Page 35 of Second to None

“Yeah. He’s got Emily to look after. Our lives are not compatible.”

“Ever consider taking a break?”

“I don’t think I even know how.” My life had been almost nonstop for a decade. What would I do without places to be, songs to record, crowds to entertain? Who was I without all that?

“It’s not as hard as you think.” His voice carried the trace of a smile, elbows propped against the edge of the pool, wet hair sticking up in dark strands. “You juststop. Sleep for a month. And then you take it from there.”

I swam for the deeper end of the pool, restless energy buzzing under my skin. “Do you ever regret quitting?”

“No.” He didn’t even hesitate. “Like, you have to get dolled up for some industry party in a bit because that’s the job. Meanwhile, I can chill here with a movie. Not that champagne schmooze fests are the only reason I quit, but it’s one of them.”

He was right. My stylist would be over later so I could shine in an outfit I was paid to wear because I was famous and rich. Which, yeah—I had money, so I got free stuff. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

I turned to float on my back again, sun in my eyes. “Okay, that’s not the best part. Agreed. But what about other things? Concerts, howhappyyou can make people just by giving them a hug or a smile…”

”Yeah.” He was quiet for a second. “That’s true. I miss that sometimes. Those nights, you know, when we were justonand the crowd was right there with us. Better than sex.”

“Depends on the sex,” I said with a small grin.

“Thanks, spare me the details. I spent enough nights on the bus with you and Levi to fill in the blanks.”

That was fair, even though the casual mention made my breath catch. I exhaled. “Hey, since you just said you do miss concerts… Sure you don’t want us to do a live performance?”

“Nah, thanks.” Jace sounded relaxed but firm. “It’s been five years—I’d hype myself into a panic attack.”

“All right,” I said. “If you’re sure.”

“I am. I know myself, mate.”

“Kinda jealous.” I aimed for a light, joking tone but didn’t quite get there. When I glanced over, Jace was watching me with gentle eyes.

“I think you know yourself quite well, Cass. It’s just about being true to that. And you’re getting there, aren’t you?”

“I’m trying.”

“Isn’t that all anyone can ever really say?” His philosophical tone came with a teasing lilt, and since there was very little I could say in response, I toasted him with my beer.

“To trying.”

CHAPTER9

Levi

Beverly Hills, Sunday, August 17th

“You smell nice.”

And just like that, Emily threw me into a state of subdued panic. Was I trying too hard? I was meant to dress up a bit for my dinner with Cass, sure—I needed to look like I belonged with him, like he’d give me the time of day. But cologne wouldn’t show in the pictures. And I rarely bothered.

Which meant that Cass might conclude this was for him. And he’d be right.

A date. With Cass. In public.

Afakedate.

Sheer, utter madness must have compelled me to say yes to this harebrained scheme. It didn’t have to be me. Cass wasCass—there’d be hundreds, no, thousands of guys willing to help him out. Except the idea of him laughing with some other man, leaning close, smiling at a gentle brush of fingers… God, it made me want to claw at the wallpaper.

So, yeah. I was clearly in the right state of mind for this whole charade. What could go wrong?

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