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‘He seems like a nice man...’
Chloe knows a but is coming so decides to get it over with. ‘But?’
‘We know about what happened to him earlier this year. We’re just worried about you getting involved in this lifestyle. It’s nothing against him. Clearly he cares about you to have gone to so much trouble, but we’re not entirely at ease with his situation.’
‘I understand what you’re saying, but he got himself help. He’s genuinely an amazing person. He’s kind and protective and—’
‘Hot.’
Chloe laughs. ‘Yes, thanks Steph. He is hot.’
‘I’m glad to hear that,’ her father says. ‘And I’m not talking about the ‘hot’ part. How do you feel about the whole celebrity thing?’
‘I’m still getting used to that part, but it’s not something he’s overly immersed in himself. He’s a private person so he tries to keep out of the limelight unless necessary.’
‘Well, he certainly has done all the right things tonight. I just love this building. It has so much character.’
‘Food’s good too,’ her dad says around a mouthful of cheesecake.
The wall at the side of the room is pushed back like a concertina and Chloe’s mouth drops open. Tate is on a low stage at the far end of the room with Gregg, Luke, and Dillon. He’s changed out of his suit into jeans and a navy shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Tate picks up his guitar and smirks at her.
‘Oh my God. They’re all here? Is Tate going to sing?’
Bria sits down on Tate’s seat and hugs Chloe. ‘Of course he is. He has another band lined up for later, but he mentioned you hadn’t seen him and the band perform properly. He thought you’d like it.’
‘Are you kidding me? I can’t believe this is happening. In a good way,’ she adds when Bria glances at her. ‘I’ve always wanted to hear him sing like this. I just didn’t want to ask.’
Bria waves her comment away. ‘Never be afraid to ask him to play. Sometimes getting him to shut up is the problem.’
The guests follow her into the far room as the band begins to play. Tate winks at her as he moves closer to the mic and sings.
26
Tate flops back inthe bed and wipes his hair off his forehead. After taking a few minutes to get himself together he looks over at Chloe. Her arm is draped over her face. ‘You okay?’ She waves her hand at him and he laughs. ‘I’ll take that as a sort of.’
‘Happy birthday to me.’ She rolls over and drapes her leg over his. ‘I think that might have worked off the cake.’
