I would love that. See you soon and have a great concert, sweet pea.
I smile. A nice dose of my mama is what I need to get my head on straight. I've been a mess from all the exposure since my career ramped up this summer. And it's just a coincidence that the timing coincides with meeting a certain hulking, hunky bodyguard.
Patting the blankets, I snuggle into the pillows, wondering if a nap will help snap me out of this funk.
"Silver!"
Alice's shriek has me off the bed in less than a second.
I race into the main room in a panic. "What's wrong?"
My heart pounds. I don't even get to enjoy my feet sinking into the rich carpet as I stare at my manager, waiting for my fight-or-flight response to kick in.
"Gia Golding wants you to sing a song with her at the concert!" Alice squeals, jumping up from her chair without breaking her typing rhythm.
"She—what?" My skin breaks out in goosebumps as I process the information.
Alice finally puts her phone down. She grabs my hands and jumps up and down with a huge grin on her face. "She's invited you on stage with her in the middle of her set to sing ‘Coming Home to Him’." Alice squeezes my hands tightly, which is just as well because her touch is the only thing grounding me at the moment.
"I-I don't know what to say." This is a dream come true. Gia is a huge inspiration and an incredible talent.
"I've already said yes." Alice picks up her phone, her fingers flying across the keyboard so fast it's like magic. "We need to get you security."
I sigh. "No, we don't." I don't like having a babysitter, and that's exactly what a bodyguard is. Besides, the idea of anyone but Dane watching over me feels like a betrayal in a weird way. I shake my head, refusing to unpack that unsettling thought right now.
"Yes." Alice's voice leaves no room for argument. "Once news of this duet breaks out, you’ll be hounded by the press. I'll reach out to the company that helped us in Fox Falls."
My insides squeeze, and I snap my head toward Alice. "Why them? Isn't there a local company?"
It's like fate. My mom asks about Dane, and then Alice brings up Fox Falls. I believe in signs, but I'm not sure if this is meant to be a warning.
"We used Sunbreak Security last time," Alice says, glancing up for a moment to catch the confused look on my face. "They’re based here. I'll see if they have anyone available. It's crawling with celebrities this weekend. Did you see that Shane Hart is here for his comeback?” Alice talks as fast as she types, barely pausing to breathe, let alone get my response. “Do you want me to request Hulk again?"
"Hulk?" I know exactly who she means, but I need to buy myself time as I try to avoid Alice's discerning gaze. "Um, no. Whoever they have in town is fine with me."
Alice stares at me for a beat too long but thankfully doesn't comment further.
I turn my attention to the large windows and gaze out at the lights of Sunbreak Harbor.
Singing with Gia Golding.
I hug myself, trying to sort through all the emotions pummeling me at once. I love singing and songwriting, but fame is a whole different story. What if this is the beginning of something I don't actually want?
"Silver, this is going to changeeverything." Alice's voice snaps me out of my muddled emotions. Her wide grin tells me how she feels about that statement.
I give her a forced smile in response.
That's exactly what I'm afraid of.
Chapter two
Dane
"Do you want chicken in your quesadilla?" my sister, Naomi, calls to me from the kitchen.
I look up from the couch where I'm scratching her dog's ears.
"Yes. Thank you." I pat Fred on the head and walk over to settle on the stool at the counter, assessing my sister.
