by Tabitha Bree
“And those little pastry things are ready to come out of the oven?” he asks, trying and failing to act chilled out.
“Who am I, Martha Stewart? Do I look like some kind of domestic goddess to you?”
He grins, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Well, a regular goddess at least.”
I curl my hands around his neck and press my lips against his, the same way I’ve been doing every day for the last two months. It’s not a bad routine to be in.
“Ugh, they’ve already started,” Adam says, coming through the front door with a six-pack of beers.
I snort. “Like you two were any better.”
He throws a tabloid magazine on the coffee table. “I can guarantee we were more discreet than you two. Have you seen this shit?”
I crane my neck and read the headline.
Bad boy no more—stripped down and loved up.
Behind it is a picture of me and Xavier getting gelato in Santa Monica, arms wrapped around each other, huge grins on our faces as we look into each other’s eyes. Evie swans in, immune to the cringe of public displays of affection, and gazes at the magazine. “Don’t you just love, love?” She weaves an arm around Adam’s neck and pulls him in so she can kiss his cheek while he scrunches his face.
“Adam is right. We are all sickening,” I admit.
Everyone laughs and we keep setting up the outdoor dining space. Xavier’s house is insane for entertaining, and today we’re having a barbecue. It’s no longer barbecue season. But like Adam says, you can dine alfresco any month of the year in LA.
“When is the guest of honor arriving?” Evie asks.
“Don’t remind him.” I do side eyes at Xavier. “He’s already freaking out enough as it is.”
“Freaking out is a bit of an exaggeration,” he grunts.
“Really? So that was someone else who changed their outfit three times this morning?”
He sighs. “I just want this arrangement to go better than the last.”
Xavier has found a new manager, a woman named Ruth who knows everyone in the alternative music scene, and every label Xavier has his eye on. He has a big enough following that he could release music independently if he wanted to, but Ruth seems like a dream manager—down to earth, no bullshit, and most importantly, she thinks with her head and not her crotch. She is already miles better than Mike Mathers.
I slide my thumb over Xavier’s cheek. “Everything will be better than last time, promise.” I wink at him and he smiles, turning his head to kiss my hand.
We bring bowls outside filled with greens, potato salad and coleslaw. In true Evie form, she has even baked a batch of mini cupcakes with tiny music notes piped on top.
“Now this is a domestic goddess,” I say, picking up one of the cupcakes and inspecting the little treble clef.
“Adam told me he didn’t have a sweet tooth before we got together,” Evie says, pulling a face. “That didn’t last long.”
“And it shows,” Adam says, patting his stomach. “Are you guys on track to wrap Legends of the Sea next week?” He rolls up his sleeves to help Xavier with the grill.
“Yep. I still can’t believe we’re almost done,” I say. “It still feels like only yesterday that this one was swinging around his sword and giving people blood noses.” I jerk my head to Xavier, who just grins, shaking his head.
“Luckily you’ve come to your senses and realized what a catch I am since then,” he says. “Now I’m your favorite person on set.”
“Maybe. It’s a close call between you and the craft service guy.”
“I come baring guacamole!” Jack announces, walking across the yard with Benson at her heels.
“Scratch that, Jack is definitely my favorite person.”
I take the dip off her hands and scoop into it with a giant tortilla chip.
“I put extra cilantro in there, just how you like it.” She winks at me.
Ever since she helped me with my grand serenade at the open mic night, Jack and I have spent tons of time together and gotten to know each other. We are so similar. I can tell why she and Xavier are such great friends. She’s exactly what I imagine the perfect sister-in-law would look like.
Not that my mind is going there.
But maybe one day.
Not long after Xavier decided to stay in LA, we took a trip north to see his dad. Keith was lovely… soft and kind, just like his son. He showed me old videos of Xavier in nappies and playing a toy guitar as a little kid. When I told Keith we would start coming up for monthly visits, Xavier weaved his hand through mine, squeezing my fingers as his dad said, “I’d really love that.”
