“No, not crazy. But concerning, yes. That’s why…” Hope pointed at the front door. “Just…talk to Dean. He’s the most level-headed guy Ryan knows. Is taking a security detail with you such a terrible idea? Lots of people do it.”
It wasn’t a terrible idea, but she really didn’t need it.
She took a long, slow breath in, then let it out. “I’m fine.”
“Are you going back?”
Damn Hope. Damn her for seeing right through the lies. “I’m fine,” she repeated.
“Okay. Well, I’m going to invite him in for a cup of coffee.”
“Please don’t.”
Hope’s forehead furrowed as she knitted her brows together. “I know I’m pushing you, but…”
But they didn’t have time for niceties.
Hope was just as much a professional as Liana was. She understood the timeline. And she understood Liana, too.Maybe better than I do myself.
“I thought for a second you were introducing us for a personal reason.”
“God, no.” Hope gave her a look of alarm. “I mean, you don’t need… but no. I wouldn’t, anyway, and definitely not when you show up so freaked out.”
Freaked out. An understatement if there ever was one. “I didn’t come here so you could fix this.”
“Is there something that needs fixing?”
She winced. She couldn’tlieto her friend. But she didn’t want to answer that question, either.
“Okay. Then he’s coming in for a cup of coffee.”
Liana could feel hot, splotchy patches of embarrassment creeping over her chest and up her neck. “Give me a few minutes,” she whispered, blinking back tears she’d thought she’d fought off successfully.
This wasn’t at all what she’d meant to make happen. But that was the thing about impulsive, emotional actions, wasn’t it? The chain reaction that spilled forth was entirely out of your control.
— —
He was halfwaythrough an are-you-fucking-serious text message to Zander when Hope opened the door and ushered him inside, apologizing profusely.
With a weak, worried laugh, she waved him into the kitchen. “Liana’s just gone upstairs for a few minutes. Let’s have a cup of coffee. If you’re still willing?”
Willing, yes. Skeptical that Liana wanted his help…absolutely. But this might be his new normal. He was in, no matter what.
“We’re willing and able.” He accepted the mug and sat on one of the barstools in her kitchen.
“I promise, she’s usually lovely.”
He had no doubt. He could still feel the tug in his gut from when she’d blinked up at him from under her thick eyelashes. Lovely was an understatement. It was also beside the point.
“So what’s going on that she’s—” He glanced around.Batshit crazywas probably the wrong thing to say. “Like that?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but she’s not herself,” Hope said quietly. “It doesn’t help that her ex is going to be at this concert. Track Gantley.”
The pieces were starting to come together. “They broke up quite a while ago, right?”
“Eight years ago. But they still have a professional relationship. It’s mostly handled through her manager and the staff at his label, but from time to time they need to be in the same place and that’s awkward. She’s usually more level about it. Something else is rattling her right now.”
He filed that away in his mind. “Okay. But he’s going to be at this concert.”
