Assured (Soul Serenade #2)(21)

“Dinner’s ready,” she tells us. “Mia, your noodles look delicious,” she adds with a wink. I’m positive that’s her way of telling me that we won’t be eating Mia’s noodles.

“Let’s go munchkin. Time to eat some skettie.” I stand with Mia in my arms and carry her to the kitchen. Logan pulls out a booster seat from the pantry, and I raise my eyebrows in question.

She waves me off. “I like when Mia comes to visit.”

Nothing else is said as I get Mia set up in the chair beside mine and we settle in to eat. Mia drives the conversation. She has the full attention of all six of us.





The last two months have been crazy. Logan and Cassidy, the assistant to the band’s manager, Mr. Jones have been training me. Between the two of them, they have been giving me a crash course on all things in the music industry. I can now see why Kacen didn’t want all this pressure on his pregnant wife—holy shit, there’s a lot to do. The logistics alone are a nightmare. Cassidy assures us that she will be helping from the home office as well.

I’ve managed to avoid Cole and his sexiness. I see him in passing, but never allowing enough time for conversation or flirting. I may be telling him no, but he’s still the one starring in my dreams late at night. Bob, my battery operated boyfriend, and I have become close thanks to Cole Hampton.

“Are you all packed?” I ask Logan.

“Gah! No, I don’t even know how to pack for three months.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Kacen says not to worry about it, that we can buy anything we need. I’m just not used to this, you know?”

“I know, but he’s right. You’re going to need maternity clothes.” I wink.

“Yes.” She holds her arm out. “Pinch me.”

“What?” I laugh at her because she’s lost her damn mind.

“I said pinch me. Is this real? Is this really my life?”

“Yes and yes. Get used to it. That man is never letting you go.”

“Yeah.” She wears a blissful smile that I once again find myself envious of.

“Are you excited for the stop in Ohio?”

“I am. It will be nice to stay in our house there. Get a break from the bus.”

“This is either going to be the best or the worst three months of our lives.”

“I know. I worry, though. What if I hate it? Kacen will never tour again.”

“Just give it a fair shot. Besides, from what I understand, the guys all know this is what Kacen wants. If one wants out, they all do.”

She looks surprised. “You have a good informant.”

“Cole and I had dinner the night you offered me the job. He filled me in on what happens out on the road. That was a part of our conversation.”

“He still trying to get you into his bed?”

“He’s been quiet the last couple of months. My guess is because they’ve been rehearsing like crazy for the tour. Not to mention I’ve been nose-deep trying to learn the ropes.”

“He’s not one to give up easily.”

“I can hold him off. I’ve done it this long.”

“I don’t know, Stacy. Maybe you should give it a shot. You could be his game-changer.”

I throw my head back in laughter. “Cole Hampton doesn’t have a desire to change the game. He’s living the dream. From his lips to my ears,” I tell her.

“He’s just caught up in the routine. He needs something to mix it up, needs to see what he’s missing. Cole’s a great guy who just needs the right woman to keep him on his toes.”

“Let me guess, you think that woman is me?”

Logan smiles. “Maybe. You never know. You can try. Worst-case scenario, it doesn’t work out.”

“Heartbreak.”

“Yeah, but what’s that saying? ‘Better to have loved and lost than to never love at all.’”

“Says the girl who is blissfully married to her best friend.”

“You’re my best friend.”

“I am, but so is he, in a more intimate way.”

Her hands fall over her barely-there baby bump. “I’m having a baby.”

“You are. You’ll have, what? A month left by the time the tour is over?”

“Yes, Kacen is still freaking out about it. The doctor has assured him that it’s fine.”

“He’s going to be such a good daddy,” I gush.

“He is. He already has a crew on standby to start the nursery once we find out the sex.”

“I can’t wait to start shopping. I think we should pick something up in each city for Peanut.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” We both startle at Kacen’s words. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you. You all packed, baby?”

The three of us look at the pile of clothes still lying on the bed. “Uh . . . getting there,” Logan tells him.

“I can see that. The guys are all going to stay here tonight. The bus is supposed to be here at eight. Stacy, you might as well stay too. Grab your things and bring them over. That way, we all get a good night’s sleep and no one has to get up at the ass-crack of dawn.”

“I can do that. Thank you.” I finish folding the shirt in my hands. “I think I’ll head over. I have some packing to finish as well. I’ll be back in a few hours.”