Soon Sadie and Vik arrive and we’re all sitting around the table, talking about life, work, and what’s next in everyone’s plans. Vik is taking a holiday with his wife, a surprise for their wedding anniversary. Adam is going to work on an indie short film, while Evie is still burning the midnight oil working for Nolan Smith. But they both seem the most excited about a scruffy rescue cat named Nigel they’re picking up next week. Jack has a huge commissioned piece of artwork that will take three months to complete, and Sadie has a bunch of auditions lined up so she can hopefully ride the high after Legends of the Sea. If the casting directors know what’s good for them, they’ll snatch her up without a second callback.
“And what about you? You must be dying with excitement for your next job!” Sadie says with bright eyes.
Dying with excitement is an understatement. I’m so thrilled to be working on Katherine’s next film, I can barely stop myself from talking about it. The novel the film is based on has already won a ton of awards. And Katherine thinks the film could be a real Academy contender.
“She’s like a kid on Christmas morning,” Xavier answers for me. “Watch this space, this girl will be directing a film you’re working on one day.”
“I have no doubt about that.” Adam nods his head, my friend and original grumpy mentor.
I hear footsteps down the path and turn to see Ruth, looking every part the trendy music manager in heeled boots and ripped jeans.
“That is quite the party,” she says when she sees the crowd.
Xavier turns, and I can immediately see the nerves in his eyes.
“Which is quite fitting, really. Do we have champagne?” she asks.
“We do,” I say, frowning with suspicion and pulling a bottle from the outdoor fridge. “What’s the occasion?”
Xavier is still staring at Ruth, his chest heaving.
“Well, I might as well lead with it. I showed them ‘So be Mine’. Oasis Records want to sign you. You got your first choice.”
Xavier’s mouth drops. “And they’re up for it? They like the new acoustic sound? No more black leather?”
Ruth laughs. “Only when you want to.”
“Secretly, I think you look hot in the leather,” I say, kissing Xavier on the cheek.
Sadie goes around filling red cups with champagne and passing them around while the others cheer and pat Xavier on the back. I take my cup and lift it into the air. “Congratulations on the rebrand and the label. You did it, babe, you reinvented yourself. To Xavier.”
Everyone else raises their cups, but then Xavier holds his hand in the air.
“Nothing would have happened without you. You inspire me every fucking day. You’re incredible.”
I poke my lip out, giving him the ‘I love you’ eyes, which we have perfected over the last couple of months.
“Okay, okay, let’s just agree that you’re both great and talented,” Jack cuts in. “To Dee and Xavier making it, let’s drink!”
We all laugh and tap our cups together. And as I look around at the smiling group of people, I know I’ve already made it.
Keep Reading
It’s Sadie’s dream role, but there’s only one problem…
She’s starring opposite her ex-boyfriend.
COMING SOON
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Also b
y Tabitha Bree
Hollywood Heartthrobs
The Last Take (Book 1)
Seeking Series
Seeking a Plus One (Book 1)
Seeking Mr. Right (Book 2)
Seeking Forever (Book 3)
Standalones
Rules of a Breakup
About the Author
Tabitha Bree is an author, crafter, and sometimes yoga instructor based in Melbourne, Australia. A long-time fan of romantic comedies, she is happiest (and most neurotic) when creating worlds for her fictional lovers to frolic in.
If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews are life and are very much appreciated!
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Acknowledgments
I just had so much fun bringing Dee and Xavier to life, I really have a soft spot for these two crazy kids. Thank you for joining me on another adventure of banter, laughs, and a wee bit of steam!
Please let me know what you think in a review. While I crawl through the next books in the Hollywood Heartthrobs series, I love reading your feedback on the books already out. It keeps the fuel in my tank!
You’re all aces xx
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © Tabitha Bree 2022
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organizations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.
Cover design by Tabitha Bree