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“This is amazing. Being here and you guys. Seriously, thank you.” Heather stepped back. “I did that. I just hugged Krystal King. I am so sorry. You’re like you. I’m seriously sorry.”
Krystal laughed.
“It’s just…I like, sort of idolize you, you know?” Heather paused. “Is that creepy? That is totally creepy, isn’t it?” She glanced back at her brother.
That’s when she realized Jace was staring at her. It was a new look. One she wasn’t sure what to make of.
“Am I messing things up?” Heather asked, covering her face with her hands.
“No, you’re not. He’s so happy you’re here, he’s speechless.” Travis stepped forward. “I’m Travis.”
“Oh, I know.” She was wide-eyed and blushing. “You’re way cuter in person—I didn’t think that was possible.”
“I like her,” Travis said to Jace.
“Liking is okay. Anything else is not allowed,” Krystal cut in, stepping between Heather and her brother with a narrow-eyed look of warning.
Travis was laughing.
“Heather, I am so glad to meet you.” Emmy Lou was all smiling charm and sweetness.
The inevitable glaze of awe descended on Jace’s little sister and Krystal risked another glance at Jace.
His light brown eyes met hers. Thank you, he mouthed, nodding at his sister. When he looked at Heather, it was with so much love. He seemed…calm. Relieved. Excited. It made sense, needing to have someone he knew by his side. Someone unconditionally on his side he could share this with.
And right then, Krystal knew the truth. None of this was for Heather. She’d done it all for Jace.
* * *
“How do you not freak out every single day?” Heather was shifting from foot to foot, barely containing her excitement. “That is Hank King,” she whispered. “I mean, Jace. We are talking about the Hank. King.”
Jace nodded. “That is Hank King. Right there. Believe me, I know. I’m not used to it. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to any of…this.”
“How could you? I’d never get anything done. I’d just stare. Like that guy. Who is that guy?”
“His name is Sawyer.” He nodded at the man. “He’s security. Mostly for Emmy and Krystal.”
“Then I guess he’s allowed to stare at people and stand in corners like that. Still, sorta freaky, though.” Heather let out a little squeal and took his hand in hers. “Emmy Lou is super nice. And oh so pretty. But Krystal…” She sighed, a dreamy sort of sigh he was familiar with. “She is it, you know? Just, everything.”
“Yeah.” He knew, all right.
“She did this. I mean, her assistant, Misumi, called me two days ago and, boom, here I am.” She shook her head. “She really likes you. Taking that picture of you and Clementine was just about the biggest stamp of approval she could give you.”
Which was news to Jace. Poor Clementine had been passed around like a hot potato, which led him to doubt his sister’s summation of the whole photo op.
But Heather wasn’t done. “I mean, you two sounded so, so good. Not good. It was…it was incredible.” Her smile grew. “Do you even know how amazing you two sound?”
He shrugged. Maybe. Yes. He wanted to think he did but…nothing about tonight felt real. Beginning with that photo shoot, ending with hearing Heather’s profuse thank-yous to Krystal.
“Come on, Jace.” She tugged at his hand. “This is your life now. How is this happening?”
“Which means it’s your life, too.” He squeezed her fingers. “How’s school?”
“Nope, nuh-uh, we are not talking about school.” She squealed again. “Is that…is that CiCi King? I have read a lot about her.” His sister’s tone was both awed and intimidated.
That was most definitely CiCi King. The change in the air was palpable—from euphoric to braced. It didn’t help that she was looking at Jace, and Heather, with a smile that had him checking for exits.
“She’s pretty,” Heather murmured. “In a mean-girl sort of way. Like, mess-with-me-and-I-will-cut-you thing? Wait, did I say that out loud?”
