“Absolutely.” X took a long pull of his beer. “He’s already asking for baby number two.”
Chuckling, Andrew said, “I’m sure that didn’t go over well with Zara.”
“Hell no.”
The waitress returned with his beer. Andrew thanked her, then turned his attention back to X. “I’m glad to see you happy, bruh. Marriage and fatherhood definitely agree with you.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” X told him. “They are my life.”
Andrew wondered if he’d ever feel that way about someone. Having a family had always felt like a pipe dream, something thatmighthappen after he’d risen the corporate ladder. But the novelty of money and status had worn off, and he found himself wanting more out of life than hours in front of the computer, long meetings, and turbulent flights around the world.
“It’s a good feeling,” X continued. “But enough about me. What’s going on with Paige?”
Andrew wasn’t surprised X knew there was something going on with Paige. “I guess you’ve already talked to Skye?”
X shook his head. “No. But I’ve heard some rumblings.”
Andrew smiled. “I swear you’re becoming your father, man.”
Jax Starks knew a lot about everything, from industry news and potential investments to office gossip. It was a gift that Andrew never really had. He tended to get so engrossed in his work that he missed a lot of the extra shit.
“What can I say? He taught me well. And so did you.”
When Xavier declared he wanted to be an agent, Andrew had taken the former child star under his wing. X had been eager to learn and determined to prove himself to his father and the world. Now X was ready to step into his father’s role as president of the agency. As much as Andrew would miss Jax, he was confident the company was in good hands with X.
“You’ll fill his shoes nicely,” Andrew said.
“Not likely. I’m wearing my own shoes. By the way, I read over the report you sent me the other day. Pure Talent Audio is surpassing expectations. I’m pleased.”
Andrew thanked him. “I’m just doing what needs to be done.”
Xavier finished his beer. “Ready to take it a step further? Are you interested in jumping in on a new endeavor?”
“You know I am.” Andrew couldn’t deny the appeal of working on a new venture. He didn’t mind giving his time and expertise to the company that had given him so much. Jax had taken a chance on him and had sowed a positive seed in Andrew’s life. And he wanted to see the company grow and diversify.
“I’m not ready to reveal my plan just yet,” X continued. “But you’ll be the first to know when I am.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Which leads me back to Paige . . .”
Andrew didn’t know how that led his friend back to Paige, but he’d roll with it. “You won’t let this go, huh?”
“Not at all. What’s up?” X asked.
“She left town.” Andrew gave X a brief rundown of the situation with Julius and Paige’s subsequent disappearance. “I’m handling it, though.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re on it. Paige is one of our best clients and a friend. I hope she’s okay.”
“She will be.” Andrew cleared his throat. “I’m actually in town to talk to Tina. I heard she’s renting a place in Buckhead right now.”
“My father mentioned something to me about that. Hopefully, she can shed some light on it.” X ordered another round of beer for both of them. “But let me ask you something. Why have you been so distant with her? I mean, I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve never seen you with any other client the way you are with her.”
“I treat all of my clients the same way,” Andrew lied. “And I felt it was necessary to shift some of my responsibilities to Vonda so that I could focus on Audio.”
“Even Paige?”
Especially Paige. “Yes.”
