Page 30 of She's the Star

NOLAN

Is there anything more awkward than overhearing a private conversation between two of the biggest pop stars of the last decade?

I came outside after I got Maddy settled to check in with Amber but before I can announce my presence, I overhear Teddy say, “I know I hurt you before, but if you give us another chance, I think we could make it work. We could be a real family.”

They haven’t spotted me, so I start to back away only to halt when Amber says, “I’m seeing someone.”

I should keep moving, but curiosity and surprise keep my feet firmly planted. What is she talking about? Did she rethink the Eden Carmichael setup?

“You are?” Teddy sounds as gobsmacked as I feel. “Who?”

“I wasn’t going to tell you, but I’m seeing…Nolan.”

My jaw practically hits the ground. Say what?

“You’re sleeping with Maddy’s nanny?”

“Family assistant,” she corrects. “And yes.”

He makes an inarticulate sound that perfectly reflects my reaction. My heart rate increases until it feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. Should I be flattered or furious? Flattered, right?

A bubble of hysterical laughter threatens to erupt from my throat, but I swallow it.

“I don’t know what to say.” Teddy drags his hand through his hair. “I didn’t realize you were…he seems good with Maddy, but…he isn’t your usual type. He’s so…have you thought this through?”

My brows pull toward each other. He believes her. How can that be?

“You’re hardly one to judge,” she says calmly.

“Shit. I know. No judgment. I’m just surprised.” He pauses. “I thought we’d get back together after Maddy was born. And then we didn’t, but things have been good between us, and I thought maybe this was my…penance or something. You know…like I had to be patient and let you forgive me before we could be together.”

“I’ve already forgiven you, but we aren’t getting back together,” she says quietly.

He huffs. “You keep saying that, but I still can’t help thinking it’s going to happen eventually.”

“Teddy.” She reaches across the empty space between the loungers. “We?—”

“—have a daughter. We’re family.”

“I know. We are. Me dating someone else doesn’t change that. It’s just, I’m happy with Nolan. You need to accept that you and I aren’t getting back together,” she says firmly.

I know she’s lying, and I still believe that she’s happily dating me.

“You hardly ever date. I thought—” His voice drops to a whisper. “Is it serious with him?”

“Yes.”

“Is he…good to you?”

“Yes.”

Why isn’t she elaborating? I want her to give details about what a great boyfriend I am even though we aren’t dating. I shake my head at my irrationality.

“Good. That’s good. You deserve that. I…uh…want you to be happy.”

Silence falls between them as he turns so I can see the side of his face. He rubs his eyes and takes an audible breath. On the exhalation, he surges to his feet. He reaches down, hauls her up into his arms, and buries his face in her hair. Without hesitating, she tightens her arms and hugs him back.

I’m oddly transfixed by their embrace—to the point it doesn’t occur to me that she has shifted and is staring directly at me. I can tell by her guilty wince that she can see me lurking near the house.

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