10

Hailey

The next morning, I stretched my body and smiled. I couldn't remember the last time I smiled when I woke up. I enjoyed going to the studio, but it was more than that. I was happy. Excited to start my day.

I looked at the row of sweatpants in my closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and a crop top instead.

Walking toward the kitchen, the smell of bacon made my stomach rumble and immediately my smile grew bigger.

"Morning," I said when I saw Christian pouring a glass of orange juice.

"Morning," he drawled and did a double take when he saw me. His eyes dropped to my bare midsection, and then he quickly looked away. I fought back a smile at his obvious discomfort and grabbed a couple of bananas.

"Breakfast is ready." He spun around and set the glasses on the kitchen table in front of the steaming plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.

"You spoil me, you know."

He looked up and held my gaze. Then he cleared his throat. "It's nothing. I always make breakfast for myself, so adding an extra egg and slice of bacon is no big deal."

"It is for me. No one's ever taken care of me the way you have."

He rubbed his palms against his sweater. He didn't wear a suit today. It was Saturday, and I didn't go into the studio on Saturdays. "Well, that's a shame, because you deserve a lot more than just breakfast."

I blinked at the emotion his words stirred in me. There was nothing sentimental about them, but from all the hate and rejection I received the last few weeks, a few kind words nearly undid me.

"Thank you," I said and cleared my tight throat.

We ate our breakfast, and I remembered something. "My family is coming for lunch tomorrow. It will be my parents, grandparents, Aunt Betty, Uncle Joe, and my cousin Anya."

He furrowed his brow, so I asked, "Is that all right?"

"I haven't done background checks on them." He looked down at his watch. "But I should have enough time before then."

I laughed at his joke. "That's funny."

He tilted his head and shrugged. He wasn't joking?

"Are they bringing lunch?" he asked, not looking up from his phone.

"Of course not. I always order from Don Giovanni's down the street when they come over. I'll just do the same today."

His head shot up. "I'd rather you didn't."

"Why not?" I shoved a forkful of bacon into my mouth.

"If you usually order from them, then this is a pattern. And if anyone figures out your patterns, they could poison your food."

I tilted my head. "Do you think someone would go to that extreme?"

"Have you already forgotten my last client's story?"

I chewed slowly, recalling the kidnapping. "Well, this isn't the same thing."

He sighed and typed something into his phone. "If it's Italian you're looking for, there's a place I trust in the city. I'll order it under a different name and pick it up. No one will know it's for you."

Was I going to argue with him about Italian restaurants? I didn't like Don Giovanni's that much.

I shrugged. "As long as I don't have to cook, I'm fine with whatever." Besides, his concern was comforting. It was much better than forcing my last bodyguard to get off the couch.

I hummed as I poured myself another glass of juice and a second helping of bacon.

"What's that?"

"What's what?" I asked, looking down at my plate.

"That song you're humming. It's pretty."

Oh. I hadn't realized I was singing some of the words out loud. "Oh, it's just something I'd written when I was a kid. I would sing it whenever something good happened at school." I hadn't sung that song in so long though, I'd nearly forgotten about it.

I moved the scrambled eggs around my plate as a thought occurred to me. "Maybe I should sing it live on my social page? I want to prove to everyone that I can sing and this song has never been recorded. It could be a great way to share something special with my fans and still prove a point to my haters."

"I think that's a great idea."

"Yeah, me too. I'm going to call Sam."

I pushed back from the table and nearly ran out of the kitchen when I remembered something. I poked my head back in. "Thanks again for breakfast. I appreciate it."

"My pleasure," he murmured, and I walked away, smiling.

***

Later that afternoon, Sam and Ingrid stood in my living room, setting up a tripod and ring light. "Almost done, Hailey."

"Sam, have you posted my statements? I haven't had a chance to check yet."

She tightened the screw on the tripod. "Yes. Your fans loved it. I can feel the support swinging back your way."

My shoulders relaxed. "That's great."

"There were a couple of negative comments, but Ingrid replied to them."

"Thanks, Ingrid."

"Don't mention it," she said shyly.

"Okay, we're all set up. How's your throat?"

"It's perfectly fine. I'm good." I perched myself on top of a nearby stool. "Ready?"

