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THIRTEEN

LENNOX

“The Kingstons want a big band for their wedding. From the research I’ve done, it looks like Seven is the next “it” band. Do any of you have a connection that can get us in contact with them? I know it’s last minute…”

I don’t look away from Serena as she lays out what is an almost impossible task, but I can feel the scrutiny of every person sitting at the table.

Seven shot to stardom after they played at a birthday party for Melina Rodriguez—Lake Paige’s best friend and fellow pop star.

It’s rumored that both Kennedy Records and Hall Records are trying to sign them, but the band leader isn’t interested in “selling out.”

If I was at all involved with my family business, I might have some insight, but seeing as how I’m avoiding phone calls from my father and my cousin, I’ve got no idea where they stand with Seven.

Even so, I say, “I’ll see what I can do.”

Every head nods, as if the whole team expected that response from me. My chest grows tight. Dammit, maybe they really did hire me for my connections. If that’s the case, then I won’t be worth much. My entire life, I’ve been valuable only because of my name, connections, and what I can provide.

Though I could ask Millie to help, since her father owns Hall Records, I’d rather try on my own

“How is the Langfield wedding coming along?” Serena asks.

Once again, all eyes land on me, and a bead of sweat runs down my spine.

“They’ve decided on the Seaport Hotel for the reception. We’re working through the rest of the details this week and should have them solidified by Saturday.”

She nods once and closes her binder. Just as I let out a breath, relieved that the meeting is over, she looks up at me. “Let me know when you have the number for Seven.”

Lips pressed together, I nod. Come hell or high water, I need to get her that contact.

“Let’s get the chiffon one,” Millie says, pointing to the computer screen in front of us.

“Yes, definitely chiffon,” Ava agrees.

I hit add to cart and then type in the next item on our list. “Edible glitter.”

Ava scrunches her nose. “That seems messy.”

With a giggle, Millie bounces Vivi on her knee. “Kids are messy, Ave. Besides, the party is outdoors, and Josie deserves all the sparkle.”

With a concerned frown, Ava nods, relenting to the pressure.

I add a variety of colored sprinkles to the cart. “I ordered the cake yesterday.”

“Oh, right. Aiden mentioned you were going cake tasting. How was that?” Millie’s eyes sparkle as she regards me. Stares at me is more like it. What the hell? Does she know about the orgasm thing? Oh my god. I will kill Sara if she told her. My stomach bottoms out. Shit, would Aiden say something to Gavin? He wouldn’t, right?

“What’s wrong?” she asks, her eyes dulling. “Did something happen?”

“No,” I say, drawing out the word. “It went well. Though he ordered a vanilla cake with peach filling.” I shudder at the thought.

“What’s wrong with peach?” Millie asks, straightening and hitting me with a frown.

“Nothing if you’re a savage and like baby food in your cake.”

Ava covers her mouth, but a giggle slips free.

Brow cocked, I eye her. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

Eyes widening, she schools her expression, her cheeks going pink, and shakes her head, clearly trying to remain impartial.

Millie huffs. “It doesn’t taste like baby food.”

“If you say so.” I hum. “Personally, I’m a chocolate girl, but for a wedding, I could be convinced to go with red velvet.”

“Whatever.” Millie drops a kiss to Vivi’s head. “What’s next on your wedding checklist?”

Absentmindedly, I scroll Amazon for party supplies. “We’ve got dance lessons tonight.”

“You’ve got dance lessons?” Ava chirps.

Keeping my attention on the computer screen, I say, “I scheduled them for Aiden and Jill, obviously , but I guess Aiden wants to surprise Jill with a dance, so he asked me to stand in as his dance partner.”

On one side of me, Millie squeaks.

I finally give up ignoring her. “What? Just say it.”

Millie merely lifts her shoulders innocently. “I didn’t say anything.”

“But you wanted to. You want to know why I’m helping my ex-boyfriend plan a wedding to another woman, right? You worry that I’m spiraling. That I’m imagining them walking down the aisle together after having just pledged their undying love and then sharing a passionate kiss in front of all their friends and family.”

“I don’t really see Jill pledging her undying love to anyone,” Millie says evenly.

I roll my eyes. “You know what I meant.”

With a sympathetic smile, Ava squeezes my arm. “It’s okay to admit this is too much. Surely one of your coworkers could take over the planning.”

“She can do this,” Millie says, her chin lifted in assurance. “Or she could admit her feelings to him. Then maybe he’d admit his.”

With an annoyed huff, I push the computer back. “No one is admitting to feelings. I’m planning this wedding because I need this job. I’m going to impress the hell out of my boss and take on other high-profile events so I won’t need my parents’ money, or anyone else for that matter?—”

I snap my mouth shut. Dammit. What is with me word vomiting my thoughts like this? Panting, I force myself to look at my friends. Millie and Ava are staring at me with looks of compassion but, thankfully, no pity.

Millie speaks first. “Of course you can do it. I didn’t mean to say you couldn’t.”

“You didn’t.”

“I get wanting to stand on your own two feet, though I must admit that accepting my family’s help is why I’m finally in the studio recording my own album.”

I deflate. “My family isn’t like yours,” I say, chest tightening. If only… “My parents don’t want to help me become the person I long to be. They want to use me as a prop for business deals. I’d be married off to whichever man makes the most financial sense to my father, and I’d be expected to dutifully appear at events each and every time my mother demands.”

Ava nods. “You need to do this so that you can prove you can.”

I smile. She gets me. I have no idea what her real story is, but there’s a pain lingering just below the surface. A seriousness that keeps her smiles small and her eyes dull. Like she’s living half a life—too afraid to step completely outside the lines someone else has drawn for her.

“But first I need to get contact information for Seven so I can woo them with my sparkling personality.”

“Didn’t they perform at Melina’s party?” Millie asks.

With a grin, I point to her. “That’s the one.”

“I got you, girl. I’ll work a little magic when this one goes down for her nap, and I’ll text you if I get anywhere.”

My stomach flutters. Is accepting her help considered cheating? Or would it be stupid of me not to, since she’s offering? With a deep breath in, I decide it’s the latter.

“Only if it’s not too much trouble.”

Millie shoos me as she stands and bounces Vivi. “Never. Now tell me more about this wedding you’re planning. I want to know everything.”