Page 63 of Legendary Rock Star
I jumped up to walk out with them as Phoenix said, “We’re on it.”
At the door he hugged me and Phoenix together and said, “I have to get going.”
“See you soon, Mark,” Phoenix said, and held the door for him.
For an agent, he seemed nice. I walked back to the studio with Phoenix and grabbed a still-warm roll and wished I wasn’t under a stupid contract to avoid carbs. Luckily, Phoenix brought over a fruit tray and another coffee as he said, “We’ll get you back to the studio in a few minutes.”
I bit into an apple and grabbed a banana slice from the plate. Once I’d finished, I relaxed back in my seat and said, “I’m glad I came here.”
Phoenix put his plate on the table as he said, “Mark’s honest. He tells me no, bad idea, all the time. Even if you don’t win, he’ll get you the stadium tours. He loves those because you both make more money.”
I saw that he had goosebumps. My own skin started to radiate heat as he said, “Trust me.”
My mind raced as I tried to process everything that had happened. My legs were pressed together as I said, “I do, but it’s a lot to deal with. I’m not sure how we’ll pull this off when my parents are still pressuring me to go back to Kansas City.”
He pivoted closer and his knees brushed against mine as he said, “You can stay here, with me. I’ve plenty of room.”
Move in. His Beverly Hills estate was the dreamiest place I could imagine and he had a studio I never wanted to leave.
My stomach twisted as I tried to imagine how I could explain this to my parents who had done so much for me.
They’d never banned boys, just wanted me to be open with them and to respect myself.
My heart beat faster and I wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, I said, “I’d like that …”
His eyes widened and he asked, “But?”
“I didn’t say that.” I lowered my lashes. I wasn’t sure what I’d do, yet.
I craved Phoenix’ touch, and we hadn’t even had sex.
This was a big deal.
He knelt in front of me and said, “Let me guess.”
I tilted my head and my forehead wrinkled as I asked, “Guess what?”
He nodded like he understood everything and said, “Your parents are old fashioned, and your dad’s a minister.”
I let out a breath. He was right. This was about my parents. I squeezed his hand and said, “He is. And he’d worry about me.”
A blush seemed to grow on Phoenix’s cheeks as his dimples appeared and he asked, “Would it help if I asked you to marry me?”
I swallowed but couldn’t move. My pulse began to race. I said, “Wait. What?”
He came closer and traced my naked finger as he said, “It can be in a year or so, to give you plenty of time to settle in, but I had this ring sent over this morning.”
And then he took out a box he’d had in his back pocket.
How had I missed a box like that?
He opened it and revealed a princess cut diamond. I trembled as I asked, “You what?”
He held it in front of me and said, “Okay, I had Mark bring it over.”
I’d been sleeping on the couch last night, while Phoenix had fallen asleep on the floor. I vaguely remembered waking for a moment and seeing that he had his phone in his hand. He’d been texting Mark about a ring when we’d been exhausted from hours of singing and writing.
I saw the light of the sun making the diamond sparkle as I asked, “How did I miss that exchange? He must have slipped it to you when you opened the door.”
