Page 43 of She's the Star

I groan. “I hope we worked it out. That doesn’t mean I’m not nervous. I’m not an actor. And neither is Nolan.”

“I never thought I’d see the day.” She claps with delight. “Fuck. This is awesome.”

“Mina.” I cover Maddy’s ears. “Language.”

“Ack, sorry. It’s a little while before she learns to talk, right?”

“Not as long as you might think.”

“And we want her first word to be something innocuous like Mommy?”

“It doesn’t have to be Mommy, but I’d rather it not be offensive.”

“That’s fair.” She purses her lips and runs her fingers through Maddy’s curls. “Sorry, baby girl.”

“It’s fine,” I reply.

Mina closes her eyes and reaches her hands to the sky. She makes a humming noise that I assume is meant to show that she’s thinking. Suddenly, her eyes fly open again. She taps her lip with her finger, and then she rises and flings her arms dramatically wide. “I have it. I know what you should wear.”

I lean forward, more than a little eager for her wisdom after that spectacle.

“This,” she says tugging on the hem of a sleeveless top that is electric blue and tight. “Or this.” She touches the sleeve of a plain white cropped shirt I’ve never worn. “Or this.” She moves to a hot pink top that has a wide neck and is loose.

They’re all completely different. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this.”

“I didn’t know you when you first met Teddy, but I witnessed the end.”

“Okay.” She was hired a week before our joint tour started. “And?” I really thought she’d be more helpful. I rise to my feet with Maddy still in my arms.

“You were always in pop star mode when you were dating Teddy. Once Maddy was born, you went full casual with yoga pants and no makeup anytime he came around.” She taps her chin. “But now you’re dilly dallying like you don’t know what image you want to project. It’s curious, don’t you think?”

“Mina. I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.” I just wanted her to pick a damn shirt.

“Yes, you do.” She reaches out and bops me on the nose. “You want Teddy to stop wanting you, and you want Nolan to start wanting you. That’s a lot to expect from a shirt.”

I sputter, “That’s your advice? How is that helpful?” No wonder I don’t usually ask for her opinion. She’s much better at giving advice when it’s unsolicited.

She shrugs. “I notice you didn’t dispute my conclusion.”

“I…Nolan is doing me a favor.”

“In all the years I’ve known you, do you know how many times I’ve seen you indecisive about your clothes?” She doesn’t wait for my response. “Zero. And during that same time, do you know how many times you’ve refused to feign an interest in a man?” Once again, she doesn’t wait. “Dozens.”

I blink steadily but try not to react otherwise.

“Are you trying to deter Teddy? Or are you interested in Nolan?”

“Uhhh.” It should be an easy answer, but even though I’ve firmly placed Nolan in the friend zone, Mina has made her point. My behavior is uncharacteristic and suggests that I’m not nearly as in control of the situation as I’d like to be.

Big surprise.

She presses her lips together and nods. “That’s what I thought. Wear the white shirt. It’s casual enough, but it also makes your abs look divine.”

“You’re the most confusing assistant in the entire world.”

She gives me a look. “You’re welcome. Now let me take Maddy into the bedroom for a few minutes while you stop overthinking and get fu…dressed.”

SIXTEEN

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