Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Holy shit.
I lean back in my chair with a realization.
I’m in love with Bella Bailey.
Chapter Twenty
Bella
An hour before my Zoom meeting with Dash and Tyler, I’m already dreading my brother’s arrival. Dash will try and corner me for information and if he can’t, he’ll watch me all intently and judge every interaction between me and Tyler. Not to mention the awkwardness of not really processing and understanding what happened between me and Tyler on the walk back to the office.
Not a combination easily tolerated when I’m still running on nothing but a croissant. With this in mind, I hurry to the café where I order the egg salad sandwich that has been Allie’s obsession, and thanks to her influence, now mine. It takes me about five minutes to inhale it, after which I order a cookie and latte to go, and turn toward the door only to blanch when I find a potential client I’ve been hoping to land walking toward me. Becker Moses is a man most women call a tall drink of hot man in blue jeans, with wavy brown hair, a strong chin and jawline, and a charming smile. He’s also the hottest voice in country music in years, currently riding a wave of fame.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, smiling a greeting. “How are you even back here?”
“Looking for you, of course,” he declares in his country drawl, oozing charm. “The receptionist sent me here to wait while she hunted you down, but it seems it’s my lucky day. Here you are.” He gives me a once over and says, “Sunshine and honey, babe. You’re all kinds of sunshine and honey.”
I laugh. “Thanks, but we both know that’s the country song you’ve been singing to everyone these days. Great song, by the way.”
“Inspired by you,” he assures me.
I wave him off. “Whatever. Don’t you live in Texas? What brought you into town?”
“I agreed to play at Aldean’s. A favor to him. And it gave me a good excuse to see you.”
It’s hard not to be charmed by Becker, it really is, but of course, there is a heavy pull for me in another direction these days. A strong one, too, as I appear immune to Becker’s flirtation. Besides, performers tend to flirt with their public even from the stage, to the point it becomes a way of life.
“And here I thought you came over to make me your new agent,” I say.
The door behind him opens and there is a charge in the air, a rush of power that is as familiar as the man himself. Tyler's eyes meet mine, and there is a punch of awareness between us that I feel in every part of me.
Reluctantly it seems, and rather obviously I think, he forces his gaze to Becker. “Becker,” he greets, shaking the other man’s hand, but even with his attention elsewhere, it’s unnerving how aware of him I am right now. “Are you finally signing with us?”
Becker’s attention is on me now. “You know I’m loyal to Alex.” Alex, being his agent and he says those words almost as if they’re an apology.
“If I change agencies, Bella, it will be you all the way.” He glances at Tyler. “Which is a good reason for me to stay in touch with her.”
The chef, of all people, appears beside Tyler and motions him toward the counter. Tyler’s jaw tics but he says, “I’ll be right back.”
The instant he steps away, Becker shifts his attention back to me. “I’m actually headed to Memphis to film a video. My show here is Friday night. You want to come?”
“Sure,” I say, with no hesitation. Becker is a prospective client. I go to see clients and prospective clients play all the time. “I’d love to come. What time?”
“I’ll pick you up at six,” he says. “We can grab dinner if that’s cool with you?”
“Yes, great,” I say. “That will be fun.”
“Should I pick you up here?”
“Actually, I have a new puppy. I’ll want to go home and check on her. I can meet you.”
His eyes light, a love for animals written all over him. “What kind of puppy?”
“A Golden Retriever.”
“Ah. I love Goldens,” he says. “I have two. I have to come and see the puppy. I miss my boys. I take them with me when I can.” He pulls out his phone and shows me a photo of two smiling, gorgeous boys. “That’s Tuesday and Wednesday, which seemed great until I was trying to make a vet appointment. Wednesday is on Thursday and Tuesday is on Monday.”
I laugh. “Oh, gosh. That’s funny. It does sound like a song though.”
“I think you’re right. I’m inspired to write it, too.” He slides his phone back into his pocket. “Send me your address. I want to come and see your cutie.”