Chapter 59

As the day progressed, my stomach tightened until it was once more in a painful knot. We had three hours until we were flying to the island, and it was almost time to leave for the airport.

I was completely packed and dressed in comfy clothes for flying, but it wasn't until Jack started giving his housekeeper some instructions for managing the apartments while he was away that it sank in that I was actually going.

We'd spent the morning together, but I'd mostly been there while he talked to various people. I'd caught up on messages, responded to emails, and written a little, but it had only taken my mind off things for so long.

Jack was still getting things ready, on the phone with someone about something house-related, when my own phone buzzed. I frowned as I picked it up and noticed it was my agent.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Juno, just wanted to let you know I've almost finished negotiating the new final contract for the song with the band. Are you still in the US?"

"Yes, for now, but I'm having a long weekend away. Maybe a week. But don't worry. I'll write a little each day."

"Oh. You're going to the island too?"

I paused, not sure how to answer that question. How did he know, and why didn't he sound pleased?

"If I am, why aren't you happy about it?"

"I can still make it work if you are. Unless you're forbidding me to use it?"

I rolled my eyes as he reverted to his chirpy self.

"You surprise me, Juno. I'd have thought you wouldn't want to after everything in this negotiation."

"Okay. What's happening that I don't know about?" I asked, the knot in my stomach getting tighter.

"Nothing you don't know about. They're just digging their heels in about putting your name in the songwriting credits, and I have to convince them to do so."

"Oh." I frowned, almost in shock for a moment. Harry was just doing what I'd asked him to. I liked to have my name on everything I did, even if it didn't make me much money.

"I think they're giving in. There's been some talk of unions because you're not in a songwriters' one, but I think we've managed to find something that's a bit of a compromise."

"Okay, so you're handling it?"

"Of course, Juno. I handle everything."

"Then why are you calling?"

"Can't an agent call one of his best clients and make sure she's okay?" Harry replied, sounding mock-hurt. I chuckled.

"I think we both know that you're making sure I'm still alive and writing something that will make you money," I replied.

"I'm wounded by that accusation. It will make us both lots of money, darling. That's my job. To make me rich and you even richer."

Both of us chuckled as I hung up again. My agent was at least honest in a flippant sort of way. And I was grateful for what he did. He'd placed a slight worry at the back of my mind, though. Why was Jack's band not okay with sticking my name in the credits? It wasn't like I was asking for money or anything. I only wanted to be able to say I'd done it.

I'd really enjoyed being involved, and I wanted to prove that I was so I could see about maybe doing something similar in the future. It was a way to keep my options open and create more revenue streams. In short, it was good business.

Something about it made me feel off, though. Were Jack and his band trying to sideline me? It didn't make any sense that they would when I'd been invited to spend more time with them, but…

I sighed, knowing I was probably getting myself tied up in knots for something that didn't matter that much. I made a mental note to ask Jack about it and if he understood what all the negotiating was over in case I was missing something, and then I got back to finishing off the messages I had.

While I was on the island, I wanted to focus on nothing but being there and enjoying it. I hadn't had a vacation I fully enjoyed in a long time. I was determined to make this one different.

Before I could do much else, Jack came into the room.

"Everything's organized. Going to leave in about ten minutes. Are you ready?"

"Just got to finish an email," I replied, typing quicker and focusing.

I tried not to think about how stressed Jack sounded while I finished up and tucked my laptop into my bag as swiftly as I could. In less than ten minutes, Jack was back. I quickly slipped some shoes on and grabbed what I needed.

Being late for anything or the person to hold someone else up was always something I hated, and it was no different in this situation. A moment later, Jack and I were heading out the door, Neil not far behind, bringing the last bag that Jack had packed that morning.

I had my carry-on bag, but that was it, and I took it down to the waiting car, although it was heavier than usual, and I was more than a little relieved when Mick took it off me and stuffed it in the trunk of the car.

As he did, I noticed there were no other bags in there and wondered where all the rest of our luggage was. Had it been taken to the airport already?

Jack didn't give me the opportunity to ask, however. He opened the car door for us and pulled me inside with him.

I sighed as we settled onto the back seat together, his arm around me.

"How long do you think it will take to get there?" I asked, trying not to think about anything else now.

"The flight is about five to six hours. And then we'll take a car to the harbor and a boat to the island, which takes another three or four. We'll get to the island late tonight or early tomorrow. You can sleep on the airplane and the boat if you want."

I blinked, having not understood how long the journey would be but not wanting to complain. I'd still be with Jack, and I'd had more than one late night with him already.

"Sounds great," I replied. "Though I might nap on the plane if it's quiet enough."

"There's a bed and a couple of quieter spaces. I'm sure we can find you somewhere," Jack replied without missing a beat, and immediately, I was reminded about how different life was for a celebrity.

For a moment, I'd been thinking of a commercial flight and having to try to get some sleep on the awkward seats in cattle class.

Of course, Jack knew we were going on a private jet, and I had none of that to worry about.

Feeling as if I still had a lot to get used to and remember, I leaned into him and rested my head against his shoulder. At least I was going to enjoy a vacation with some people I was loving getting to know and one of the most amazing men on the planet.