Page 25 of Songbird
Rosie’s mouth is grim, her blue eyes determined, and just when I think I can’t hate the asshole more than I already do, I imagine how I’d do things differently if we were in the same room again, and blood rushes in my ears.
“Hey,” Rosie says, like an idea just occurred to her. “Can I borrow your computer?”
“Sure.”
Her eyes brighten, and she’s already reaching for the machine as I close the browser and spin the screen to face her. Her fingers fly over the track pad and then the keys, and when she offers no more information, I decide she’s entitled to some privacy.
I stand and click my tongue to get Dakota’s attention. “Come on, girl. Time for some fresh air.”
Thetap-tap-tapof Rosie’s typing abruptly halts, replaced by theclick-clackof Dakota’s nails on the floorboards.
“You’re not going far?” Rosie asks.
“Just off the porch. And not for long.”
Her slender shoulders fall, and her exhale is almost a sigh. “Okay. Thanks.”
Staying true to my word, I heft Dakota down the porch stairs and stroll along behind her as she sniffs her way around the perimeter of the bungalow. I take some time to think more about the applicants Drew suggested for Rosie’s new security team. Of the four so far, none are good enough. They’re either too young or too old. Too inexperienced or too cocky. Even revisiting their profiles now in my head, I can’t convince myself to give any a second look. And it’s not because I don’t want to, but because Rosie’s too vulnerable for me to risk rushing this. Nowhere is safer for her right now than here with me, and I won’t let her out of my sight until that’s no longer true.
The afternoon is warm, even for mid-April, and the air is still and silent. I stay within earshot of the cabin, but I’m outside long enough that Rosie eventually comes looking for me. I hear the squeak of the front door, her feet landing on the soft dirt behind me, and then the gentle sigh of her deep exhale as she stops at my side and stares out over the river.
“It’s so pretty here,” she murmurs.
“Yeah. It is.”
“The water’s so calm and clear.”
“We’re lucky,” I agree. “This part of the river system is clean and deep. My dad even built the dock long enough for diving. We loved it as kids.”
Rosie hums and falls quiet for a moment. I watch her from the corner of my eye.
“I just fired my publicist,” she announces with her focus on the horizon and a jump of emotion in her voice.
I glance at her from the corner of my eye to try and get a read on what that emotion might be. Excitement. Nerves. Fear. Confidence. All of the above.
“I also fired my talent agent, my legal representation, and my security team.” She huffs out a grim chuckle. “Lauren too.”
I grunt with approval.
“I made a list of anyone Chip personally hired and sent emails cutting off every single one of them. If I’m going to make a fresh start, I need to be brave about it, right?”
I risk another quick look at the woman beside me and my mouth tips up at the way she stands taller. All five foot nothing of her. “Right.”
“I emailed my accountant and revoked Chip’s access to my money,” she adds and this time there’s no misreading the fierceness in her tone. “And I canceled the lease on the house in Los Angeles. I’ve got thirty days to work out what to do with my stuff, and he’s got thirty days to find a new place to live.”
I smirk and imagine the look on the jerk’s face when he finds out Rosie is taking back her life.
“You approve?” Rosie asks with a curious smile.
I cross my arms over my chest and try not to grin as I glance at the water. “Not my place to have an opinion.”
“You approve,” she decides, and a flush of pleasure brightens her high cheekbones. “I can’t tell you what this feels like, Finn. I cut every string tying me to him so I can start all over again on my own and it feels… It feels…”
“Good?” I suggest.
“Better than good. Better thangreat. It feels…”
She looks down at the dark phone clutched in one hand, then back up at the river.
