Page 61 of Edge of Heaven

“If you need my Rock Vibe money, it’s yours,” I say and continue before she can protest. “I know you want to say no, but if you need it, you can have it. There is literally nothing I need. I get a per diem from the band, and they feed us on show nights, so I’m good. I’m frugal right now too, so let’s look at our finances together and see what we can do to get you away from Callum.”

“Oh, Mick.”

“I like when you call me Michael,” I say softly.

“Only when we’re alone,” she whispers. “That’ll be part of our love language.”

“Yes. Yes, it will.” I desperately want to tell her I love her, but the time isn’t right, and I don’t want to say it for the first time on the phone.

“Kick ass for Alexa,” I say instead. “And I’ll see you in a few days.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” she promises.

“Give Toby a high-five from me,” I say.

“Good night, Michael.”

“Good night, beautiful.” I hang up and pick up my guitar again.

I’m going to finish this song and play it for the band tomorrow.

And whenever she finally leaves Callum, I’m going to talk the guys into playing it live for her.

A public proclamation of my feelings.

That’smylove language.

Chapter20

Taryn

I’mnervous as I walk into the event venue for rehearsal. Alexa Humboldt is a big deal—and while I’ve had some success as a model, this is next level for me. I was so excited I barely slept last night, and I’m just grateful Callum’s handprint bruise has finally faded.

“Taryn!” Stevie’s familiar voice calls to me and I hurry over to greet her.

She gives me a quick hug before introducing me to Cheyenne—literally the biggest supermodel in the entire world. I’m rarely starstruck, but it’s hard not to be with Cheyenne. She’s tall and blond and absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous. The kind of woman the rest of us want to be.

And yet, she has a warm smile as she greets me. “Hi! Stevie told us so much about you. Alexa is really grateful you could step in at the last minute.”

“I’m so honored to be here,” I say warmly. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“We’ll see how thankful you are in about four hours, when she’s made you change two hundred times because one stitch in one blouse is slightly off-center.”

“Don’t sass me, woman.” Alexa Humboldt appears out of nowhere, a tiny wisp of a woman with glasses almost as big as her head. “Hi! You must be Taryn! Thanks for coming. And don’t listen to Chey. She thinks because she’s famous she doesn’t have to work.”

“And she thinks because she’s AlexaHumboldt—” her voice gets high and whiny when she says Alexa’s name, “—she can work us to death. For free, no less.”

“You don’t have to be here, Cheyenne Marie.”

Cheyenne sticks her tongue out at her and Alexa does it back.

I stare at them in confusion for a moment, but Stevie nudges me. “Don’t mind them—they’re like toddlers together. You’ll get used to it.”

“I made her career!” Alexa says.

“I made her career!” Cheyenne says at the same time.

“Yo mama,” Alexa tells her and then turns to me. “Okay, since we haven’t worked together before, let’s get you in with the stylist first. I need to see how my designs fit you. Also—I think there was a misunderstanding with your agent about payment for the show—walk with me.”

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