Page 121 of Love on Tour
“You’ve helped raise my clout quite a bit. And thanks to you saving our company, I’m being treated well where I am. I got a promotion and a raise,” Christine said.
“I’ll double your salary.”
Christine froze. “You’ll what?”
“I’ll double it.”
“You can’t. You already overpaid for me to live here.”
“I can and I will. And it’s not pity pay. Starting a business is a twenty-four seven job. You’ll earn every penny.”
“You can’t afford that.”
“I’ll be able to soon. Residuals are coming in off my hit songs, I’m touring, and I’m selling loads of merch. Next year will be even better,” Austin said, his eyes glowing.
“Can we say loads of product? The word ‘merch’ still causes me to break out in hives.”
“Ugh. Sorry. But I can afford it,” Austin said.
“And if I say no?”
“I’ll have to hire someone else. But I don’t want to.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“I am. What do you say?” He gave her two thumbs-up.
“When do you need an answer?” Christine asked.
“No rush. I hired the writers and want them to focus for a few months on writing every day. I’m paying them a small salary for the first year, so they don’t have to worry about a draw. It’s not much, but it’s what I can afford, and they can at least pay theirbills. I know what it’s like. I was in their shoes before writing my first hit. Once we have the songs we feel are worth taking around, I’ll need you.”
“It’s intriguing.” She sat up straighter, her eyes wide as she considered the possibilities.
“You’re not going to turn me down, are you?”
“I don’t know, but I promise to consider it.”
“Okay. I know you have plans with Julianna, so I’m gonna run. We’ll be a powerhouse together. I don’t want to do this with anyone else.”
They stood and she walked him to the door.
“Did I mention I plan to give you a percentage of the company?”
“Austin.”
“I’m just saying, it’ll be well worth it to come work with me.”
“You’re hard to say no to.”
“That’s the plan. Although you’ve found it easy enough to say no in the past. Can I ask you a question?” He put his hand on her arm.
“You know you can.”
“Did I ever tempt you at all?”
Christine looked at his gorgeous face. He truly was a beautiful person, inside and out. “Of course you did. More than you’ll ever know.”
“Then why did you always turn me down?”
