Page 58 of Another Fox Bites the Dust

Ursula waves a hand. “Oh, come on, look at that chemistry.”

“If they don’t end up hooking up, I will eat my favorite silk necktie. And it’s Gucci.”

I bite back the automatic and extremely vehementno waybegging to erupt out of my mouth.

This isn’t a bad thing. Laila has a huge following. If we hint at a romance, it will trigger more interest in both their albums. I know this, and yet the thought of spinning it to the press makes me physically ill.

Because of Blake. Of course it’s because of Blake and not because I’m majorly attracted to Luke myself.

I’m not romantically interested. I can’t be interested. At all. Ever.

Maybe if I keep thinking it, it will come true. Manifesting disinterest.

Ursula holds up her phone.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Getting some clips for her social media. Her fans will eat this up. We’ve been having to repost old videos because she’s been in such a slump. She has over a million followers. This will be good exposure for Luke, too,” she adds.

“That’s wonderful. Thank you. I can see why she has such a dedicated fan base. She seems really great.”

Not to mention talented and gorgeous.

“She is great. One of the best artists I’ve ever worked with.” She taps on her phone and then slides it into her back pocket. “I have a couple of clients seeking new representation in a couple of months when their contracts expire.” Her dark brows lift. “One of them is Duncan Santos.”

I barely restrain my mouth from dropping open. Duncan’s first album, which came out earlier this year, was a massive success. “He didn’t have an option to extend?”

“Nope. We negotiated a twelve-month term, one album, with C&C Records.”

Interesting. Most labels add options to extend, especially if the record does very well, as his did. No one wants to lose a cash cow. It was smart of him to negotiate a shorter term. It’s always good to have choices and not be stuck with a label that might be hard to work with.

“Can I give him your number?” Ursula asks.

“Of course.” Getting someone like Duncan, with an established fan base, massive talent, and credibility, someone who’s already proven their worth, would be a huge boon. I wouldn’t have to worry about producers flaking or ignoring me if I could sign someone like him. They would be coming to me.

Ursula flashes me a grin, but then her head dips before she lifts her eyes to mine. “Just one warning. He might ask you about,” she waves a hand, “some of your past history and how that might impact any work you would do for him.”

It’s like being kicked in the teeth. “Oh.”

Will I ever escape my past?

She winces. “He asked me about it already, when I told him we were coming here to work with you and Luke. If you speak with Duncan, I just wanted you to be ready. He will ask if working with you would prevent him from being able to pursue any collaborations with Rebel Records artists or venues they frequently work with, you know, that kind of thing.”

I swallow and nod. “It’s a valid question. Thank you for letting me know.”

Gritting my teeth, I turn away from her to observe the musicians in the living room.

Luke and Laila laugh together again, nearly falling over on each other this time.

My head starts to pound at the temples.

Fuckity fuck rocket.

* * *

“Do you want the porch light on?” Finley asks, haloed in the light emanating from the open doorway.

“No. I want to look at the stars.”

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