were in the
process of setting up lights. In a few minutes, the interview would start. At least it wasn’t live.
“You don’t have to be involved,” Robin said.
He’d clearly picked up on my agitation. Everyone in the room must have.
“Charlie’s the one everyone cares about,” Robin went on. “Most people don’t even remember who Austin Steele
was.”
“Robin,” Charlie said in a warning tone.
“It’s true,” Robin grumbled.
“I remember you,” Beau said, holding his hand out to shake mine. “JJ and I walked down the aisle to ‘Kiss Me’.
Great song. Timeless.”
I wasn’t sure “Kiss Me” was all that great, but I wasn’t going to turn down the compliment.
“If you’re not comfortable being part of the interview, feel free to sit it out and watch. But I promise I won’t bite.”
I forced myself to smile. I wanted to support Charlie, but it had been a long time since I’d been the focus of an
interview. I’d fielded the media in my role as Jesse’s manager, answering their questions, telling them—politely—
to fuck off, but they hadn’t been interested in me at all. It felt weird that after twenty-five years, my name would
suddenly be on everyone’s lips again. I wished I shared Charlie’s conviction that the majority of people would be
accepting of our relationship, but I’d been burnt too badly by the media before.
“I can fly solo,” Charlie said, slipping under my arm so he could cuddle me. “I don’t mind.”
I cupped his cheek in my hand and stared into his eyes. I’d never get over how beautiful they were. “I don’t
deserve you.”
Charlie blushed. “Yeah, you do. You’re my jerk, and I’m your divo. We’re a match made in the stars, remember?”
He winked at me and tugged the ring on the chain out from under his T-shirt. “After this interview airs later tonight,
I’ll be able to wear your ring on my finger.”
Warmth blossomed in my chest. I leant close so I could kiss him. It was nothing more than a lingering peck on
the lips, a promise of the kisses that would come when we were alone and had the energy to reconnect on a
physical and emotional level.
“Charlie,” Robin said, motioning him away from Beau and me.
Charlie narrowed his eyes, threaded his fingers through mine, and tugged me with him. Robin had stopped at the
window. He pressed his lips together as he stared at me and then sighed heavily as though resigning himself to
the fact that Charlie wasn’t going to talk to him without me in earshot.
“It’s not too late to change your mind,” Robin said. “Beau has a number of questions to ask you about your
album, your tour, working with Jesse. You don’t have to talk about whether you’re in a relationship at all.”
“I want to,” Charlie said firmly.
Robin thatched his fingers together and tapped them against his lips. “Charlie…”
“It’s not up for debate,” Charlie snapped. “I want to be with Austin. I don’t intend to hide our relationship a moment
longer. Deal with it.”
“You know Flannigan wasn’t joking, don’t you?” Robin asked. He sounded a little desperate.
“Joking about what?” I asked.
“You haven’t told him?” Robin asked Charlie. He lifted his eyebrows, and something calculating passed through
his eyes. He turned to me. “Flannigan is going to delay work on a new album for Charlie until the dust has settled
on your announcement,” he informed me.
“And if the sales are lacklustre, he’ll drop me,” Charlie picked up in a sarcastic tone.
I squeezed Charlie’s hand. “I wish you’d told me.”
“I haven’t had a chance. Besides, it doesn’t change anything.” He pulled me around to face him. “It was a threat
to convince me to keep us secret, but that’s not an option, Austin. I love you. Now, always, and unashamedly.”
My chin quivered as a mixture of emotions cascaded through me. Charlie was braver than I would ever be. To be
worthy of him, I had to be courageous enough to sit beside him and answer a few of Beau Jordan’s questions.
“Let’s tell the world,” I said.
Charlie’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure? I really can do the interview alone.”
“You shouldn’t have to. We’re a couple.”
“We should get T-shirts made,” Charlie said. “That say ‘Unashamedly Us’ right across the chest.” He motioned
the placement of the words with his hand before kissing my jaw. “Or you could just write me a song.” He tilted his
face up until his lips were brushing against my lips. “I’m getting out of my contract with Phoenix when the tour’s
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