Page 70 of Movers and Shakers

“Girl,”she said instead of a greeting. “People are loving this new single.”

“Are they? I’ve been . . . busy.”

“Hopefully preparing for some performances.”

“Mostly on breaking my contract with Mia. She handled all of that.”

“She was your PR managerandpublicist?”

“Yeah. Before that, it was Rick.”

“That’s a lot of control to give one person.”

“I know. Trust me, my lawyer had alotto say about it. But it worked for a time. I’ll have to figure out a new person for the job soon.”

“Well, then. I might have a recommendation for you. My cousin Malia is an agent. She’s been wanting to help you for a while.”

“When is she free?”

“For Lila Wilde? Any time.”

“Then let’s set up a meeting.”

I refused to go home and see the couch where I’d found Mia and Blaze, but being out and about as Lila Wilde made it very dangerous. Juno was already grumbling as we drove to our next stop. The paparazzi were eager to catch any glimpse of me, and my jet had been tracked back to LA, which meant they knew I was here.

And they’d somehow known I was going to the studio. I noticed a car seemingly following us and assumed it had to be one of them, and judging by the way they jumped out and ran to me, I was right.

There were flashes of cameras and calls of my name. I ducked down and ran inside, knowing I’d stirred the pot by doing this.

Sasha was waiting with another woman next to her. They looked so much alike that it was like they were twins. They had the same dark skin and eyes. The only difference was that Sasha’s hair was in a natural afro and the woman beside her had box braids.

“Hi,” I said. “Malia, right?”

“Yes. That’s me. Nice to meet you, Ms. Wilde.”

“Lila, please,” I said.

“Okay, Lila,” she replied. “How are you?”

“Um, busy. I’ve been working on a new album, which I’m still figuring out a name for, and my single just dropped—‍”

“But how areyou?”she asked. “I know your work. It’s incredible, but you’ve just separated from an agent who was the daughter of the man who discovered you and just broke it off with your long-term boyfriend.”

I blinked. Mia never asked about me.

“I’ve been better. I feel a little lost, actually.”

“I’m sorry,” Malia said. “Let’s see what we can do to help.”

She worked for an agency that specialized in all aspects of management. While she would be my main contact, I would alsowork with other people for different parts of my career. I’d have an entire team rather than one person overseeing everything.

The idea sounded better than anything Mia could have ever offered. As I listened to her explain in detail how she would help me, my stress lifted.

“How’s this sounding?” Malia asked.

“More than okay. I’d love to work with you.”

“Great! I’ll draw up the paperwork. Then we’ll talk PR for this most recent news.”

---