if I never get to sing in the spotlight again … well, at least I can say I tried. And I can get into some other aspect of the business—management, representation, concert promotion. Something will work out.
Gathering my courage, I knock on Jonathan’s door before letting myself in. He looks up from his tablet in surprise at my entrance.
“Hey, Colt.” He sets aside his tablet and looks at me expectantly. “I didn’t expect you for another fifteen minutes or so. Is everything alright?”
I settle into the armchair, my usual place when we’re meeting just the two of us. “Everything’s fine. I just wanted to discuss a new development with you before everything gets started for the day.”
Gabby’s sly voice comes from behind me. “This new development wouldn’t have anything to do with the pictures of you and Alexis Lovell that I’ve seen all over the place. First there was a lot of speculation, but according to something I just read, her people have confirmed that the two of you are in a relationship?” She steps past me to join Jonathan on the couch. He’s still looking at me expectantly, his eyebrows high on his forehead as he waits for me to fill in the blanks.
He wraps his arm around her casually, and she settles against him, the perfect couple.
Will Alexis and I ever get that comfortable together? Will people think we look like the perfect couple? That’s how the press refers to Jonathan and Gabby. Sure, they tore into her for a while, and she still gets digs from time to time, but that’s just life in the public eye. Mostly, they’re America’s sweethearts.
But no. Realistically, Alexis and I won’t ever be that comfortable with each other. Ours is a business arrangement. Sure, we have chemistry. But I’ve had chemistry with plenty of women in the past. And where are they now? Doing their own thing, somewhere else.
I clear my throat and nod. “Yes, actually. It does.”
Gabby squeals and bounces in her seat. “I knew it! The minute I heard you coming in, I knew you were here to talk about this. How could you not be? It’s all over the internet. You’d know we’d be full of questions.”
Jonathan gives her an indulgent look. “At least he’d know you are full of questions.”
She pushes on his chest. “Please. Like you’re not dying to know too.”
Lifting one shoulder in a noncommittal shrug, he neither agrees nor disagrees. But he does turn his attention back to me. “How exactly will this new development affect things here?”
“Well …” I’m hesitating. Why am I hesitating? Jonathan won’t be mad at me. He had to know this day was coming sooner or later. Right? Right.
I close my mouth and clear my throat again. “Things between Alexis and me are getting serious. Serious enough that I won’t be able to tour with you anymore. I’ll stay with you through the show in Chicago, and then I’ll be joining Alexis permanently.”
Gabby gasps, one hand covering her mouth. Jonathan gives me a long look, full of speculation.
“Wow,” Gabby breathes, her hand dropping to her chest. “I had no idea you were even seeing anyone. When did this happen? How did you meet? How come none of us knew about this?” She looks at Jonathan, her brows furrowing. “Wait. Did you know about this?”
He shakes his head slowly, his eyes never leaving me. “No. I had no idea Colt even knew Alexis Lovell.”
I offer a careless shrug. “I meet people in all kinds of places.”
“Yes, yes.” Gabby waves away my non answer. “But when did you meet her? Where? When did it turn into a relationship?” She puts her hand over her heart again, the picture of a hopeless romantic. “Was it love at first sight? Did you know she was the one right away?”
I can’t help laughing, partly because who actually believes in love at first sight anyway? And partly because, in a way, it did happen that quickly. But I can’t tell them that I just met her last night for the first time, or that this whole thing is a ploy, a stepping stone into my own solo career.
Even if we do end up getting married, once we’re both established, we can divorce. It happens all the time. No one will even bat an eye by then. A year, two, five tops. I’ve survived being Jonathan’s PA for that long. Somehow I think working with Alexis will be a lot more enjoyable.