Page 38 of Until the End

She makes a thoughtful noise. “I can work with that. What are the terms of your current contract?”

I cringe. “It’s been a while since I looked at it. I made sure to negotiate a long period for the next album, but I can’t remember what the touring terms were.”

“I might ruin your previous agent.” Mariana’s vehemence surprises me.

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I don’t want another rising star to fall into her trap. It’s a wonder she didn’t screw you over completely.”

“I made sure to read my contracts before I signed them. I had Cecelia renegotiate several of the terms.”

Mariana grunts, her disappointment clear. “I commend you for your foresight. Do you have any questions for me?”

I pull up the list I wrote earlier. “What’s your communication style? How do you prefer to talk with your clients?”

“In person, mainly. Video calls are the next best option. I don’t love communicating through emails because tone and meaning can get lost through text.”

“I agree with you wholeheartedly.” I run through the rest of my questions with Mariana. Her answers are straightforward and exactly what I’d hoped she’d say. It’s all a little toogood to be true, but her no-nonsense responses don’t make me question her authenticity.

After talking with her for almost an hour, I’m way more comfortable imagining her as my manager than I was before the call began. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt in control of my future. With Mariana by my side, I wouldn’t have to worry or stress.

“Okay, for next steps, I’m going to send you an email with my terms as well as a contract to read over. It’s a standard contract without the annoying legalese to trip you up. However, you should still send it to a lawyer if you feel like you don’t understand any of the points. I want to work with you, Ginny. I think we can do some amazing things for your career together. If you disagree, there won’t be any hard feelings. A manager is an important decision, and after your last experience, I’d understand if you’re not ready for a new one.”

“I’ve admired you for a while now, so I’m floored you want to work with me. I’ll look over everything and send you my decision within the week.”

Mariana nods. “I look forward to it.”

The call ends before I can reply. I drop back into my chair, my tense muscles giving out now that I can relax.

Mariana Beckett wants to work with me. It’s hard to fathom. I want to work with her, but I’m still trying to trust my instincts again.

This life isn’t what I thought it would be. I love writing music, and there’s no other feeling in the world like performing my songs while a huge crowd sings along with me. It’s everything else that comes with fame. Being in the limelight and having my life picked apart constantly is draining.

If Mariana can help me navigate that part, maybe I can make this career everything I want it to be.

Chapter 23

Carson

“This is no big deal. Just a regular first date like you’ve been on a million times before,” I murmur to myself. “Except it’s with Ginny. And if you fuck it up, you’ll ruin your entire friendship and likely take a wrecking ball to your friend group.”

Awesome. That was helpful.

I blow out a breath to release the tension in my shoulders before getting out of my car. I can’t believe I’m going on a date with Ginny. I’ve dreamed about this day for years, but I never thought it would actually come to fruition. Yet here I am, walking up her front steps with flowers in hand. Ryan made her a beautiful bouquet of multicolored lilies—her favorite flower.

I pause at her front door, debating whether to let myself in or ring the doorbell. If it were anyone else, I’d never barge into the house uninvited…but this Ginny. I’ve always just walked right in, and I have a feeling she wouldn’t want me to treat her any differently than I normally would. I glance at the flowers. Well, with a few exceptions.

Decision made, I key in her code and open the door. “Knock, knock!”

Ginny’s muffled voice comes from upstairs. “I’ll be down in just a minute.”

I stand by her front door and do my best to curb the urge to pace. I shouldn’t be this nervous to go on a date with the one person I trust the most. She’s my best friend. She’s been there through my best and worst times. I’ve had my most embarrassing experiences with her by my side. Our whole lives have led us to this moment. We’ve shared everything, and now we’re simply taking the next step in our relationship.

I whip my head up as her heels clack down the stairs. “Goddamn,” I whisper. The sundress Ginny’s wearing would be indecent if it wasn’t so fucking adorable. The light blue material has tiny white flowers printed across it, but that’s where the innocent appeal stops. The top of the dress is tight across her chest, pushing her boobs up to give her a mouthwatering cleavage line, while the bottom flares out around her hips, making them look round and grabbable.

I have never lusted after a woman the way I’m drooling over Ginny. I don’t know where to focus my eyes—her long legs in the strappy white heels, the curve of her waist, or the bounce of her tits as she walks downstairs. Jesus, this is going to be a lot harder than I ever imagined.

“You look…beautiful. Sexy. Fucking drop-dead gorgeous. Take your pick of adjectives, and it applies.”

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