Dance With Me (With Me in Seattle #12)(44)

Or, if they don’t, I’ll just rent a suite at a hotel for the interview. Either way, it’ll work out.

I knock on the door, and Natalie answers it, holding a baby on her shoulder.

“Hey, Starla, come on in.”

“Thanks.” I close the door behind me and follow Nat to the large living room off the kitchen.

“Livvy’s in school, and the others are napping. I just finished feeding this little one, and she should be asleep soon.”

“Can I hold her?”

Nat looks at me in surprise but then smiles. “Of course, you can.”

She carefully lays the sleepy baby in my arms, and I sit in the rocking chair, looking down into green eyes. The girl’s little fist closes around one of my fingers, as sure as if it was directly around my heart.

“Oh, you’re a charmer, aren’t you?”

“Just like her mama,” Luke confirms as he walks into the room and scoops his wife into his arms, planting a passionate kiss on her. We’re all used to Luke’s blatant affection for his wife.

The baby’s eyes are heavy, and as I rock her back and forth, she falls asleep, still gripping onto my finger.

“She’s out,” I whisper. “Is it okay if we still talk?”

“Of course,” Nat says in her normal voice. “If we had to be perfectly quiet during every nap time, I’d never get anything done. She won’t wake up. What’s going on?”

“I need to run something by you.” I brush my fingertips over the baby’s soft hair. “I got a call from my manager last night.”

I tell them about the phone call, and my reluctance to go to LA right now.

“Levi thinks I’m being followed, and I’m not convinced he’s wrong. I mean, I don’t think someone can follow me twenty-four-seven, but they have taken photos of me while out with friends. He has the cops watching me all the time. In fact, one of his officers drove me over here because I’m not supposed to be alone.”

I look up, mortified. “Oh my gosh. I promise you, I haven’t brought anything bad to your home. I swear, I don’t think they’re really following me all the time.”

“This place has more security than Fort Knox,” Natalie assures me.

“Are you asking if you can hold the interview at Nat’s place?” Luke asks with a frown.

“Yeah. I am. And I know about your intense need for privacy, so if the answer’s no, that’s okay. Honest. I can rent out the penthouse at a hotel or something.”

Nat and Luke exchange a glance. Natalie smiles in that serene way she has that never fails to put someone at ease.

“I don’t have an issue with it as long as it’s stated on-air that you’re vacationing at the time of the interview, and no identifying images of the house are used,” Luke says. “No shots of the front of the house.”

“That won’t be a problem.” I smile down at the baby. “I would never do anything to hurt your family.”

“We know,” Nat says. “It’ll be great. It’s exciting that they want to interview you.”

“I’m not sure why they do,” I reply honestly. “Frankly, I’m not in the middle of a tour, I don’t have a record dropping anytime soon. Hell, I’m not even in the studio. Although, I have some songs finished that I’d love to record, and I’m thinking of asking Leo if I can use his studio.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’d let you,” Nat says. “They’re home for a while now. You should call Sam.”

I stare at her and then laugh, trying not to be too loud so I don’t wake the baby. “You do remember that there was that one time, back in the day, that Leo and I saw each other naked, right? I don’t think Sam likes that, and I can’t say that I blame her.”

“Do you plan to be naked with him now?”

I hold Luke’s gaze with my own. I know he’s intensely protective of his sister, as it should be. “Of course, not. I have a feeling that Levi will be the last person to ever see me naked.”

Natalie grins again. “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Luke demands, making me laugh again. Luke’s only the most romantic man ever born in the history of men.

“I mean, it’s pretty romantic,” I agree with a snort. “Leo’s a great guy. A good musician. And four-thousand-percent married to Sam. I’m not interested in anything more than music.”

“Say it just like that, and Sam won’t have an issue,” Luke says with confidence. “She’s not stupid. Regarding the house, we’re good there. We trust you.”

“Thank you.”

I don’t know why I suddenly have tears in my eyes. It’s ridiculous. I have an amazing life. There’s no reason to cry.

Maybe it’s the relief that these people that I care about and respect, trust me. Perhaps it’s the stress of the stalker.

Maybe I’m about to start my period.

I don’t know.

“I think you need a huckleberry treat,” Nat announces as she stands from her seat. “I have some huckleberry delight in the fridge. Do you want a piece?”

“Yes.” I swipe a tear away and smile at both of them. “Yes, that sounds amazing.”