He shrugs.
“More like all the little teeny boppers are watching it a million times and wishing they were me. Listening to your dreamy voice. Pretending to be the girl you take on the perfect date.”
“I don’t care who watches it or what they’re dreaming about. I think this song is going to be a big deal for us.”
“It’s going to be huge for Riley too. I can’t believe how he can take all those pieces and put them together to tell a story.”
“It’s very fresh and fun. The band is pumped. Did you have fun last night—at the party?”
“Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Aiden made me promise to kiss him at midnight next year, though.”
“Peyton said the same thing. It was probably a good lesson for us. Never to get so wrapped up in our public personalities that we forget the moments that matter with the people we care about.”
“If it weren’t for Vincent, I would have said yes but made sure our dates were close by so we could have kissed them.”
“Yeah, I thought about that too.”
“So, we’re not really stupid. I’m hoping between the video being kinda sexy, being seen out with Knox last week, and then being seen kissing you on New Year’s Eve that Vincent is starting to hate me.”
“He didn’t seem mad when he texted you. You said he’s smart. I think he knows you’re playing him.”
“I just need for him to be distracted trying to find me and not messing with people like B.”
“Do you really think B was in danger? Sounds like maybe Vincent just wanted to talk to you.”
“He tried to have my grandma run off the road.”
“I know. I just wondered if he meant to scare her or if he really wanted to hurt her.”
“For now, I think he’s trying to scare me.”
“Is it working?”
“Yeah, it is. Damian, once I take over his company, I’m going back home to face him.”
Cooper, who’s been quiet for most of our walk, chimes in. “No, you’re not.”
“I’d have to agree with Cooper,” Damian says.
“On that note, let’s head back.”
We take Kiki back to the Moran apartment and then carefully work our way back to the loft.
I’m just getting ready to take a nap when Tommy calls again.
“So, the meeting with Moffet went well. He saw the article about you and Knox, the music video, and the number of hits it’s gotten. He wants to strike while the iron is hot and officially announce your role in the movie. He’s having a press release drafted for tomorrow. Are you ready for that?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“What do Garrett and Cooper think?”
“They’re on board,” I say, although I highly doubt they are. I don’t want to lie to Tommy, so I add, “And there isn’t much we can do about it if they’re not.”
“Unless you want to rethink the role. It’s not too late to back out, Keatyn. You haven’t even signed the contract yet.”
“No, but we verbally agreed to the terms. I’m not going to renege on that. I’d never get another job.”
“I’m more worried about your safety.”
“I’d rather try to stay safe being in the public eye than in hiding. I’m not doing it anymore. I told you that. We’ll just have to leave it to the experts. Plus, if he’s focused on me instead of trying to get me to come out of hiding, I’m hoping it will mean everyone around me will be safer. Does that make sense?”
“It’s sort of the opposite of what Garrett originally told us.”
“It is. But that’s not his fault. He did what he thought was right at the time. And I agree that it was. It just isn’t now.”
“So, forgetting about all the Vincent stuff, this is still a big deal. You’re creating the perfect publicity storm. The studio is thrilled. Moffet himself wants to talk to you and Knox about continuing the franchise.”
“Really? That’s awesome! Knox said he thought that might happen, but I sort of thought it was just wishful thinking.”
“No way, baby. You’re going to be a star, just like your mom.”
“Tommy, I can only hope to be half as successful as Mom.”
“I thought you were going to say you don’t want to be like her.”
“I probably would have a few months ago. I didn’t want to be compared to her. I didn’t think I could handle the comparison. But, now, I hope I can. I’m gonna let you go. I need some sleep.”
I wake up to the loft’s phone ringing again.
“Hello?” I answer groggily.
“Guess what, Hotshot?” Grandpa says.
“What?”
“We did it. The last investor called. Apparently, he had lunch with Vincent today and wasn’t happy with the way things went. He didn’t elaborate. Just asked if our offer still stood. I should have lowballed him at that point, but I didn’t. The company is yours. Shall we schedule a meeting for tomorrow morning, so that Mr. Sharpe can get fired by the new owner?”