Page 84 of Movers and Shakers

“Can I get you another drink before I get back to work?”

Her glass wasn’t even halfway empty. “No, I’m okay, but thank you. I’ll let you get back, though.”

I led her back to the dance floor, and as I busied myself with things I didn’t need to do, I wondered if I would catch her dancing.

But I never did. It was almost like she’d had fun just talking to me.

Chapter Sixteen

Rose

“So, how did that go?” Juno asked the second I walked in the door. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“I told you that you didn’t have to wait up for me.” I put down my purse.

“One of the most famous women in the world went to a bar with different-colored hair and I’m her bodyguard. Of course I waited up.”

“I’m fine,” I said. “Really.”

“And what happened?”

“He opened up to me way more than he ever did as Lila.” I could still feel the way my heart loosened as he did so. Some of those caged thoughts were free and I was able tofinallyhelp him with them.

“Oh.”

“I think he could trust this version of me more.”

Juno was silent for a long time. “I’m . . . happy for you, but seeing him asRose?This is risky.”

I looked at my hands. She wasn’t wrong. Itwasrisky and Mom would be so upset if she knew I was blurring the lines like this. But then I thought about that rooftop bar, unseen by Lila’s eyes.

“But this feels less complicated when I’mme,”I said. “All of it does.”

“So you plan to have one side of you ghost him?”

“He still has to hear the rest of my album.”

“Okay, then ghost him as Rose.”

“Ican’t.I’ve promised to help him meet his dad.”

Juno blinked. “You didwhat?”

My cheeks heated. “The point is, I’m entangled.”

“That might not be a good thing,” she said. “People could get hurt here. Barry could find out and think you’re playing him. Or worse, someone sees you going to the same place Lila is and notices that you seem similar.”

“It would be easier if he knew. I bet Barry would know a way out of this.” I rubbed a hand over my face.

“You’re not thinking about telling him, are you?” she asked.

“Maybe that’s a good idea.”

“No. That’s not a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because what if he tells? Your NDA doesn’t cover anything asRose.”

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