“Then let me contact some bigger labels,” I blurt out.
“You?” He sits up. “Why would you contact them?”
I rub my thumb against my palm in a lame attempt to calm my racing heart. I’ve thought a lot about this, but this isn’t the way I wanted to start the conversation. I’d mostly just daydreamed about how I could stay close to Micah even after he gets super famous and becomes the singer-songwriter he’s meant to be. I know it will happen. It’s only a matter of when.
“I could… act like your manager.”
He squints at me. “Manager?”
“You know, negotiate contracts and take care of the business end of things while you write the songs and produce the music.”
“I know what a manager does. But why wouldyouwant to do that?”
I bite my lip. Yeah, stupid of me to want to be near Micah. I’ve just been in love with him for years. And he doesn’t even think of me as a woman. I shouldn’t want to. I should go get a real boyfriend. Someone who adores me and treats me likeMr. Darcy treats… Well, maybe not someone who thinks I’m barely tolerable. But Mr. Darcy adores Elizabeth by the end of the book. Someone like that.
I shake my head to snap myself out of my thoughts. “You need a manager. You’re only going to grow in popularity, and I know you’re nervous about negotiating contracts.”
He grabs a throw pillow and hugs it to his chest. “That’s not what I’m nervous about.”
I already know what his issues are. “I could deal with all the people for you,” I say quietly. “Then all you’d have to do is perform.”
He gives me a side-eye. “You’d do all the people things?”
I’m an introverted book nerd, but I can force myself to talk to people. Especially if it means I get to stay near Micah. “Yeah. I’d do all the people things.”
“Then I’m fine with you being my manager.” He slides his phone to me. “First, find out how these guys found me.”
“Okay. Do you care if I ask to see a contract?”
“I don’t care about that. I want to know how they found out my name and phone number first. Then you can find out contract terms. And do that thing where you contact bigger labels and stuff.”
I press my lips together to hide a smile. Micah does want to be a rock star. I knew it. “All right. I’ll do all that.”
“Okay then. You’re hired.”
“Good. How much will you pay me?”
He glares at me. “Wait, was this all a ploy to get at my money?”
“Yes,” I deadpan. “You’re going to be worth millions, and I want my share.”
He lets out a bark of a laugh. “Oh, you’re funny.”
I grin at him. “I am.”
He pokes me in the side, making me squirm away fromhim. “Don’t forget,” he says, “I know where you’re the most ticklish.”
My mouth drops open. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He peers at me through a strand of his long hair that has fallen into his face. “I totally would.”
For a split second, I think he’s joking, but then he pounces, and I scream. He straddles me, his fingers flying over my ribs and stomach. It tickles so much I can’t help the giggles that come out.
“You won’t get my millions!” he says, still poking my ribs.
“Stop!” I say between fits of laughter. I fight him, but he’s too strong, and he prevails.
“Say you’ll stay away from my millions.” His voice is high-pitched, and I know he thinks it’s hilarious that he could someday be a big-shot musician. I don’t think he knows how good he is.
