Page 72 of She's the Star

“I’m not saying I want easier,” I rush to add. “Or that I want you to be anything except what you are because you’re spectacular. What I want to say—or maybe what I need to say—is I want to be the man who stands next to you when you need me to, but who stands behind you the rest of the time.” I rub my forehead, uncertain if I’m explaining myself properly.

I try again. “I want to be your foundation.”

That doesn’t sound right either. She’s already built a fortress.

“I—” I don’t get a chance to finish my sentence because she slides her hands around my neck and presses her lips to mine. It’s a kiss full of comfort and reassurance. I don’t know how she offers those things with a simple kiss, but she does, and every single time, I’m struck by how insanely bolstering it is.

She eases away and she rests her forehead against mine. “I love you. You don’t have to explain yourself to Annabelle. Or to me. Or to anyone.”

My world tilts.

She loves me.

It’s too soon. It’s too much. Except—I feel the same.

Holy shit—I love Amber Hope.

I envelope her in a crushing hug.

“I love you,” I murmur against her ear because I don’t want anyone to overhear me.

This moment belongs to us.

Only us.

She clings to me as if nothing else matters, as if she agrees with me and that this, us together, is the only thing she requires. When I shift to kiss her again, I feel her smile against my lips. There is nothing that I want more than a private moment, and yet having her tell me she loves me and realizing I feel the same while in this crowded room doesn’t feel wrong. How does she manage to take things I’d normally hate and make them perfect?

Brian loudly clears his throat. “We’ve…uh…got to get back to the interview if we’re going to make it to the arena on time.”

“One more minute,” Amber says against my mouth. She gives me one more swift kiss and then pulls back so there are a few inches between us. “We can end this interview now. They can use the footage they already have. We don’t owe anyone an explanation. And we don’t owe them a private look into our lives. I don’t want you to feel pressured to talk about anything you don’t want to. We can be as private as you need us to be.”

I appreciate that she doesn’t want to make me uncomfortable, but the truth is, she can’t be as private as I want her to be. She’s too famous. If I want to be with her, I’ll have to adjust my expectations. And I’ll have to accept that sometimes, I won’t be able to be in the background.

“I’m ready to continue the interview.” I tip my chin up and straighten my shoulders. “I can handle it.”

Amber’s bright eyes search my face and I do my best to show my resolve. With her hand clutched in mine, I return to the sofa.

“Can you repeat the question?” I ask once we are settled.

“Absolutely.” Annabelle beams at me and asks, “How do you intend to navigate a relationship with the most famous pop star in the world?”

“I plan to remain backstage. Amber is the star, and I’ll keep helping to take care of her daughter and supporting her career for as long as she’ll have me.”

“You don’t have career aspirations of your own?” Annabelle asks curiously.

“Until I met Amber, I assumed I’d continue my work as an early childhood professional. I enjoy working with children and helping them discover who they are and what they love. Her current lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to that sort of work, so for the time being I’ll continue as I have been.”

“Does that mean you intend to maintain your role as Maddy’s nanny?”

Amber opens her mouth, but I don’t require her to step in, so I squeeze her hand lightly. “I will support both Amber and Maddy in any way that I can.”

Annabelle’s eyes sparkle as she looks directly into a camera. “You heard it here first—Amber Hope and Nolan Byrne are a perfect match.”

I assume that we’re done, but before I can make a move, she turns back to Amber. “What’s next?”

“We finish the tour here in the states and then, shortly after, we head overseas.”

“And…are their wedding bells in your future?” Annabelle asks digging deeper.

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