Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal. Cat Schield
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And then she’d met Nate. Never in a million years could Mia have believed that someone as talented and charismatic as the lead singer of Free Fall would notice she existed, much less be attracted to her. He’d seen her as a distinct individual with interests and goals. That was pretty heady stuff. No wonder she’d tumbled head over heels for him. What woman with a pulse wouldn’t have?
Then the tour ended and the real world overcame the fantasy one she’d dwelled in for two months. She’d had no choice but to turn down his offer to go with him to Las Vegas. Nate had been so angry with her that last morning in Sydney. He’d accused her of leading him on. It struck her as impossible that a nobody like her could be anything more than a momentary distraction to someone as incredible as Nate Tucker.
Given all that he’d accomplished in the music industry, it amazed Mia that he was only thirty-one. An accomplished singer/songwriter and producer, he’d had six Grammy nominations for producing and won two. His band had been nominated for twenty-nine assorted awards and won eight, including several Grammys and an AMA award for favorite pop/rock band/duo/group.
“Are you okay?” he asked, peering at her.
They were still holding hands. Mia’s cheeks heated as she released her grip. “Sorry.” She took an awkward step back and bumped into one of the chairs surrounding the large oval conference table. “I was just thinking how lucky Ivy was for getting to work with you.”
The dimple flashing in Nate’s scruffy cheek vanished. “Mia, about what happened in Sydney—”
“You don’t need to go there,” Mia said, forcing lightness into her voice. “It was a crazy tour. So much fun. I won’t ever forget it.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“Please, Nate.” She longed to surrender to the intense glow in his eyes and fall into his arms. “You need to focus on Ivy. And so do I. She’s really freaked out about this new direction in her career. I told her you were the best producer in the business and that together you would make platinum.”
“I couldn’t care less about her or her album. I’m only doing this so I can spend more time with you.”
His words sent a spear of yearning through her, but Mia shook her head. “Don’t say that. Ivy needs this album to be great.” Maybe if she had a hit Ivy’s insecurity would stop consuming her, and Mia could begin to live her life far from her demanding twin.
“How long are you planning to keep on being her lackey? Don’t you want to be free to explore what makes you happy?”
“Of course.” And she would have that life if Ivy’s new project catapulted her into the big time. “And someday I’ll have that chance.”
“For your sake I hope someday is soon.” The intensity in Nate’s gaze made her shiver.
“I have to get going,” Mia said, although now that she’d seen Nate again, the last thing she wanted to do was leave. “You’ll text me the details about dinner tonight?”
“Yes.”
As Nate escorted Mia to the lobby, she noticed he didn’t touch her again.
“It was good seeing you,” she murmured awkwardly. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and declare how much she’d missed him. But that would only make the problems between them worse.
Mia maintained a firm grip on her impulses. The connection they’d share on tour had been packed up and put away with the instruments, lights and sound equipment. Sneaking around behind Ivy’s back had been necessary and exciting, but it wasn’t something Mia intended to do any longer.
While on tour Ivy had been distracted by the traveling, flirting with Free Fall’s single band members and blowing up social media for her fans. In Las Vegas, she would be completely focused on her music and on Nate. Mia wouldn’t have any opportunities for time alone with him.
Ever since Ivy learned that she was going to work with Nate, she’d been more agitated and demanding than Mia ever remembered her being. Mia wasn’t a fool. She understood why Ivy was so reluctant to give her space. Heaven forbid Mia would get a life and walk away.
After leaving Nate, Mia was halfway through the errands she was running for Ivy when her phone began to play Ivy’s latest hit, her special ring tone. Mia held off answering for several seconds. But she’d already ignored a bunch of Ivy’s texts, and her sister would have a fit if she didn’t pick up now.
“OMG. Where have you been? I’ve texted you, like, a dozen times.” Ivy’s voice poured from Mia’s smartphone, scattering her thoughts to the wind. Behind closed doors the sweetheart pop star became a demanding diva. “I’ve been dying to hear all about how excited Nate is that we’re working together.”
“Sorry I didn’t respond.” In fact, she’d been lost in thought and hadn’t heard the alerts. “Traffic was crazy and there was an accident...”
“If you were sitting in traffic you should have called.” Ivy barely gave that a second to sink in before continuing, “Whatever. Tell me. Tell me.”
“Of course he’s excited to be working with you.”
“What did he say exactly?”
“That you’re going to make the best album ever.” It was lame, but her sister would freak if Mia shared what Nate had actually said. “But listen, Ivy—”
Her sister’s squeal interrupted her. “I knew it. He is into me.”
“I’m sorry. What?” Mia almost rear-ended the car in front of her when the driver stopped abruptly to avoid hitting an SUV that cut him off.
“Nate. He’s into me.” Ivy sounded quite pleased with herself. “I told you how he was hitting on me on tour.”
“Nate hit on you?” Mia’s stomach clenched in dismay at Ivy’s words. “When was that?”
When it came to her sister, Mia was like one of Pavlov’s dogs. She panicked at the first sign that her sister was scheming. Ivy made an art form out of keeping the focus on her. Even before Ivy became famous she knew how to manipulate a situation to suit her and often Mia received the full brunt of the backlash. Since then Ivy had pulled several stunts to stay in the spotlight. Mia had learned to keep her head down.
“All the time. How did you not notice?”
“Sure. Of course.” Mia was glad her sister couldn’t see her expression.
“And I never told you, but that last night in Sydney...” She let the confession hang in the air to build suspense.
“What about it?”
“We were together.”
A curse shot from Mia before she could stop herself. “Sorry, I almost hit the car in front of me. This traffic is—”
“Whatever. Did you hear what I said?”
“About you being with Nate that last night in Sydney?” Mia was torn between a laugh and a groan. Good thing she’d already put her romance with Nate behind her. Now that Ivy had decided she wanted him, any hint that Mia had feelings for him would be disastrous.
“I should’ve told you.”
Mia’s voice was uncharacteristically sharp as she asked, “Why didn’t you?”
“You don’t need to be such a bitch. I’m sorry I didn’t say something sooner, but I wasn’t sure if what we had was going anywhere.”
“And now?” Mia turned into the parking structure closest to the stores she needed to hit.
“Ever since I found out he asked to work with me on my new album, I’ve been convinced what we have is the real deal.” Ivy sounded at the same time dreamy and triumphant. “When will you be getting back to the house?”
“I’m