hired to help. Fine linens and carefully curated lighting set the tone for the event, along with a popular new DJ on our label spinning soft but pleasant music.

Most of the guests were hanging out around the pool and enjoying the gorgeous August evening. We hadn’t made the guest list a huge one, but rather stuck to those in the industry I was closest with, along with a handful of lucky fans selected to join us.

I was in the middle of taking a selfie with one such fan when Mom and Dad showed up.

I felt like a little girl as I squealed and flew into my mother’s arms. No matter what was going on in their lives in Chicago, they never missed my big events. Album release parties, the first night on tour, award ceremonies — whenever I needed them, they were there.

“Oh, you look stunning,” Mom said when I wrapped her in a hug, holding on tightly for longer than usual. She didn’t break the hug, though. She held me just as fiercely before pulling back and framing my arms in her hands, her eyes searching. “Absolutely breathtaking.”

“What she said,” Dad mirrored, and he tugged me in for a side hug and a kiss against my temple once Mom and I let go. “How are you feeling, my little star?”

“Amazing,” I lied.God, I hated that it was a lie. It grated on my nerves more and more as the night went on that I didn’t feel the way I usually did at these events. “I can’t believe tonight’s the night.”

“You’ve worked so hard,” Mom said. She threaded her fingers together with mine and squeezed. “We are so proud of you.”

“Extremely proud,” Dad added. He picked up a glass of champagne from a passing tray, taking a sip of it with his eyes scanning the crowd. “Quite an impressive turnout tonight.”

“I’ll never get used to being in the same room with Huxton Crow,” Mom added, her cheeks tinging pink. “He is just so…”

Her voice faded as her eyes flicked up to my father, who had cocked a brow and was waiting with an amused smile for her to finish that sentence.

“Talented,” she said.

“Uh-huh. I’m sure that’s all you admire about him, honey. Histalent.”

Mom released my hand so she could slide into my father’s side, and he wrapped one arm around her and kissed her hair.

“He’s got nothing on you, my love,” she promised.

The way they looked at each other made my chest seize.Thatwas the kind of love I yearned for, the kind that I wrote songs about. Thirty years together and they were still just as madly in love as day one.

Dad smirked before he was serious again, his brows folding a bit. “So, will yourboyfriendbe joining us this evening?”

He took a sip of his champagne after the question, as if that would mask his clear distaste. I couldn’t help but smirk a little because my father had always been a little protective when it came to me.

“Charlie,” Mom warned.

“In fact, he will,” I answered. “Any moment now.”

“Really?” Mom lit up then. “Oh, I can’t wait to see him. It’s been far too long.”

I sipped my own champagne before eyeing dad. “Don’t act likeyouaren’t excited to see him, too.”

“I’d be more excited if the last time I saw him wasn’t on the header of a blog mauling my daughter.”

I rolled my eyes. “It was just a little kiss. And I hate to break it to you, but there will be more of that. It’s kind of the whole point of this charade.” I made sure to say that last part quietly just in case anyone was trying to listen in on our conversation.

“I still don’t understand why it’s necessary,” Dad grumbled, taking my cue to speak softly.

“Well, it’s a good thing I have a highly paid team whodoesunderstand then, isn’t it?”

Mom chuckled at my dad’s displeasure, patting his chest. “Oh, he’ll be fine. He’s always going to see you as his little girl. We’re just happy you told us about it instead of making us believe it was real. Aren’t we, sweetheart?”

Dad grumbled in response, and Mom and I chuckled while sharing a knowing look.

It was the strangest thing, because I knew when Aleksdidshow, my father would wrap him into a bear hug and probably steal him away for most of the night to talk about hockey. That was what happened nearly every holiday Aleks joined us in Chicago since graduation. Those two loved each other.