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Johnny turned his chair around and she launched into the entire thing. How she and Zara started with an idea last Christmas and everything that had happened up until the wee hours of that morning. She left out the parts about André’s drunk dial because that seemed irrelevant.
When she was done, Johnny’s expression was carefully neutral. He rubbed a hand along his jaw.
“What do you think?” she asked.
He took a breath and folded his hands in his lap. “I think this is a huge step.”
She held her breath.
“But you’re ready for it.”
“She might change her mind. Or her people might change her mind,” Nikki said. “I’m untested. I have no experience to speak of—”
“Let me stop you right there.” Johnny held up a hand. “Your experience speaks for itself. As does your talent and dedication. How many albums have you ridden shotgun with me on?”
She sniffed a laugh.
“Nikki,” he said seriously. “You can do this. And I, for one, am really fucking excited to see what you make.”
Johnny didn’t swear. Not unless he was trying to make a point.
Point made.
“Okay, then.” She rubbed her hands on her thighs and stood.
“Let me know what you need,” Johnny said. “You have all my support and access to most of my bank accounts, so have at it.”
She snorted and turned to go.
“And, Nikki…”
She turned back.
“You’ve got this.”
He sounded so convinced.
She smiled, nodded once, and left.
Everyone around her was being way too supportive. What if Zara changed her mind?
Well then, it just isn’t meant to be, Nikki justified.
Maybe that’s what it would take. If Zara backed out, Nikki would be fine. She’d accept it and everyone around her would console her, but she’d be fine.
Just like she always was.
Because no matter what happened, good or bad, she managed to be okay.
Some things just weren’t meant to be.
She made it back to the lounge and had barely crossed the threshold when she heard someone call her name. She stepped back into the hall and there was André. And he was crooking a finger at her with a pleased smile on his gorgeous lips.
Oh, she had fantasized about those lips all weekend long.
The way they said her name, the way they smiled, the shape of his cupid’s bow that was soft and subtle, but she always ended up staring at the shadow it made.
One of these days she was going to kiss him just to see if it was as amazing as she remembered.
