“I can’t possibly—” I start, shaking my head, but Nat just smiles at me, putting a hand to my forearm.
“You’re going to hurt Wren’s feelings if you turn them down,” she says low.
“She’s not even here,” I say, looking around.
“Yeah, she has a meeting to help plan the summer festival. But that’s neither here nor there. She’ll find out you didn’t take them and then be offended.”
“So I just…accept it?”
She shrugs with a smile.
“Welcome to Holly Ridge, babe,” Hallie says. “Now let’s eat.”
Two hours later, I’m full of pizza, salad, and some of the best garlic knots I’ve ever had in my life, and the little cabin is completely decorated. The walls are covered with various art pieces and prints, and they even helped me hang the big moodboard I made for the album, which I felt was imperative for getting inspired.
I love it. Every single inch of it.
It’s not necessarily what I ever thought would be my style, but the truth is, I’m not even sure what my styleis. Maybe this mish-mash could be me.
“Thank you, guys, for this,” I say, looking around in awe, my heart full from their generosity.
“Are you kidding me? This was a blast!” Nat says with a grin.
“Nat loves any excuse to take over and give people some kind of style,” Hallie says, and Nat rolls her eyes.
“You say it like it’s a crime.”
Hallie just shrugs, neither confirming nor denying the accusation, and I smile at them. But even as I do, an ache burns in my chest.
I’ve never had a group of girlfriends who tease and joke and drop everything to help one another. I’ve read about it, and I’ve acted it out, and I’ve even pretended to be part of a celebrity girl gang a time or two, but I’ve never actuallyhadit.
I’m lost in those thoughts when Nat reaches out, fingers grazing the strands of my hair, a thoughtful look on her face. “You know, you’d look good with some low lights. I’ve always thought that, but now that I see you in person, I can’t stop thinking it.” I reach up for a lock of my hair, pull it forward, and look at it before giving her a thoughtful look, and her face goes nervous. “Not that I’m saying your hair isn’t gorgeous, of course. I just… Fuck, I’m an ass. You have a lot of people to deal with, and I’m just a small-town hair stylist, I?—”
“No,” I say with a shake of my head, the smile spreading across my lips. With that, Nat’s nervousness fades a bit. “No, you’re not out of line or anything. I agree. My natural hair color is closer to a dirty blonde than this.” I grab a few locks and pull them in front of me, inspecting the too-blonde strands. A widegrin spreads across Nat’s lips. “My mom’s hair has been a darker blonde most of my life, but they’ve been keeping it light since I was a kid, and I’ve kind of just leaned into it.”
“We should do a spa day, give you some low lights, freshen it up. I mean, if you’re here for a while, you’re definitely going to need something, you know?” I sigh, knowing that’s not an option.
“I’m pretty sure dyeing my hair doesn’t fall into the strict instructions Leo gave me.”
Hallie raises an eyebrow, the words clearly piquing her interest.
“Instructions?”
“He told me to stay out of trouble while I was here so he wouldn’t have to deal with me.” Her eyes widen, and without meaning to, I continue ranting. “Which is bullshit because it’s not like I evergetinto trouble. Like, ever. I don’t do anything that isn’t for my tour or for promo. WhenwouldI get in trouble? With all of my free time?”
“Why would he say that?” Hallie asks, annoyed on my behalf.
I groan and sink back, the familiar irritation rising once more
“Who knows, but it’s so annoying. I came here because I need tostay outof the spotlight. Not to mention, throughout my entire life, I’ve worked to maintain my image. America’s sweetheart can’tget into trouble. I have sacrificed everything to build that. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?”
“Is that why he looked like he was constipated the entire time he and the guys were here?” Hallie asks. I shrug.
“I guess. He’s mad I’m here. Did youseehim pull me aside when he got here?” I ask, still annoyed, and Hallie nods. “He’s acting like he’s my dad or something, like he needs to keep me in line. All I’ve ever done is stay in line!”
“It’s a bummer he’s kind of a grumpy asshole. He’s pretty hot,” Nat says. “Kind of like if you mixed Madden and Jesse’s style and got the perfect mix of both.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Hallie says. “When he was here for the festival, he was all button-down shirt tucked into slacks, which sounds out of place here, but on him it worked. But since he’s been here, he’s all dressed down, working man. Hot.”
