Page 9 of Rockstar's Accidental Marriage

Forcing a smile, I ignore him or try to.

Cass nods along, and I launch into my speech, outlining everything from potential sponsorships to social media strategies. My brother listens intently, Vince frowns like always, and Nate and Luke nod intermittently.

Sam, meanwhile, doesn’t even pretend to care. He just watches me, his expression half-amused, half... something else. It’s distracting, and I hate that he knows it.

“Any questions so far?” I ask, finally looking around the table.

Sam raises his hand like we’re in grade school. “Yeah, just one. Does this mean you’re officially Boss Lady now?”

The room falls silent, and I swear Cass chokes on his coffee.

“Boss Lady?” Luke echoes, smirking

Sam leans back in his chair, his grin growing. “It’s fitting, don’t you think? She’s got the clipboard, the attitude, the whole package.”

Heat floods my face, but I force myself to stay calm. “Call me Boss Lady if you want, Sam. Just make sure you’re paying attention.”

“Oh, I’m paying attention,” he retorts, his tone low and loaded with innuendo. My heart flutters in response, but I ignore it.

Cass clears his throat, clearly trying to stifle a laugh. “All right, settle down. Let’s keep this professional.”

I shoot him a glare, but he just shrugs. Traitor.

The rest of the meeting goes smoothly—or as smoothly as possible—with Sam’s constant interruptions. Whenever I make a point, he has a sarcastic comment ready, delivered with an infuriating smirk. By the end, I’m ready to strangle him, but I keep my cool. Barely.

When the meeting wraps up, the others file out, leaving just Sam and me in the room. I gather my notes, trying to pretend he’s not there, but of course, he doesn’t leave.

“Emily,” he says grudgingly, leaning against the table, “you almost sounded like you knew what you were doing.”

I glance up at him with a frown. “Was that...almosta compliment?”

“Don’t look so shocked,” he adds, ignoring my sarcasm. “I can be civil when I feel like it.”

“Thanks,” I say stiffly, shoving my papers into my folder, ignoring how my hands tremble.

“Don’t mention it, Boss Lady,” he says, relishing my new nickname.

I snap my folder shut, fixing him with a glare. “Why must you always joke, Sam?”

“I take some things seriously.” He shrugs. “Just not meetings.”

“Good to know,” I mutter, brushing past him and walking out, determined not to let him get under my skin.

The rest of the day is a blur of logistics and planning. Between phone calls, emails, and a million tiny crises, I barely have time to think about Sam, which is exactly how I like it.

When I break for lunch, Cassidy, my niece, and her mom, Kendrick, a tall, stately blonde with gray eyes, glance up with welcoming smiles.

“Aunt Emily, you’re eating with us today. Right?” Cassidy asks as she jumps up and gives me a warm hug. She looks like a mini-me of her mother.

“Sure am,” I tell her, lightly returning her embrace.

Feeling Kendrick’s knowing eyes on me, I avoid her gaze. “Emily, how did it go in there? Your first official band meeting.”

“Fine,” I shrug, but Kendrick’s not buying it.

“And Sam? Was he okay with your new position?” she asks bluntly.

Exhaling a sigh, I grimace. “Besides his sarcastic comments, he’s now got everyone calling me Boss Lady.”

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