Page 21 of How to Love a Rockstar

She stomps her foot. It’s adorable. She reminds me of an angry otter and everyone knows otters get cuter the madder they get. “You’re not walking me home.”

“I’ll stay behind you. You don’t have to speak to me, but I need to make sure you get home safe.”

Her face softens at my words before it hardens once again. “I don’t need you to make me feel safe.”

There’s obviously a story here. A reason why safety is a hot button for her. I wish I could ask her what happened. What’s made her crave safety? Was it her past? Was she not safe?

I push all those questions down. She’s not answering any questions from me tonight anyway.

“Won’t the band be mad you took off without telling them where you’re going in the middle of the concert?”

My bandmates know exactly where I am. Wherever Virginia is. The teasing has barely begun with those assholes. And I could not care less.

I shrug. “They’ll be fine until I return.”

Her annoyance fills the air until she finally throws her arms up. “Fine. Walk behind me. See if I care.”

Oh, she cares all right. But I’m not the idiot who’s going to remind her of how much she cares.

She begins marching down Main Street. I let her get ahead a bit before following. Her pert ass bounces up and down as she marches. If she knew how much I’m enjoying ogling her ass, she’d kill me in my sleep.

“Did you enjoy the rest of the pizza?”

Her shoulders slump at my question. She pauses on the sidewalk in front ofBake Me Happy. “Thank you for wrapping it up.”

Those words cost her. But she said them anyway. My little librarian has a backbone made of reinforced steel.

“You’re welcome.”

I catch a glimpse of her reflection in the front window of the bakery. She appears defeated. Damn. I don’t want to make her feel defeated. I want to lift her up. Show her how fantastic she is.

Apparently, I’m doing a crappy job. Maybe I should phone my sisters for advice. I snort. No. I know better. They’d be on a plane here within hours to snoop on the situation.

“Do you want me to get a golf cart?”

Since Winter Falls is obsessed with the environment, no cars are allowed. Instead, there are golf carts stationed throughout the town. But there is no golf course. Those are apparently bad for the environment.

As I expected, at my suggestion that Virginia's too tired to make it home, she begins marching again. I keep my distance but follow behind her.

We’re nearly at the apartment when she whirls around to face me. “Would you please answer your phone? It’s driving me batty!”

My phone’s been beeping with messages since we left the bar. It’s easy enough for me to ignore. It’s always beeping with messages. I can tell by the tones, these messages are from my bandmates. I don’t need their teasing now.

I dig my phone out and switch off the ringer. “There. Better?”

Her eyes widen. “Aren’t you going to check the messages?”

I shrug. “No need. If it was an emergency, they’d call.”

“If you’re not going to answer your messages, why don’t you keep your phone on silent all the time?”

I roll my eyes. “Because the band’s assistant would lose her mind if I did.”

She scowls at the reminder I’m in a band. Is the band why she has a problem with me? I know Indigo struggles with how famous Cash is.

Do I want a woman who hates my fame? Who can’t handle the fans and limelight?

Fame isn’t real. And it won’t last. Love lasts. The love Cash and Indigo have for each other lasted through eleven years of separation. I want what they have.

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