Page 9 of She's the Star

“You want me to take Maddy back?” I suddenly ask. It’s probably odd that he’s still holding her.

The edges of his mouth tilt upward, and the hint of a dimple appears on his cheek. “She seems comfortable, and I don’t mind keeping her, but obviously you can take her if you want.”

He starts to shift her toward me, but before he can extend his arms, I hold up a hand. I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle it if he gives her back to me and she starts crying again.

I might start crying, too.

Wouldn’t that be great? It’d be like a symphony of distress.

“You can keep her for a bit. She seems to like you.” I smile like it doesn’t bother me that he got her to stop crying without laughing hysterically. It isn’t like I want to highlight the fact that I’m a mess today.

Nolan interrupts my spiraling brain. “Do you have any teething rings or toys in that bag?”

I’d rather not admit that I don’t have anything kid-related with me, but I can’t conjure a toy, so I confess, “I don’t. I have quite a few hair products. And some makeup. But no toys.”

His eyes crinkle. “Guess we’ll stick with my knuckle.”

“Thank you,” I say again. Something about his relaxed manner gets me to admit, “I didn’t expect swimming lessons to be such a failure.”

He cocks his head to the side. “She usually likes the water?”

“She does. She goes in the pool all the time. But?—”

“This pool is too cold,” he finishes for me.

“Right? Why do they keep it so cold?”

“It has something to do with optimal temperature for exercise, I think.”

Brian’s red Tesla careens into the parking lot and screeches to a stop behind my Range Rover. The doors fly open and Brian, my assistant Mina, and two of my security guys tumble out.

Brian and Mina beeline toward us while one of the guards stops at the Range Rover, holds up a key, and then reaches out to smoothly open the door.

When Mina reaches us, she tuts like she can’t believe I’m stranded in a parking lot. “I told you not to go without your security. Can you imagine what your parents will say when they find out?”

I point at her and, as sternly as I can, say, “You will not tell my mother.”

She smirks at me. She’s totally going to tell my mother. I rub my forehead.

“Who are you?” Brian asks Nolan, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

“A good Samaritan, obviously.” I drop my hand and affect a breezy smile. “Mr. Byrne stopped to see if I was alright and allowed me to use his phone to call you.” I omit the fact that I had to call Slater first. I’m embarrassed enough as it is.

“Mr. Byrne,” Brian says, tapping on the tablet clutched in his hands. “Thank you for your assistance. I’m Amber’s manager, Brian Geary. I hope you realize her privacy is of the utmost importance?—”

“Brian,” I interrupt, unwilling to subject Nolan to Brian’s entire speech. “He already told me he won’t sell me out. He let me hold his phone the whole time, and he figured out why Maddy is so fussy.”

“I appreciate all of that,” Brian says, his gaze softening. “You know it would still be best if he signed an NDA.”

My shoulders droop. “I know.”

“I don’t mind. Truly.” Nolan chuckles. “It isn’t even the first one I’ve signed today.”

I don’t have time to parse out what he means, because he deposits Maddy into my arms, takes his phone back, and accepts the tablet Brian thrusts in his face. Thankfully, Maddy doesn’t start crying now that she’s back in my arms. I shove my knuckle in her mouth just in case.

“If you’d like a copy, I can email you one,” Brian says when Nolan’s done.

“I think I can survive without a copy.” He hands the device back to Brian. Then, he turns to me. “Ms. Hope. Maddy. It was a pleasure.”

---