Sam turned to Hailey, and she gave us the thumbs up. Then she counted me down on her fingers.

Five, four, three, two…

"Hi everyone. I hope you're enjoying your weekend. I woke up with a smile this morning and it reminded me of one of my favorite songs when I was a little girl. It was the first song I'd ever written. I wrote it for my daddy, but although I'm all grown up now, I discovered this morning, it still makes me smile. I hope you like it."

I picked up the guitar next to me and strummed it. Taking a deep breath, I played the first chord, and I smiled, recalling the first time I'd performed this in my family room with my stuffed animals as the audience.

"You're the June to my May. The one who makes my worries go away. You'll always be my daddy, and I'll always be your Hailey, loving you forever and a day."

I laughed at the corniness of the song and sang the next verse. Louder this time, just like I did when I was a kid. I finished the set with the melody I'd written and then ended it on a high note. Dropping my pick, I smiled at the camera and waved goodbye.

"And cut." Sam walked over and hugged me. "That was so sweet. Everyone's going to love it, Hailey."

"You think so?" Now that it was over, I felt a bit silly singing a song I'd written when I was ten. I should have chosen one of my hits, but for some reason, I wanted to share something personal today.

Sam checked the phone with Ingrid, and her grin widened. "Your page is blowing up! The comments are pouring in."

Sam showed me the phone.

Love this, Hailey! I'm going to show it to my dad.

Hailey!!! This is so sweet!!! Love your voice!

Yas, Queen!

The comments wiped away any doubt from my mind and it felt as though I was now back on track to focusing on my music and forgetting about all that negative stuff. "Thanks for helping me with this, Sam."

"You're welcome, Hailey. I'll try to book you for a radio interview soon. We should move quickly now while the momentum is positive. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Sounds good."

I pumped my arms in the air and shook my hips like a belly dancer. Sam laughed. "I love that energy, Hailey."

"Me, too. I feel good today."

"You should do something. Get out and let loose."

Christian cleared his throat behind us, and I smiled. "That is, if the big, bad bodyguard will let you have fun," she said and winked at said bodyguard.

His lips twitched, and he turned away. We both started laughing. "Thanks again, Sam. I'll talk to you on Monday."

She leaned in, kissed both of my cheeks and waved her fingers before leaving with Ingrid in her brand new, black sports car.

The sun was shining, birds sang in the background, and I was feeling better. "I should go dancing," I announced.

Christian stiffened but otherwise made no other attempt to stop me. "With whom?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. I haven't spoken to any of my friends in such a long time." Admittedly, I had buried myself in my career, and other than Sunday lunches once a month with my family, I rarely saw anyone outside of the business.

"What about Victor?"

"My dance instructor?"

"I mean, I've already done a background check on him."

I bent over, laughing. He said it so seriously, as though I would base my social life on one of his checklists. That was so absurd. "Really? And what if I want to pick up a total stranger at the club and take him home with me?" I teased.

He shook his head without breaking eye contact. "You wouldn't do that."

I stopped smiling. Suddenly, it felt as though an electrical current pulsed in the air. As though something was pulling me toward him. "How do you know I wouldn't?" my voice deepened, and I placed my hands on my hips. "There's a lot about me you don't know, Christian."

He swallowed, but kept his eyes glued to mine. "Like what?"

I smiled. "Dancing is an aphrodisiac to me. I feel free and light and just want to do something crazy every time I dance."

He stretched his hand, opening and closing it as though he were about to reach out for something with it. "I can't have you bringing someone home. Not now." He ran a hand through his hair. "It's too dangerous."

Christian's face grew bright, red streaks blushed from his neck.

I snorted. "You look like you're going to pass out. I'm only teasing you, Christian. Besides," I checked my phone. "I have no idea where I stand with Trey. I'm so fucking confused about that right now. I should call him."

"He's the one that owes you an explanation."

"Right?!" I agreed, annoyed with Trey all over again. It was dampening my mood. "Forget it. I'll let him cool off and call him in the morning. In the meantime," I smirked at Christian. "I'll call Victor." He was the best dancer I knew, anyway.

Christian closed his eyes, and his face relaxed.

Too bad because I liked teasing him very much.