Page 8 of Dreaming About Forever

Nathan raised a hand and cleared his throat. “One thing. If you can’t say something nice–”

“Don’t say anything. We go through this every time.”

“It still needs to be said. Also, maybe try not to scowl during the whole video conference. Your facial expressions speak louder than your words sometimes.”

“Noted. Now, can I get a cup of coffee before we start the Babysitters’ Club meeting?”

Nathan scrubbed a hand down his face. “You’re going to lose us the job if you don’t–”

“I’m not going to say anything. And I’ll even sit off to the side if you want so they can’t see me.”

“We have to be transparent,” Nathan said.

“Okay, then I’ll pretend to take notes and look at my computer the whole time. I can’t help it if my face reads like a warning.”

Well, if there was a way to change the default message his face put out into the world, he hadn’t figured it out yet. People had been telling him for years he was unapproachable, too stern, closed off, and gruff, but no one bothered to tell him how to change it.

He wasn’t opposed to having friends, and he liked being nice to people, but he also laid everything out at face value and didn’t pull punches.

Nathan squared his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest. “I think this might be a good job for you. Don’t shut it down before you get the facts.”

“She’s a celebrity, isn’t she?” Jordan asked.

“Yes, but this is a special case. I know you think they’re all spoiled little rich kids, but their lives require a level of security that we can provide. They call us because they need help. It’s our job to protect them and not ask questions.”

“I understand all of that,” Jordan said. He did. He wanted to provide protection for those who needed it. He just bristled at the idea of fame and fortune of a certain magnitude.

“Good,” Nathan said.

“And why do you think I’d be a good fit for this one?”

Jordan never did well with female clients. They wanted a sweet, doting guy, and he was about as closed off as Fort Knox. He wasn’t there to pat their ego either, and more than a few ladies had turned up their noses at his hands-off approach.

Nathan rubbed his jaw. “I spoke with her manager this morning, and I have an idea. I’m not ready to share it yet, but if this meeting goes the way I think it will…”

“Got it. We’ll see.”

Nathan slapped a hand against the doorframe. “You have a few minutes to get that coffee.”

* * *

Jordan strodeinto the conference room with two minutes to spare. The large room had a rectangular table in the middle and a big-screen TV mounted on one wall.

Nathan slid a tablet across the table with an article already pulled up. “There are a few things you should read first. Scroll through them quickly.”

Jordan picked up the tablet, and the name jumped out at him.

Alicia Carver.

“You’re kidding me,” Jordan said.

“Her contract is up for grabs. It’s a temp job because she’ll be transitioning to her tour team soon. The contract is from now until the day after Christmas.”

One month. One month with the pop princess herself.

The photo in the first article wasn’t flattering. At least, it was clear they’d tried to choose a photo that didn’t show her in the best light, but Alicia Carver had beauty no one could deny.

She was gorgeous, but that meant nothing if she was a spoiled brat. Jordan didn’t know for sure, but ridiculous money like that made people insufferable.

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