Page 99 of Fame & Rhythm

Her brows lift. “Oh really? It better be good.”

“It’s… amazing,” I whisper. “I didn’t know someone could feel like that about me. It just feels… right.”

She turns me to face her, her expression serious but warm. “Then, as long as it keeps feeling right, I’m all for it. But the second it doesn’t, you come to me. Promise?”

“I promise.” And I mean it.

“What about Dad, though?” I add. “He barely lets Aston look at me without glaring.”

She tries, and fails, not to laugh. “Your father still sees you as his little girl. Pigtails, scraped knees… not this version of you.”

“But you can see it.”

“I can,” she says gently. “He will too. He just needs time.”

I sigh. “He’s going to be unbearable when I move out.”

She laughs. “Oh, sweetheart… just wait until you get married.” I groan. Her tone softens again. “He’s scared. Not of you growing up, but of you getting hurt. And that’s going to happen at some point, no matter what.” My chest tightens slightly. “But you and Aston know each other,” she continues. “That gives you a better chance than most. Just remember… fame brings attention. And not all of it will be easy to deal with.” I nod slowly. “And please…” she adds with a teasing smile, “… don’t land yourself in an international prison for punching a fan as I did.”

I laugh. “Wow. Supportive.”

She nudges me. “I’m always on your side. So is your dad, even if he shows it badly.”

“Yeah… I guess.”

“Well,” she says, glancing back toward the house. “We should get you inside before he comes looking for us both.”

“Is he going to yell?” I ask, wincing slightly.

“No, sweetheart,” she says quickly. “I was teasing. But I will talk to him about Aston.” Relief washes through me. “He might still be a bit strict,” she adds. “But I’ll work on him. On one condition.”

I look at her. “Okay… what?”

“Promise me you’ll talk to me before you even think about having sex with Aston—”

“Mum—”

“No,” she cuts in firmly. “I’m serious, Annie. You need to make the right choices, and I need to know you’re protected. Promise me.”

I sigh, but smile. “I promise. But as I said, that won’t be for a long time.”

She raises a brow. “Your version of ‘a long time’ and mine might be very different. A month isn’t a long time.”

I roll my eyes. “Relax. I’m thinking more like a year.”

Her shoulders visibly drop in relief. “Well… that’s sensible,” she says. “I just want what’s best for you. You know that, right?”

“I know, Mum. Thanks.”

She smiles. “All right, let’s get back so you can practice before lunch.”

My eyes widen. “Practice sex before lunch?”

She bursts out laughing. “Oh my God, no. Practice music, Annie.”

I huff. “Well, you were talking about sex and then suddenly switched topics. What was I supposed to think?”

She laughs, kissing the top of my head as we head back toward the house. By the time we reach the kitchen, we’re both still laughing, mainly about Ella and her nervous eating, when Dad walks in, already looking annoyed.