Say You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,62

I’m not sure what happens after the tour starts.”

He cupped my face with both hands. “We’ll figure it out, okay? I’m sure of it. But the first thing we should do is go public.”

“Public?” I asked slowly.

“Yes. If we let ourselves be seen and photographed together on purpose, we’ll be in a better position to control the narrative the press spins, because the information will come from us. And once we’re no longer trying to hide from them, they’ll lose interest. I can’t explain it, but I’ve seen it happen.”

“Do you think they’ll pop up in front of my practice more? I’m trying to guess what the repercussions might be.”

“It’s hard to tell. I think they might stalk the place for a bit. You’ll need security, and it would make me happy if you’d let Paul drive you around everywhere.”

I nodded. “Sure. That sounds like the smart thing to do.”

He’d been driving me around most of the time anyway since the first photos were leaked. Sasha had insisted I not use public transportation again, just Uber everywhere and send her all the bills. Honestly, I couldn’t wrap my mind around all the repercussions, but I knew I had to brace myself for everything, and I was ready to do it. I’d do anything if it meant I could have Brayden in my life.

“When do you think we should do it?” I asked.

“I spoke to Sasha, and she thinks the upcoming promo party for the album is a good moment for us to go public.”

“You think this is the right time?” I said. He’d mentioned the party a few times, but I didn’t remember anything except that it was this Friday.

He nodded. “The press is speculating, and it’s best if we go forward. Knowing how they operate, they might actually get off your back once it’s official. Speculations always attract more attention than declarations.”

His voice still had an edge I didn’t like, like maybe he thought I didn’t want this. But how could he think that?

I put my palms on his shoulders, kissing the corner of his mouth.

“Let’s do it. You want to brag about me, Mr. Clarke?”

“That too. But I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

“Oh, I see. You want to stake your claim publicly.”

Lust flashed in his eyes. “Publicly, privately. Any way there is. And anywhere.”

He feathered two fingers over my mouth before skimming them down my neck.

“I see. Bedrooms are so passé, right, when we have rehearsal rooms and barns to try out, huh?”

“Don’t forget office desks.”

“Oh? Which one?” I asked in a fake tone of confusion.

He patted the wooden surface next to my hip.

“You’re changing me, Clarke,” I said in a teasing tone. “All my life I lived by the motto ‘fries before guys,’ and yet here I am, melting for you.”

I was falling in love with a rock star.

Chapter Nineteen

Isabelle

Sasha insisted I needed professional preparation for the event. As a result, I rescheduled my clients’ appointments. Brayden’s spare bedroom had been transformed into a beauty parlor for the day when the team of professionals arrived at one o’clock: hair and makeup artists and a nail artist!

I’d honestly assumed I was only going to have my hair and makeup done, but I wasn’t going to say no to pampering. This whole day I felt like I was undergoing one of those “ugly duck to beauty queen” transformations you only saw in movies.

I was a little nervous about tonight. I’d been to a few fancy events, like the Ballroom Galas the Winchesters organized for charity, but those were different. For one, there wasn’t much press. More importantly though, no one paid attention to me.

“Hey, if Brayden wants to come in, just keep him out, okay?”

Toni, the hairdresser, nodded efficiently. “Of course. He’ll only get to see you when you’re ready.”

I wanted to keep him on his toes. Besides, the wow-effect only worked if you saw the whole package, not interim steps.

During the beautification process, I kept texting with Josie. Sis was feeling a little down because she and Sophie weren’t sleeping much lately, and I felt guilty that I couldn’t go over for a girly evening. But I texted Skye, Laney, and Tess, keeping my fingers crossed that one of them could pop over.

I was proud of Brayden for only opening the door once during my ninety-minute massage. I was even prouder of the team, who flanked the door so he couldn’t see inside at all.

“This is ridiculous,” he mumbled.

I barely stifled a laugh, only letting it out