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I laughed at her reaction, but turned my attention to Luna.
“I’m so happy to be home with you again, Luna. Even if it’s just a couple of weeks before I have to leave again. We’re going to havesomuch fun. And I think I’d like you to meet someone, okay? Since I’ve been spending so much time with Damien Apollo, I’d love for you two to meet. Would that be okay?”
Luna cocked her head and looked at me curiously. I gave her my most reassuring smile, hoping that she could see that everything would be alright.
“Is that the lazy man from the grocery store?”
My heart skipped a beat right then. I hadn’t actually expected her to remember Damian. There had been a lot of excitement that day with the new store and the different assortment of treats.
“We don’t call people that, Luna. But, yes, Damian is the man from the grocery store. You remember him?”
Luna’s face split into a wide grin, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me.
“I remember him, Mommy. I thought he seemed nice.”
Adriana clapped again, shoving a closed fist against her mouth, trying to contain herself.
“Well, look at that, Thalia. She already thinks he’s nice.”
I shot Adriana a warning look. I wanted to tell Luna the details on my own terms, not have my sister accidentally spill the beans.
“But he’s also lazy,” Luna muttered, giggling to herself before running to the kitchen counter.
I couldn’t help myself. I laughed, shaking my head and remembering the whole situation. I was grateful that my four-year-old was no withering flower.
“Oh, he has got his good points. Just like all of us, Luna.” Adriana and I shared some knowing looks.
Adriana left, and the rest of the evening was spent with Luna eating our favorite macaroni and cheese and snuggling on the couch.
My heart had never felt so content and full.
Chapter 20
Damian
“Ijustwantyouto know that these flowers… they’re for you.”My voice was booming throughout the studio. It was the first-ever official recording for Flowers, and it was time to get it done professionally. Jackson and I went in extra early today, even before daylight. I was thankful that he was up for it, telling me he was just psyched to see my creative juices flowing again.
Jackson was slowly bobbing his head along with the song as it progressed, and the way he added a couple of strings and a big orchestral set-up at the last chorus was a perfect touch. This was why I have been working with Jackson ever since my second album. He understood my vision, and he never tried to drown it out with his own. It was rare to find a producer like that in the music industry. You just needed someone to be on the same wavelength with. The creative process was finicky after all, but I was always confident that Jackson had my back.
“Man, I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but this is one of the best songs you've written in a while,” Jackson commented, still vibing with the admittedly slower production. “Like, I enjoyed your recent ventures into pop and electronic sounds and all of that, but sometimes, I feel like you were at your best in productions like this.”
And that was another thing that was great about Jackson. He was never afraid to give it to me straight.
“Thanks, man,” I replied, grinning widely as I ultimately felt that the song was ready to be put on the next album. “I still have no idea what to call this whole project, though. I feel likeFlowersdoesn’t really fully convey how I was feeling at the moment.”
Jackson stopped the track, turning around in his swivel chair to face me while I sat on the sofa. “Well, maybe we’ll find out after we do a couple more songs. I wonder when Thalia will get here.” He was talking and talking, but I couldn’t help but sport a wide smile when he mentioned her name. Since getting back to LA, we’d only been able to talk on a professional level.
I couldn’t even kiss her goodbye before she went home the night we arrived, but I just had to be patient.
“Yeah, well, we did get here way too early. Don’t worry, she’ll be here.” That was when I caught myself. My voice was entirely too…nice, for lack of a better word. Hell, I was about to get ants on this couch with how soft and saccharine I was talking about her, and Jackson definitely caught it in the tone of my voice.
He looked up almost instantaneously with the producer look gone, and now securely in best friend mode. I could have slapped him upside the head with that stunned smirk he had on his face. Damn producers are so tuned into tones.
“Oh shit, man,” he exclaimed, drawing the word out and jumping up from his chair. His multi-colored hoodie and neon-highlighter shoes looked like a blur of color and light as he didn’t even try to contain his reaction.
“Holy shit! You mean to tell me…youandThalia?” He ran an excited hand across his head. “You and Thalia? Are you fucking serious right now?” Jackson seemed in disbelief and I was very grateful we were in a soundproof space because he was kind of shouting. He was waving his finger at me. "No fucking wonder you wanted her to go with you, you dirty dog!" He was laughing and howling.
“I – I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice sounded thin in my ears and Jackson barked out a laugh at my refusal to confirm or deny. I couldn’t help it. It was another trick I’d learned throughout years of dealing with overzealous interviewers or paparazzi that completely lacked any boundaries.
