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She stops suddenly, her jacket hanging between her fingers.
“You really think so?”
I actually have no idea. I listen to rock music and wouldn’t be able to tell Taylor Swift from Martha damn Stewart. But I’ve heard a lot of people say this about Aurelia Bird, so I figured it was a widely-held belief.
“Well, yeah, sure,” I say, kicking myself because I know I sound unconvincing.
She tries to stop another smile forming but fails. “It’s ok, Isaac. I know my music isn’t your thing. I kind of like that it isn’t.”
I don’t hide my sigh of relief. “Really?”
“Yeah,” she says, pulling her jacket on. “That way I know you’re interested in me as a person, not me as a popstar.”
I stiffen without thinking and she becomes flustered.
“I don’t meaninterestedinterested, I mean, like, you know, the way you see me. As a person, not a popstar—”
“I know, I get it,” I say, feeling flustered too. I force myself to regain some composure. “Let me know when you’re done here and I’ll take you to the villa. I’ll ask Tawny to pull together anything you need for the night and we can have the rest of your things brought here in the morning.”
She nods and right at that moment, there’s a knock at the door. “That’ll be my meet and greets,” she says.
Carla, the PR woman, opens the door a crack and peers inside. When she sees me, she pushes it open wider. “Are you ready, Aurelia? The fans are waiting in the Dolphin suite down the corridor. They’re giddy to meet you.”
As much as I dislike the PR woman, the excitement on her face lights her up. It’s clear she very much enjoys this part of her job. But then, who wouldn’t enjoy giving a bunch of young kids a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet their idol?
“I’ll come back in one hour,” I say, following Aurelia through the door. “Luca will accompany you to the suite.” Luca is already standing out in the corridor, prepared to provide any back-up if needed. He arches an eyebrow seeing me emerge from Aurelia’s dressing room, which I ignore. Then I turn on my heel and go to make arrangements for Aurelia to stay on the Key. I know, without having to voice it myself, I will have to move in there with her. It’s the only way I can provide round-the-clock security. The villa I have in mind, the Morrison, has four separate suites, so we’ll both have plenty of privacy, and this won’t be the first time I’ve provided live-in security for a guest. But it will be the first time since Paris, and that is one conversation I’m not looking forward to having, especially since the Morrison villa is right next door to the Hemingway. I sigh, preparing myself for the inevitable explosion, and pull out my phone.
