“My contract is almost at an end with both Kevin and the label. I’ve fulfilled my obligations. I have new contract offers from both but I haven’t signed anything yet.” She shrugged and stood to stretch abused muscles. “That’s something else to worry about.”
“What do you want to do?”
Cassie chuckled, amused and impressed. “You’re the first person to ask me that.”
“Do you know?”
“I want to write new songs.”
“Genre?”
Cassie cocked her head, considering. “I have the urge to write more upbeat stuff. That part gels with Kevin, but I’m sick, sick,sickof syrupy-sweet ballads about cheating and broken hearts. Kevin wants the pop version of syrupy-sweet.”
“Would you like my opinion?”
“What?”
“You’ve already decided what you want to do but you’re scared of Kevin’s reaction.”
“How do you figure that?”
Emma stood. “Because you’re my best friend. I understand your thought processes almost as well as my own.”
Speechless, she gaped at Emma. “Kevin wants me to change up my image.”
“Wait.” Emma held up her hand. “Don’t tell me. He wants you to lose weight.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think about that part?”
“I’m tired of people commenting on my weight. I’ve always been big, but I do eat healthily, especially when I’m on the road. I exercise and my weight stays the same. I feel good. That’s what I told him. We argued about it.”
“I see.” Emma’s expression hit enigmatic, but Cassie understood her views on busybody know-it-alls.
“Kevin keeps leaving me messages. I’m not talking to him.”
“I see.”
Cassie scowled. “What do you see?”
Emma applauded, mischief illuminating her like a diva in a spotlight. “That you’re finally getting a set of balls.”
A snort escaped Cassie. It was true. She’d started standing up for herself with Kevin and not letting him steamroll right over her or rush her into decisions. A recent occurrence, and one that gave her a measure of pride. She should’ve found her backbone much earlier.
“What did your stars say?”
Cassie blushed. “I can’t believe you remembered I read my stars every day.”
“Nothing wrong with that. It’s a fun quirk.”
“Last month, the forecast that slipped into my inbox implied I had a big decision to make and I should trust my gut instincts. Later that day, Kevin hit me with his vision of my future. I said I’d consider it instead of agreeing.”
“Good for you.”
“Can you help me roll up this piece of carpet? It’s huge.”
“I’ll help,” a husky masculine voice said from behind her.
