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When I first started working at Empire, I would fangirl over many of the artists when they came into the office. After encountering a few who failed to saythank youor totally ignored my presence, any awe faded fast.
Fame exposes who you are. It doesn’t change it.
To his credit, Kyle never acted like anyone in the office was beneath him. It’s partially why his meetings were practically considered a national holiday among the female staff.
The rest has to do with the smile he’s aiming at the blonde, nodding to whatever she’s saying.
I was so certain the charm was an act, that he secretly strutted around. But that assumption has been slowly chipped away ever since I arrived in Oak Grove.
At this point, I’m essentially living with the guy. If he wore a mask, it would have slipped by now. The only time he seems to act anything but jovial and easygoing is…around me.
It’s irritating. So is the realization that it bothers me.
Giving a shit about Kyle—how his career turns out, why he walked away, what fame has revealed about him—was not part of the plan.
It’s complicating what was already a mess.
The bartender returns with my ice water. I thank him and take a long sip, savoring the trickle of cool water down my throat.
The back of my neck is sticky with sweat, my curls undoubtedly puffed up into a humid halo. Inefficient air-conditioning seems to be a common theme in this town.
“Here you are!” Ella bounces into the spot next to me.
“We thought we’d scared you off,” Julia adds, sliding in beside her.
I smile. “No. Not at all. I’m just tired. Long day.”
“You have to work weekends?” Ella asks.
“No. I was out haying.”
Julia laughs. “What? Why?”
I shrug. “I was curious. Wanted to see if I could talk Kyle into letting me help.”
Ella’s nose scrunches. “Why wouldn’t he let you help?”
“He can be, you know…” I search for the right word, considering these are his friends. “Difficult.”
“Kyle? Difficult?” Ella’s smile widens into a grin. “You being serious?”
I hesitate, then nod.
“Huh. Maybe he’s different with the music stuff.”
It’s obvious she’s placating me, so I drop the topic. He’s different with themestuff, not themusic stuff, but that’s embarrassing to admit.
Ella and Julia talk me into chasing the water with tequila shots, which I realize is a mistake, even before the smoky alcohol hits my tongue.
By the time I return to the table with them, I’m sweaty and more than a little tipsy. And seriously contemplating kicking off my wedges and walking around barefoot despite the fact that the wooden floor looks like it was last washed before I was born.
Kyle looks sober, superior, and unimpressed as I slump down in the seat beside him, and I hate that I might care a little bit about what he thinks.
He was the one who invited me. And he’s also the reason I had lots of nervous energy to burn off. My trip to Texas so far hasn’t exactly been a relaxing vacation.
Natasha is still sitting next to him, sipping delicately at a glass of water.
“Turns out this town is more fun than I thought,” I say, picking up a napkin from the table and using it as a makeshift fan. It accomplishes absolutely nothing.
