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“My mom’s a teacher herself, so she loves it. My dad, not so much.”
She wrinkles her nose. “What does he do?”
I swallow a lump of nerves that instantly appear. Do I tell her? I know if she doesn’t hate him, she thoroughly dislikes him. What would she say if I was to tell her he’s my dad? Especially after the fleabag comment a moment ago.
I don’t want to chance it. I like being around her and getting to know her. I’d hate for her to look at me differently because of my stupid father. “He’s in business,” I answer. She waits for me to explain. “Um, he’s based here in the city, but he’s on the move all of the time. He has clients all over the world.”
She grins. “Clients and business? What does he do?”
“Um … he runs an agency firm. He and his agents represent, uh, certain celebrities.” It’s basically true.
“Oooh,” she coos with a smile. “Confidentiality and all that. I get it. Peter doesn’t like us talking about other bands he reps.”
“Right.” I let out an uncomfortable chuckle. “He’s the reason I have the job I have. He kind of put in a good word for me.” Again, it’s basically true.
“So, you’re working at Rich Records, but you want to be a music teacher. Careful, Austin. This music business can eat you up and spit you out.”
“You seem to have done okay.” Holding a French fry, I wave it around the restaurant, smiling. “Look at where we are. You can eat double bacon avocado burgers anytime you want.”
She grins. “That is a perk.”
She takes a sip of her soda while I continue to stare at her. Shawn was right. I am totally crushing on this girl. I knew how pretty she was, but what’s impressed me the most is how down-to-earth she is. I’ve met some pretty famous people, and most of them have some level of professionalism mixed with pleasantness. But it’s mostly because they have to be. If they’re a jerk and let that show, it’ll get around the business and eventually hurt their career. They’re nice because they have to be. Jade is nothing like that.
I didn’t see the diva-like attitude she displayed with Shawn, but even that is understandable to me. She wanted to keep a low profile and was freaked out when the photographers showed up. But she’s been more than cordial with me. She’s been friendly. And honest. She doesn’t have any kind of attitude from being one of the most well-known rock stars in the world. And being with her today, she’s been entirely at ease.
“What?” she asks, catching me staring.
“Oh, nothing.” I look away, scratching my neck.
“No,” she replies, smiling. “What?”
Meeting her gaze, I wish I could see those emerald eyes locked behind her sunglasses. “Seriously, it’s nothing. I just … you’re not what I expected.”
“Expected?”
“Not that I was expecting anything. What I mean is … You’re friendly and warm. You’re not the—” I cut myself off and then look around, whispering, “You’re not the Queen of Kings some might expect.”
“Is that a good thing?” she asks with a slight giggle.
I lift my shoulders, smirking. “I think so. Kristen.” The use of her first name inspires a smile from her. “I gotta say. I kind of like calling you that.”
“Why’s that?”
“I don’t know. Everyone calls you Jade. And I know it’s your name and everything like that, but … Kristen is simple. Easy.”
“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not.”
Picking up a fry from the table, I throw it at her, laughing. “It’s a compliment. Hey, you could be a total snob when you’re in public, but I’d never know it. Jade could be a diva. But this person? Kristen?” My eyes linger on her, and her skeptical grin has morphed into a curious one. “Kristen is kind. I like talking to her.”
Reaching over the table, she takes my hand. “Thank you.” My eyes remain locked on her, my smile staying in place. Her head moves, glancing down at our hands. Shyly, she pulls her hand away, looking at her tray of scattered fries and a burger wrapper. “I’m full.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, me too. I should probably let you get back to work.”
I can’t shake a memory. Listening to her play her song on the first day I met her, I was drawn to her. Utterly mesmerized. But at the time, I thought it was simply her soft voice mixed with those powerful lyrics. That I had been charmed by her song.
Talking to her now, feeling her hand over mine, I know it’s not just her music. It’s her. But she has a boyfriend. She’s a superstar. And if those reasons weren’t powerful enough to jolt my system awake, and remember we live completely different lives, my father should be. She hates him. And she has no idea I’m his son.
