Page 98 of Playing With My Heart Strings

He laughs, and I give him a quizzical look.

“It’s notmine. I don’t own it. We usually charter planes for touring, and the company we work with let me book last-minute for today,” he explains, visibly amused.

“What do you mean last-minute? I ask. “Where are the cameras?”

“This wasn’t in the original plan for today’s solo date, but it’s arguably the most important one. No cameras today. Just us.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why are you being so cryptic?”

“You ask a lot of questions, sweetheart. The original plan was to meet with the label.”

“Oh.” If we aren’t doing that anymore, it probably means I’m not making it to the end. I try my best to hide my disappointment, but my heart is sinking like it weighs a thousand pounds.

Dusty smiles in this knowing way, his lips twitching with amusement. “Trust me, this is going to be so much better than sitting in a conference room with Rob Acerra.”

“But you’re not going to tell me what it is?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. Can’t ruin the surprise.”

When the plane takes off, neither of us says a word. Then Dusty breaks the silence. “That song you played in Knoxville…”

I bite the inside of my cheek, waiting for him to continue.

“Charlie told me everything after the show. How you went to him. Did you mean what you said?”

“Every word,” I murmur. “I never meant to hurt you. I should have told you the truth from the beginning, but I was scared. Before I joined the show, my job with SSP was my only ticket to something bigger. I never thought I’d actually…” My voice trails off, even though what I wanted to say wasI never thought I’d fall in love.“I was selfish, and I’m sorry.”

“That means a lot. I care about you so much, Baylor. I don’t want to lose you.” He takes my hand and presses his lips to it.

“You won’t. I’m in this for real.”

“By the way, I knew I recognized you.” He raises his eyebrows. “You were filming me that first day. During the interviews.”

I snort. “Daniella wanted to strangle you. For some reason, she let me off the hook and told me to do social media.”

“Believe me, I know. I thought you were a fan. Then I was convinced I’d made you up in my head.” He tilts his chin down, shaking his head with a stupid grin on his face. “I’m glad she took on the interviews, though.”

A laugh falls from my lips as I think about the fact that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Daniella. “Me too.”

About an hour and a half later, we touch down at our destination.

The middle of nowhere.

I shield my eyes from the sun and frown as I step out of the plane. There’s nothing within a three-mile radius except farmland.

“Where are we going?” I ask again, swiveling my head to take in our surroundings.

He shakes his head, pressing his lips together as if suppressing a laugh. “I told you, I can’t say because it would ruin the surprise. We’re not there yet.”

“You’re going to murder me, aren’t you? You’re going to murder me and then dump me in an irrigation ditch,” I grumble as I follow him to a car.

“Yes, Baylor. I’m going to murder you then go back to Nashville alone. Not suspicious at all.” He opens my car door forme, and even though I roll my eyes, I duck my head under the roof rail and slide onto the leather seats.

“Can you at least give me a hint as to where we’re going?” I press, hoping he’ll give me something.

“Such a stubborn woman.” He playfully nudges me with his elbow before dropping his hand on my thigh and giving it a light squeeze. “I promise I’m not going to murder you, or kidnap you, or do anything illegal. And we’re not that far away. Pinky swear.” He closes his other hand into a fist and extends his pinky.

“I’m sorry, I guess I’m just not spontaneous.” I pull on my jacket. “And I wasn’t sure if you were upset with me after what happened in Atlanta.” I whisper the last part.

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