Page 32 of Vodka and Violets (The Hamiltons)

“I get you – and I love you.”

She leaned in and pressed a quick peck to his lips. “Thank you.”

As patient and understanding as he might be, he couldn’t deny that he was curious as hell as the next few minutes rolled by while she pondered whatever she and Autumn had talked about.

Eventually, she turned and smiled at him. “She asked if I want a contract of my own.”

Xander wasn’t sure that he understood. He cocked an eyebrow and asked, “You mean, like, a recording contract of your own?”

“Yep.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

She knocked the breath out of him when she flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you so much! I forgot that you really do understand me.”

He leaned back so that he could look into her eyes. “Of course I do.” He chuckled. “At least, I usually do. I’m not sure I understand your reaction right now.”

“You asked how I feel about it. That wouldn’t occur to most people. Even people who love me. Most of them would ask what the contract would entail – what it would mean for my career and for my life. Lots of people would immediately jump to congratulations because a recording contract is a big deal. But you get me. You know that I don’t necessarily see things the way that other people do – and most of all, you care. You care about how I feel.”

“I do.”

“Okay, so, I think the thing is … I … I feel kind of ungrateful saying it. I know a lot of people would give anything for an opportunity like this, but I don’t want it.”

“It doesn’t matter what anyone else would do, and certainly not what anyone else might think or say. This is your life, Tori, the only thing you need to focus on is what you want.”

She grinned at him. “All I really want right now is to see how you’d feel about going out with everyone tomorrow night.”

He gave her a puzzled smile. “Sure. Who is everyone?”

She laughed. “Autumn and Matt, and Matt’s band; they’re good guys, I think you’ll like them. And Carson and his crew. Apparently, Corbyn talked to Autumn about bringing Brock on board. She liked the idea of bringing him out with everyone to see how he fits in. Matt’s never been big on having security, but she likes the idea of having Brock work for the label rather than just with Carson.”

“Sounds good to me. And I guess Brock must be giving the idea serious consideration if he hasn’t left town already.”

“Yeah. I think that’s partly why she asked us to go. We’ll be familiar faces for him while he gets to know everyone.”

“And is Autumn going to use this as an opportunity to try to talk you into taking a contract?”

“No. I don’t think so. If anything, I think it might be a case of letting me see what it would be like to be around everyone in my own right – as you know, I’ve only ever been the backup.”

He closed his hand around the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss. When they finally broke apart, he smiled. “You’ve always been a star in my eyes.”

She let out a short laugh. “Okay, I think maybe I prefer horny. There’s a fine line between romantic and cheesy, and you may have just crossed it.”

He tried to look hurt, but he couldn’t pull it off. So, he stood, keeping an arm around her as her feet slid to the ground. “In that case, I should take you home.” He caught her hand and towed her along, back to where they parked.

She laughed as she trotted beside him. “Oh yeah? And why’s that?”

“You said you prefer me horny, right? Well, I am. And there’s not a lot I can do about that here.”

Chapter Nine

“Are you okay?” Xander asked as he came around to take Tori’s hand when she climbed out of the cab.

She looked up at the sign over the bar where they were meeting Autumn and Matt and the others. “I think so.” She gave him a small smile. “It’s weird, but I feel nervous. I’m not used to that.”

“I think it’s understandable.”

“You do?”

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