Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 151384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“I think I just want everyone together where I can protect you.”
How had she not realized that he felt like this?
“Abe, if you need to talk to me, you can. About anything.”
“Thanks, honey. There’s really nothing to talk about. It’s just with Jenner’s career taking off this past year and all the attention that’s brought . . . I guess I’m just being careful.”
Right.
Sure.
After dinner, he escorted her back to her room. She took off her dress and boots and climbed into her favorite pair of pajamas.
They were gorgeous. A pale pink and white stripe with hummingbirds on them. She removed her makeup and got into bed.
And immediately created herself a nest. She’d done it for years, placing pillows all around herself so she was nestled in and surrounded.
Both Maeve and Cat had asked her if she was a Little. Immy knew she wasn’t . . . she couldn’t be. She just liked pink and squishy things.
She grabbed Snowy, her toy owl, and hugged him tight.
Lots of people who weren’t Littles had toys, didn’t they? And they might like nests if they tried them.
Snuggling down, she closed her eyes.
And had no idea that she sucked on her thumb as she fell asleep.
2
Jenner slipped into the last song of the evening—His Everything.
It was her favorite song and he knew it. He always sang it last and it always made her want to cry. She swayed to the music.
God, she was tired.
This was the last concert and tomorrow, they got to go home. Immy couldn’t wait for her own bed. Her own things.
And to get away from all of these people. It was draining.
Jenner was so talented and good looking. It was no wonder his popularity was growing. And since he’d hired a new publicist, he’d become even more famous and popular.
Immy should be happy for him. Even though Lauren, his publicist, could be . . . cold? A bit abrupt?
Immy guessed Lauren was just doing her job.
Jenner swung his gaze over to her as he sang. Sometimes, when she couldn’t get to sleep at night, he’d sing to her. Those were her favorite times, when it was just the two of them and no one else.
Why did he have to be a truly lovely, gorgeous, fun guy?
Who was utterly clueless. Sometimes she just felt like . . . like slapping him. Or putting hair removal cream in his shampoo.
But that would rob the world of that luscious hair.
Immy sighed. She knew she sounded like a twit.
Why couldn’t she let go of this obsession? Move on?
She remembered Abe’s words from last night. Maybe Jenner really didn’t see how she felt. Perhaps his time living in the cult had affected his ability to form a relationship.
Or perhaps he was just blind.
Even though she was frustrated as hell with Jenner and his inability to see her, Immy also knew that she had to shoulder some of the blame.
How could he see her, if she wasn’t willing to put herself out there and, well, tell him.
Like Cat said . . . even the most intelligent men could be seriously clueless until you whacked them around the head and made them pay attention.
Problem was, Immy was too scared to tell him.
Jenner hit the final notes of the song.
Then he thanked everyone for coming out.
As he stepped off the stage, his smile hit hers where she waited out the back.
“How did that sound, Twinkles?” he asked with a grin as his band members headed further backstage.
“You were amazing, as usual.”
“Thanks. You going back to the hotel now?”
“Yeah, I thought I would. Are you coming back now?”
“Jenner, we need you in the backstage room,” Lauren called out from a few feet away, looking impatient.
Well, she did until Jenner turned to look at her. She wiped that impatience off her face pretty quickly.
Yeah, Immy didn’t really like her. And Immy liked most people.
“Looks like I have to stick around.”
“Want me to wait for you?” Immy asked.
“No, Twinkles, you head back and rest. You look tired. Make sure you don’t go by yourself, though. Go with Abe, okay?”
“Sure thing.”
“Where is he?” Jenner glanced around.
“I’ll find him. Promise.”
“Good girl.” He slid his hand around the back of her head, then leaned in to kiss her forehead.
“Jenner, we really need to go,” Lauren called out.
“Coming.”
Jenner turned and walked toward Lauren. The other woman gave Immy a strange look.
Immy resisted sticking her tongue out at her. Because that would be rude.
But it wasn’t easy.
She watched Jenner walk away, talking to members of his crew.
With a sigh, she headed off to find Abe. Immy knew that a lot of people would get annoyed by how protective her friends were.
But Immy had grown up with these guys. They were protective because they were her family.
And, honestly, Immy liked being taken care of. They made her feel safe and cared for.