Page 3 of Me and Mr. Just Right

Rose’s eyebrows winged up in surprise as she took in Lia’s hat, sunglasses, and mask. “One and the same!” she said, her expression full of mirth. “Ready to hit the road?”

“Absolutely.” More than ready. Lia climbed into the truck, and Rose peeled out of the parking lot as if the cops were on her heels. Lia tried to imagine what her label’s PR head, Carmen, would think of her getting into a car with a stranger in the middle of nowhere, thick woods followed by endless ocean on all sides.

She’d throw an absolute fit. Which was why Lia hadn’t told her anything. Only her assistant knew where she’d gone this week—and she was perfectly capable of fielding all the phone calls and texts coming her way, while keeping Lia’s location secret.

She was definitely going to deserve a raise.

“What brings you all the way out here?” Rose asked over roaring wind blowing through the open windows. Lia held her mask to her face so she didn’t lose it. Rose glanced quickly at her, then back at the road. “You can take your mask off out here.”

“I’d prefer not to,” Lia said politely but firmly. Let Rose think she was rude. Lia craved anonymity like she craved carbs whenever her team put her on a diet. Meaning desperately.

Rose lifted her brows, clearly taken aback.

Lia was surprised to realize she wanted Rose to like her, and she softened the edge to her tone. “I’m here to get away from everything.” How much could she say without giving too much away? “My life recently imploded.”

“How?” Rose asked, her shoulders relaxing. “If you don’t mind me asking. My brothers are always quick to tell me that I’m a snoop.” She rolled her eyes. “As if their lives are interesting enough to snoop into.”

Lia laughed. She hadn’t talked to her brother since Christmas. Not because they were estranged. Lucas was nine years old, and she could only have so many conversations with him about Lego creations and video games.

“My boyfriend cheated on me,” Lia said. That was universal enough of an experience to be safe divulging it without sparking any recognition.

“No!” Rose said, perfectly indignant.

“With my best friend,” she continued, comforted by Rose’s reaction. So many articles had hinted thatshewas to blame. Like being famous meant you deserved to be betrayed.

Rose gasped. “Stop it.”

“And then spread a rumor … at work, that I’m unstable. After they stole my work and took credit for it.”

Rose pumped the brakes so hard, the seat belt tightened over Lia’s chest as she flew forward toward the dash. “I’m going to need names and addresses. My brothers might not be good for much, but together, we can get this job done.”

Lia coughed and settled back into her seat. She peered over her shoulder to make sure no cars were behind them, but the road was empty. And she was apparently alone with an aspiring hit-woman. “Ummm …”

Rose laughed. “Sorry. That’s Mr. Hyde talking.”

“Mr. Hyde?” Lia asked.

“From the book? Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He’s the murderous alter ego. But I’m only murderous in theory. I promise.” She held her fingers up in two peace signs and gave Lia a cheesy grin.

Lia relaxed. She liked Rose, who reminded her a bit of her younger sister, jumping from topic to topic like a frog on a lily pad. It was easy for Lia to sit back and listen. Lia had always put a lot of stock into vibes, and she was getting good vibes from Rose.

Rose started driving again. “Mom says my dark humor is why I’ve never been in a steady relationship.”

“Well, relationships aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.”

“Right? Thank you! None of my brothers are in steady relationships, but she doesn’t give them any grief. It’s a total double standard.”

“Stay single as long as you can,” Lia advised. Maybe that would be the theme of her next album—with her hit single, the brilliant song “Turbulent.”

You’ll never write again,Inner Gwen whispered.

Rose parked her truck at a marina, and Lia followed her down a sloped metal walkway to the docks. They stopped at a yacht with a red-and-white dinghy parked beside it. “Here’s our ride. This is your last chance to check your phone, because you won’t have reliable service out there.”

Lia had turned her phone off when she’d gotten on the plane in Ketchikan, and she had no intention of turning it back on again until this week was over.

Rose took Lia’s bag and guitar and placed them on the seat, then helped Lia onto the little boat. The engine started with a hum, and Lia rested her back against the seat with her eyes closed as the dinghy eased away from the harbor.

Maybe by the time the week was over, everyone in the world would forget that Borelia had ever existed. Or at least Lia could figure out where to go from here.

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