“Me?” I sit up straight.
“Yep. I called in a favor.”
My brows knit together. “What kind of favor?”
“Let’s just say Bianca owes me—big time.” Harmony grins like a cat who has cornered a mouse. “And now you’re her new assistant, which means you’ll be decorating Axel’s home for the Christmas party.”
My heart starts to pound.
Harmony’s practically glowing. “It’s the perfect setup. You’ll be in his house. You can get the inside scoop on why he split from the band. This could be hugefor us. I’m talking front-page exclusive huge.” She splays a hand across the air.
I swallow, trying to process it all. “What if Axel recognizes me? We had band together, and I was friends with his little sister Cassie.” Harmony thinks my fixation with Axel came about because we grew up in the same town. Thankfully, she doesn’t know my dirty little secret. If Axel recognizes me and puts two and two together … it’s over.
“That’s highly unlikely. You look completely different now.”
“How do you know?” I harrumph. “We graduated five years apart.”
She lifts her chin. “I’ve seen pictures.”
Thank goodness I look different now. I hate thinking about that awkward, skinny girl with frizzy hair, coke-bottle glasses, and a metal mouth. “You know,” I hedge. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. There has to be another way to get the story.”
The corners of her glossy lips turn down. “There’s not. I thought you’d be jumping for joy. What’s wrong with you? Even if Axel does happen to recognize you, he won’t know that you’re Jovie Chord. He’ll think you’re a decorator’s assistant.”
“Won’t he think it’s strange that I just happen to be in Nashville?”
“No, not really. People move to new places all the time. It’ll be a happy coincidence. And that’s if he even recognizes you, which I highly doubt.”
“It’s just—with Christmas coming up, there’s a lot going on. My mom’s in charge of the town benefit for the hurricane victims. You know what a big deal that is for everyone in Mt. Pleasant. I promised to help.” Harmony’s also from Mt. Pleasant. She knows how hard Hurricane Michael hit our little town.
She waves a hand. “Of course I know how important the benefit is … but you still have to work, like the rest of us. The sooner you get in and get the story, the faster you can go and help with the benefit.”
Before I can launch a rebuttal, she holds up a hand. “Look, the bottom line here is that you’re being handed the opportunity of a lifetime. Think about all the work you’ve put in to get this far. This could be huge—a Jovie Chordexclusive. And I’m handing it to you on a silver platter. All you have to do is sayyes.” She pins me with a look that makes me feel like a cornered rabbit.
“Fine,” I mutter. “So I’m supposed to decorate?”
“Yeah.” She waves a manicured hand like it’s nothing. “Evidently, Zoe has a thing for live trees. Bianca said they’ve shipped in over a dozen, and they all need decorating.”
“I’m not any good at decorating.”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. How hard is it to string on a few lights? All you have to do is follow Bianca’s lead. You’ll be fine.”
I let out a long breath, knowing how this will end regardless of how much I fuss. Back in high school, Harmony was a cheerleader … not what I would’ve called manager material. However, as it turns out, she’s quite good at getting people to do what she wants. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
“Good.” She slaps her palm on the desk. “That’s what I like to hear. I’m looking forward to getting the full report.”
“When do I leave?”
“This afternoon. I already booked your ticket. First class. You’ll report to Axel’s house first thing in the morning.”
“Wait—what?”
“Relax. I got you an extended hotel, a rental car, and sent your number to Bianca. She’ll call you with the details.”
“I can hardly wait,” I say dryly.
“Mock all you want, but you’ll thank me when this is over and everyone’s singing Jovie’s praises.” Harmony throws me a sugary smile before sashaying back to her desk, leaving a trail of sophisticated perfume in her wake.
Chapter
