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“What?” Billie asks him, but he’s quick to distract her with compliments. “This looks fantastic, princess.” Luca smiles at her like the sun literally rises and sets from her ass, and she forgets all about his comment.
There’s no doubt about it, being happy and in love looks good on my brother.
I reach out and squeeze Harrison’s hand, and he flashes a soft smile my way.
With Ellie sleeping in her car seat at Harrison’s and my feet, we all dive into the food. Since I’m still breastfeeding and feel like I’m starving all the freaking time, I don’t hesitate to load up on all the goodness. Momma ain’t got time to be worried about her weight and all that.
The food doesn’t disappoint, and truthfully, I’m so invested in the meal that I hardly hear the sounds of someone walking down the hallway and into the dining room. Apparently, none of us does until she’s right in front of us, wide-eyed and apologetic.
“Oh shit, I didn’t know you had company,” Birdie Harris, one of my favorite country music singers and Billie’s older sister, says.
She’s just as pretty as she looks in magazines and on album covers and in interviews on TV, and unlike my Hollywood persona, it looks like every bit of it is natural.
“It’s fine, Birdie,” Billie says and waves her off. “Sit your butt down and grab a plate. I made more than enough.”
“No, no, no—”
“Birdie, sit down and eat,” Luca says with a smile, jumping up to grab another chair for her. “You know your sister always makes enough to feed an army.”
Billie flips my brother the middle finger, and I grin.
Yeah, I definitely like her. She’s the exact right kind of woman to keep Luca in line.
Billie takes it upon herself to stand up from her seat, grab a plate, hand it to her sister, and force Birdie to sit down. When Birdie’s ass is finally planted, Billie takes the time to introduce her—an introduction I in no way need. “Everyone, this is my sister, Birdie. Birdie, this is Luca’s sister, Raquel, and her main squeeze, Harrison, and their sweet little baby, Ellie, is down there sleeping in her car seat.”
“Birdie, can I just say that I am a huge fan,” I squeak, no chill or patience in my game. Her eyes go wide.
“Are you being serious right now?”
I look around the room. “Uh…yes?”
“The Raquel Weaver is a fan of my music?” she questions back on a laugh. “Okay, yeah, thank you for basically making my whole life. And if you ever want to go to a show, you let me know.”
“Oh man.” Harrison chuckles. “There is no doubt she’s going to take you up on that. This woman right here has been listening to your newest album on repeat. And I mean that literally. It never stops.”
“Wow. Way to play it cool.” I slap him on the chest, and he just laughs.
“Honey, I think the cat was already out of the bag. You didn’t even wait a full second to fangirl on her.”
“You know,” Luca chimes in, “Birdie is in LA because she’s auditioning for a movie. Maybe you two should talk. I know you’re out of the business now, but she could use some advice from someone who’s been there. A woman who’s been there.”
“Of course!” I respond and look over at Birdie. “What movie?”
“Grass Roots.”
“Oh yeah. I know that movie.” My eyes meet Luca’s again. “Your old pals Andrew and Howie are working on that one, right?”
He nods. “Yep.”
I may not be in the Hollywood scene anymore—thank everything—but before I left for good, I heard a whole lot of buzz about Grass Roots. And I know that Howie King is directing it and Andrew Watson—aka Mr. Infamous Playboy and Heartthrob—is already cast as the lead.
Back in the day, Luca used to be real good friends with both of them.
“Are you still close with those guys, Luca? Andrew and Howie?”
“I guess you could say we’re getting back to being close.” He shrugs and pops a bite of chicken into his mouth.
“Nothing like taking a sabbatical for eight freaking years and then coming back and having to repair relationships, huh?” I wink and he laughs.
“Something like that.”
“Have you told her about Andrew, then?”
Luca chokes on his potatoes, and I take that as an unequivocal no.
“What?” Birdie says. “What about Andrew?”
“In terms of being wild and untamable, Andrew Watson gave my brother a run for his money. I’ve never worked with him before, but I’ve heard enough stories to know that he is trouble with a capital T.” Birdie’s eyes widen slightly, and I nod. “My advice?”
She nods.
“Be careful with him and keep it as professional as possible.”
“Rocky,” Luca chides. “Don’t scare her about Andrew. He’s not that bad. You’re getting him wrong.”
I don’t know why, but right now…well, it feels like the very best time to drop one last bomb on my big brother.
