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Bailey nodded. “I heard. You’re taking care of Lisa Nichols’ baby girl.”
Zoe’s chest swelled. She could see why Alex loved the baby girl. Celine was lovable. Alex. She figured out his eye color. Ice green. She looked up rare eye colors on the internet. It was the only explanation. Blinking, she saw the ladies awaiting her answer. “Yes, I was a nanny before I moved here so I had experience.”
Mrs. Cummings’ nodded. “Well your timing couldn’t be perfect. Between Pam running her business and Alex being with Bailey’s band, Lisa needed an extra pair of hands.”
Zoe swallowed. Alex had shown concern for her the other night. She didn’t mean for her thoughts to take over. Some days were better than others, but seeing his eyebrows draw together and his eyes soften towards her had been endearing. She rubbed the back of her neck. “Glad I could help.”
“Well,” Mia said, still holding another dress in her hand. “Are you going to try this one on?”
Bailey reached out for the dress. “Might as well.”
Zoe’s chair groaned as she adjusted in her seat. She could do this. She could take
care of Celine and ignore Alex’s flirtatious looks. The way his eyes stared. Or how he showed interest in... her. It didn’t matter.
She knew men like him. Zoe knew them in college. She dated one. Jayden. He was no good from the beginning, but Zoe had ignored her parents’ warnings. They kept a tight leash on her in high school, but by the time she went to college, Zoe went her own way.
The first time she saw Jayden, her knees had weakened. She looked past the red flags. His attitude. His reckless partying. The drinking. That’s how it started, but Zoe was too in love to see his shortcomings. Then... that fateful night showed. She ruined his life. She hadn’t seen him since.
“Bailey, I think that’s the one,” Noelle said.
Zoe refocused and spotted Bailey out of the dressing room. Elegant lace over a nude lining, shaped a rounded neckline, and a seemed sleeveless bodice. The seaming continued into a figure flaunting sheath midi skirt with scalloped, eyelash lace hem. Bailey brushed her hands against the front as she stood in front of the mirror. Zoe had to agree with Noelle. The dress was perfect.
“I think that’s it,” Mia said. She touched a hand to her chest.
“It’s gorgeous,” Kenya added.
Mrs. Cummings hugged her daughter once more. “I think they made it for you.”
Zoe sighed. “It’s perfect.” She was happy for Bailey and her brother, despite the twinge inside her chest.
Chapter 6
In the large performance area of the studio, Alex tapped his sticks together. Tommy followed him into the intro of their song. Jackson played the keyboard as he always did, and the band grooved in sync with their music. Alex bobbed his head.
He’d practiced his part enough on his own that he could play it in his sleep. It wouldn’t be much longer. Rehearsal went great with the vocals, but the music, not quite right. Jackson wouldn’t rest until they perfected it. Thankfully, the men agreed.
Alex pulled his lips in as he played from his happy place. He had no worries. No fears. It was him and the music. The perfect relationship.
“I think that’s it,” Jackson said.
“I agree.” Tommy looked at Alex. “What do you think?”
Alex nodded. “I agree. We can call it a day.”
Jackson turned off his keyboard.
“I have an idea,” Bailey said. “Why don’t we all go out to dinner?”
Hair lifted on the back of Alex’s neck. Nothing against his band mates and their women, but he didn’t want to be a fifth wheel. He could get a date and join them, but tonight, he’d rather be alone. He needed a break. Alex wouldn’t admit to them that the pressure was getting to him.
It was one thing to play the drums in his garage in his dad’s home as a boy, or even in the small gigs around the city. Things were changing—quickly. Though it took years of hard work, it appeared as if success happened overnight. Could Alex handle it? As long as he was playing, he felt fine. It was the other things that came with... fame.
“That’d be fun,” Noelle said. Tommy draped an arm around her shoulder after removing his guitar.
It was best Alex went home. Seeing his band mates with their women only made his chest tighten. Love worked out for some people, and both Jackson and Tommy had women who loved them.
“I’ll take a rain check.” Alex grabbed his jacket. “You guys have fun.”
