Page 118 of Sing Your Secrets

She clasps her hands around my cheeks and then shakes her head, her hair falling in front of her face. She waits patiently for me to tuck it aside, enjoying the way I touch her. “I just needed a little shot of confidence. I’ve been thinking…”

“Okay. About?” I’m distracted as I try to find her lips again.

She inhales. “Us. I want to talk to you about us. I was going to wait until tonight, after your big performance, but since this guy is on the way…”

“Finish your thought,” I demand. Is this the breakup talk? Jesus…now? “Tell me.”

She sucks in a deep breath. “I don’t really want to move to L.A. but if you want me to, I will.” She blows out a breath quickly like she’s bracing to pull a Band-Aid off. I press my palm against her chest and feel it thumping out of control.

What?Of all the things I was expecting…. “You’d do that for me?”

“Yeah. I thought about it a lot, and I don’t know if moving with you will keep us together, but I’m almost certain letting you go will tear us apart. I’m putting us first.”

“You said you needed time. Why the sudden change of heart?”

“I’ve done this before and got burnt, Miles. And I was proud of being the kind of girl who puts no man first. I thought I was protecting my heart…but it’s a lonely way to live. So, I’ll move with you, and maybe one day I’ll regret it. Maybe you’ll break my heart. I don’t know what’s coming for us. But I know two things for sure.” She holds up two fingers.

“And what’s that?”

She extends her pointer finger. “I love you.” Another finger joins. “A shot at happiness is worth the risk.”

Tap, tap, tap. An impatient smacking at the door interrupts us. “You decent?”

“Sorry. One moment!” I shout at the door then lower my voice as I look into her light chocolate eyes. “Thank you. Baby, I fucking love you. I’m not going to break your heart.”

Her shoulders rise in a tiny shrug and then she climbs off my lap before I can say another word. Reese opens the door right as the knocking begins again. I try to recompose myself as a man in a Polo shirt and expensive-looking jeans stands at the door. He’s carrying a briefcase and my fate.

He looks right past Reese and holds his hand up to me. She releases a sharp breath and mumbles, “Nice to meet you too.”

I rise as the man makes a beeline to me with an outstretched palm.

“Miles,” he says with far more enthusiasm than necessary. “I’m Roger. We’ve been emailing. It’s really damn good to meet you, man.”

“Hey, Roger, nice to meet you too.”

He makes himself comfortable on the couch beside me as he unpacks his briefcase.

“I’m going to give you guys some privacy,” Reese says and holds her small hand out in a stoic wave goodbye. She throws one more look over her shoulder and winks. “Superstar,” she mouths at me. I wink right back before noticing Roger’s eyes on her ass as she exits. Strike one.

“Sweet girl,” he mumbles. “Your girlfriend?”

“Yes,” I say firmly.

“Is she coming with you to L.A.?”

I shrug, hardly believing my good fortune. I thought I had to choose, but in this moment, I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted. “Apparently.” Something in Roger’s expression looks off. “Is that a problem?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Not at all, we’ll just be on tight deadlines and want to make sure you’re focused as we get your album put together. Girlfriends can be”—he rolls his eyes—“distractions. Especially if they aren’t used to the…pace…late nights…” Strike two, man.

“Reese can handle herself.”

He forces a fake wide smile. “Good. Glad to hear it. All right, let’s get down to business so you can get ready for your show. Everything should be in order. From our prior conversation, I don’t think you had any concerns—”

“I had some questions,” I say as he wiggles a gold pen in the air.

“Oh.” Roger’s face twists in surprise. He’s reacting like I just told him I had a particularly gruesome criminal record versus simply having a few questions. He checks his watch in a theatrical display of annoyance. “I suppose I have time for a few.”

“Are you not staying for the show?” I ask, leaning back into the leather sofa and hearing it crunch underneath me.

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