Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
“That was mostly my fault,” my father says in a gruff tone. “My ego took a hit, and I decided if you didn’t want us managing your career, then you could handle things on your own.”
“It was petty and juvenile,” my mother says, eyes still watering.
I no longer care about what they did or why. I am just grateful they had an epiphany. I really miss having my parents in my life in any meaningful way. “I’m just happy you’re here now.”
My mother pulls me into a hug, and my father follows. My parents’ loving, strong arms reassuring me I have them in my corner.
“Now what’s this about a bodyguard?” my father asks. “I wish I’d known about it. You could have told us.” He attempts to scold me, but I’m not going to let him.
“No, I couldn’t have.” I purse my lips, waving a chiding finger at him. “And you know now.” Time for a change of subject, I think. “Want to stay for lunch?”
“We’d love to, but we have show tickets for later today. How about tomorrow? We’re here for a few days, and we hope you’ll make time for us.”
“You know I will.” I am fine with them not being able to stay. I got all I could have wanted from them today anyway. “I’ll walk you out.”
Ben is out of the kitchen in an instant, taking the lead and opening the door. “Nice to meet you,” he says, holding the door open as my father leaves first.
“Take care of my little girl,” Dad says in a protective tone.
Ben inclines his head. “Count on it.”
“He’s hot,” my mom leans down and whispers in my ear.
I can’t help but laugh. And for the first time in a long time, everything feels right.
Chapter Eleven
Ben
I read over the plan for the media junket for Jade Glow’s album and upcoming tour, located at an upscale hotel in Midtown Manhattan. For Summer, the event, scheduled to last one day, will include portrait sessions, TV and radio interviews, and roundtable conversations with Summer, Tawny, and of course, the star herself.
This go-round, I plan to meet up with security and make sure I am satisfied with the situation, the cameras, and the coverage. Although I will keep Summer in sight, I’ll be damned happy when she isn’t prancing around in front of media and strangers, at least until whoever is after her has finally been found.
From a rational protection perspective, I’ll also be glad when the decision is finally made about who will be the person accompanying Jade Glow on her world tour. But I’m not feeling particularly rational, because a part of me doesn’t want this situation to come to an end. Despite all my internal warnings to myself, I am invested in Summer on every level, and losing her isn’t something I’ll ever be ready to think about.
Jade hasn’t decided definitely when she will be announcing her choice, but she’s been teasing the possibility that it will happen tonight, at the end of the junket. The star is using the mystery angle on social media for the last few days as well as teasing reporters all day, reminding them to stay until the end, lest they miss her possible announcement. Even I have bought into the hype, my stomach in complete knots, thinking my time with Summer is almost over. For her part, Summer is jumpy and nervous, to the point where I don’t know what to say to calm her, her sole focus on the upcoming decision.
During the first hour of chats, she was stiff with the interviewers, which isn’t like her. She is normally bubbly, happy, and relaxed, but Jade’s teasing and the unknown time frame have her nerves shot. The one thing I know for sure is that I want her to live her dream, and to do that, she needs to relax and have a smile on her face and an easy answer on her sexy lips.
We have a good chunk of time before her next set of interviews, and the good news is that she has a hotel suite to escape to between sessions. And I know just how to calm her frazzled nerves.
* * *
Summer
I’ve just finished up an interview that didn’t go as well as I would have liked. Tawny is upbeat, interrupting so she has center stage, and throwing me off my game. Frustrated afterwards, I walk off, heading for the coffee stand in the far corner of the event floor.
Before I reach my destination, Ben, who is never out of my sight, stops me. “Come on,” he says, grasping my elbow. “I’m taking you upstairs to chill out.”
“But I need caffeine.”
He shakes his head in definite disagreement. “Caffeine is the last thing you should be putting in your body. Trust me, princess, I have the solution.”