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Gemma’s face flushed at what she knew was not a slight aimed at her father. Nigel probably had scandalous stories about him too. She did not want to get into the details of their relationship and ruin the high she was riding.
“I assume he’s well. I don’t see him that much.”
He gave her a knowing nod like she didn’t need to explain any more. Gemma knew he had two ex-wives and three kids with any number of grandkids by now; perhaps he had his own share of strained relationships.
“Tough break, love. But you’ve got a knack for this. The industry is in your blood.”
She forgave him for bestowing his blessing on Azalea in that moment. She beamed brighter than the sun.
“Thank you.”
“You’ll be in the audience then tonight?”
Her sunbeam snapped out.
“Oh, actually no. I couldn’t get tickets, and it’s my best friend’s birthday party tonight.”
It was part lie. Shecouldhave gotten tickets, of course, even though the show sold out in twenty minutes. All she would have had to do was ask her father. But.
“Well, that’s an easy fix. And I can do even better. Bridge!” he yelled at the glass wall.
“Oh, she can’t hear—”
“Get this lot backstage passes for tonight! However many they need!”
Gemma flinched at his voice booming off the soundproof glass. She saw Bridget nod like she understood and reach for her phone.
Nigel turned to Gemma with a smile. “Fixed. Bring your friend for her birthday.”
She was back to beaming like the sun. “Wow. Thank you!”
“Of course, love. Thanks for the chat. I have to run.” He reached for her and kissed her cheek.
She almost fainted on the spot.
“Bye, Nigel Black,” she said as if she were in a dream and not actually watching her idol walk away.
He replaced his sunglasses and marched out the door. Carmen and Hugo stood to shake his hand, and Jack slipped inside the booth.
He came at her with a huge grin. “You were amazing.”
Gemma mimicked a curtsy. “Thank you!” She was still riding the high of having been kissed on the cheek by Nigel Black. She reached out and pressed her palm to Jack’s chest. “And thank you for the pep talk. Seriously.”
He put his hand over hers. “Of course. But do you want to know a secret?”
The feel of her hand sandwiched between his heartbeat and the warmth of his palm made her dizzy. His eyes were suddenly dazzling.
“What?”
He squeezed her hand and smiled. “That was the first time you’ve ever done that.”
Gemma stopped swooning as she followed what he had said. “Wait, what? I’ve never done the interview before?”
He shook his head. “You always cancel it instead. This is the first time you’ve gone through with it.”
She blinked at him. “So, you lied to me?”
“Yes. Sorry, but I knew you could do it, so I wanted to give you a little—”
