Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“I want to do this on my own.”
“You sound like Lyric when I mention getting him a record deal.”
“Lyric’s an artist?”
“Yup. And he refuses to let me help.”
“Now I like him even more. I remember how hard it was for you and the other Eleven guys to know who was genuine or not. I don’t know Lyric at all, but my gut—and Kaylee—tell me he’s great.”
Yeah, so do I.
I don’t have to question his motives when it comes to me. He’s the most genuine person I’ve ever met. And while I fear Hollywood will want to chew him up and spit him out, I also know he has the self-respect and the dignity not to let it happen.
The sound of the front door opening echoes in the house, and I find myself straightening while fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.
“Oh my God, you’re adorable,” Maggie says.
“Shut up,” I mutter.
Lyric saunters in but stops short when both of us look at him. “What did I miss?”
“Maggie’s going to be sticking around for a while,” I say, my smile tight.
I’m on board with her staying, but there are so many things I need to consider. What if the only job she can get is somewhere else? Like Texas. What if she wants to take Kaylee? What if, what if, what if—
“As you can see, he’s freaking out about it.” Maggie’s her usual bubbly self, and I don’t deserve it. I’m being an asshole.
“I’m not freaking out,” I say.
Maggie leans in closer to Lyric. “He’s freaking out. I want to spend more time with Kaylee, so he’s doing his overprotective-dad routine.”
“Ah. Makes sense.” Lyric turns to me. “Kaylee will be fine.”
“I hate you both,” I grumble, and they laugh at me. “So funny,” I grumble some more.
Maggie touches my upper arm. “You know we’re only teasing. You have every right to feel the way you do, and I understand it. I want to reassure you you’re still in charge here. I’ll go at your pace.”
“Sounds familiar,” Lyric murmurs.
When my gaze snaps to his, he throws me an innocent “what?” expression.
“On that note, I’ll leave you two to it and go check on Kaylee.” Maggie walks away, and Lyric watches her leave.
Once she’s out of sight, he turns his smile on me.
“Hey.” He leans in and kisses my cheek.
“Hi.”
“That okay?”
“More than okay.” I kiss his lips briefly.
It’s not enough, but it has to be because Kaylee could come out here any minute.
“So, she’s staying, huh?”
“She will be. She has some things to get straightened out first, but it looks like she’ll be moving here permanently.”
“Ah. Uh, cool. I guess I’ll be looking for a new job soon?”
Oh shit. I didn’t even think of that. “We’ll still need you.”
“Just not as much. It’s okay. This was never going to be a long-term thing anyway. Kaylee starts school in a few months.”
“Hey, maybe look on the bright side? When we finish your demo, you won’t even need this job because you’re going to get signed.”
Lyric doesn’t look convinced.
“Maggie’s only here for six more days, and then she’ll be back in a few weeks. I was thinking …”
“She should spend as much time with Kaylee as she can while she’s here?”
“Well, yes, but we can use that time to record. I don’t have any producing work scheduled for two more days.”
If sex had a tone, it just fell out of my mouth, but I didn’t mean it to come out that way. Well, not entirely.
“How much work do you think we’re really going to get done when you say it like that?”
I throw up my hand and make the Vulcan salute from Star Trek. “Scout’s honor.” No way I’m actually promising that for real.
Lyric snorts.
“Okay, I promise to be professional while we’re recording.” When we’re done for the day, that’s another story. “I figure with Maggie around more, we’ll actually have a chance to do this right. I could go on a real date with you.”
“A date? Like an actual, go to dinner and sit across from each other and talk about our lives type of date?”
“It might not have PDA, but it’s the closest thing to a real date I can offer.”
“Do you really think you can be professional until Maggie gets back?” Lyric’s doubtful expression mirrors my exact thoughts.
“Probably not.”
Chapter Eighteen
Lyric
Surprisingly, Ryder manages to keep it professional. For two days. Minus a sneaky kiss on the cheek here and there, we’ve mainly been in the studio doing actual work while Maggie has taken Kaylee to playgroup.
Maggie staying is a good thing. It’ll be great for Ryder to have a little more freedom and even better for Kaylee to spend quality time with her mom.
But it does feel like my time as her nanny will be cut short.
And I have to wonder how much effort Ryder will put into seeing me if I’m not conveniently there all the time.