Page 363 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“The agent?” I ask, remembering the guy who was probably the worst of the bad decisions she’s made as long as I’ve known her.

Her laugh floats through the line, making me smile. “Yeah, the agent.”

I giggle, knowing she’s rolling her eyes. “Ah, don’t sound like that, he was going to help you make a music video.”

“Harlow, he was not. He was hoping I would star in a much different kind of video with him.”

“Seriously, though, I’m super proud of you, no matter what happens at this meeting.”

“If it ends up being another dead end, I may just pack it up and move back home. Mom is dating this guy who seems really great, so maybe they won’t mind having me there again.”

“You’re not leaving Nashville until you do what you went there to do. I refuse to let you give up. I’m here for you. Besides, I need you to make connections. I want to meet some hot musicians.”

“I’ll get started on finding your future husband, don’t worry.”

“Alright, babe, I have to go. I’m meeting Zoe for lunch and then we’re finishing up at the studio.”

“Replacing me already?” Her tone is teasing, but I smile a little, knowing my decision to move was hard on both of us.

“Never. But I told you, come visit me.”

Ashtyn scoffs. “Starving artist, remember?”

“Right. I’ll come visit you soon.”

Eight

HARLOW

“I’ve been back from my honeymoon for two weeks and I’ve hardly seen you.” Zoe takes a sip of the mimosa the waiter dropped off just as I arrived. I was running late for our brunch thanks to Hendrix and his call after last night’s game. I don’t know how long we talked before I fell asleep listening to him tell me about their road trip.

“I’ve been busy with the studio,” I tell her. Which isn’t really a lie since I’ve been spending a lot of time down at the studio. I’ve stayed late getting things ready for the grand opening while trying not to get too used to the time Hendrix spends with me there when he isn’t busy.

“How’s it coming along? You almost ready to open?”

“I think so. I’m just waiting on the sound system to be installed, so nothing I can’t work around if there’s a delay.”

“You know who could help with that so you don’t have to wait?”

“Let me guess. Hendrix?” I don’t know why I ask because Zoe is not one to give up once she gets an idea, and the idea of Hendrix and me together is her current challenge.

“I was going to say Jake, but now that you mention it, Hendrix would be better.” The smile on her face tells me that she wasn’t going to suggest Jake at all.

“Nice try, but he doesn’t have time,” I lie. I didn’t ask him because time with Hendrix is becoming a little too common for me, and getting attached to him is not going to happen.

“Really? How do you know?”

“I don’t. I’m just saying I know how busy my dad is right now, so I can only imagine how busy Hendrix, or any of the other guys, is right now.”

“Just ask him. He’ll make time.”

“That’s the problem, Zoe. I don’t want him to make time.” Zoe’s eyes pinch together, and I can’t blame her for being confused. I’m confused. I want to spend time with Hendrix, and someone making time for me is something I’m not used to. Ian never went out of his way to spend time with me, which should have been the first clue that something was going on. I could get used to being someone important enough to be a priority.

“I just don’t get it. You’re both single, and the attraction is clearly there, unless you both snuck away from my rehearsal dinner and wedding reception at the same time with different people. Why not see where it goes?”

“Because I’ve dated high-profile before, remember? I don’t want to be another headline, and Hendrix can’t risk that right now either.” Being in a relationship with Hendrix would put me right back in the media spotlight, and that is not something I’m willing to risk again. I knew dating a sports agent ran its own risks, but it wasn’t until the news of how I tried to ruin a man’s family that I realized exactly how vicious reporters could be.

“Does he know that’s how you feel?”

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