Dance With Me (With Me in Seattle #12)(4)

“Not awesome.”

“No, it kind of is. You need a break.”

I drive through the gate to my house and park in the garage.

“Why does everyone think they know what’s best for me? I don’t need to rest, I need to work.”

I grab my Hermes bag and climb out of the Mercedes, then have to brace myself against the side of the car when the dizziness returns.

“Oh, fuck.”

“Breathe,” she says soothingly. “Seriously, this is perfect timing. You just wrapped up the tour. No one expects you to jump back into another one after that. It’s been too many months of non-stop concerts.”

If I don’t work, I dwell. I don’t want to do that.

“What the hell am I supposed to do for three months?”

“Sleep. Write music. Shop. Go to the movies. Eat pizza. Should I continue?”

“Okay, so those things don’t sound so bad. Particularly the shopping.”

I set my bag on the kitchen counter and sit on a stool at the massive island. This house is ridiculously enormous, especially for just one person. I’ve never cooked in this kitchen.

I’m never here.

“I’m going to be so fucking bored.”

“I have the best idea ever,” she says. I can hear the excitement in her voice. “Come to Seattle. You can dance with Jax and me to stay in shape, and you’ll have us nearby. You don’t have anyone in LA. Not really.”

She’s not wrong, and I don’t know if I should be sad about that. I have acquaintances here, and a few friends, but no one that I trust the way I do Meredith and Jax.

“I love you, but I don’t want to live with you,” I reply with a laugh. “No offense.”

“None taken,” she says. “Jax and Logan just bought a house that looks over the Sound, near Natalie’s old place. I know Nat’s place is empty, and she’ll totally let you live there for a while.”

“Are you sure? That seems like a huge imposition.”

“No, it’s really not. That house sits empty most of the time unless someone in the family needs it. Whenever they think about selling, someone wants to use it. It’s like the Universe is against Nat selling it or something.”

“If she’s okay with it, that might be perfect. And it’s near Jax and Logan?”

“Yep, right up the street. And I’m only twenty minutes away. It’s perfect.”

“I don’t think I should drive up.” I nibble my lip. “Not while I’m dizzy like this.”

“I’m sure someone here has a car you can borrow.”

“Dude, I have more money than Midas. I could just buy one when I get there.”

“Fun! Car shopping.” I can hear the excitement in her voice, and it makes me excited, too. The thought of being close to her for several months isn’t a horrible thing.

“Go ahead and call Natalie, see if it’s available.” I bite my lip, thinking it over while I look around the big, white kitchen. “Why did I buy this huge house again?”

“Investment. And you have to have a home base,” she says. “Also, that closet. I could live in your damn closet.”

“Ah, yes,” I say with a smile. “The closet. Anyway, I have to call Donald and fill him in so he can get the word out that I won’t need the studio. And I hate to say it, but we have some shows to cancel.”

Donald is my manager, and will not be happy about this change in plans.

“I know you hate it. But, Star, it’s for the best.”

“If you say so.”



“Good God, you’ve been here for a week, and you’re already getting more deliveries than me,” Jax says as he walks inside the house in Seattle that Natalie is leasing to me while I’m on medical leave. Donald worked out all of the details for my recording and performance schedule, and I’m officially on an extended vacation.

The best part is, Jax and his husband Logan are right down the street. They come over often for dinner or breakfast or just to chat.

Jax carries two boxes stacked on top of each other, and Logan has two plastic bags full of Chipotle.

“I’m actually hungry,” I say as they join me in the dining room that looks out over the pool in the backyard. The house is gorgeous, and the view of the Sound from the upstairs is even better. I’ll be writing plenty of songs up there.

“So your office is sending up your fan mail?” Logan asks as he opens a box. Inside is a pile of letters and gifts.

“Yeah, they’re sending it once a week.” I pull a burrito out of the bag and take a big bite. I’ve eaten more since I’ve been here than I did a whole month on the road. I’m always hungry now, which is new for me.

It also means that I feel a few extra pounds making their way onto my frame. I need to get back to working out.

But whether I like to admit it or not, the dizziness is less frequent. So, maybe some time off and away from the chaos that is a pop star’s life is exactly what I needed.

“Okay, let’s read them,” Jax says as he reaches for an envelope. “Dear Starla, I’m your biggest fan ever. Dance With Me is my favorite song, and I sing it all the time to my kids.”

Jax looks up at me and bats his eyelashes. “Aww, so sweet.”