Platinum (All That Glitters #3)(91)

“Would you have told me about the kiss?” she asked cautiously.

He took a deep breath and nodded. “As much as it would have hurt me, I would have told you. That’s why I messaged you, telling you that I love you, like you did in New York when you were stressed. That was where my head was, and I needed you to know it right away.”

Damon leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. He sighed when she didn’t pull away.

“It is so good to see you. I just wish that every time we were together, something horrible didn’t happen. I’m over it all. The next time the press asks me a question about my relationship status, I’m telling them I have a girlfriend and that Chloe and I were never together. I’m tired of not commenting and letting them say whatever they want. I’ll fix this, okay?”

“Do you think it’ll change anything?”

“It will change how I feel, and I hope it will change how you feel about what’s out there. I don’t want to be idle about it. I’m not ashamed of you. Even if the media lies and twists it, at least the truth will be out there.”

Trihn bit her lip and nodded. “I’d like that.”

He sighed and looked down. “There’s something else.”

Fear ate at her stomach. “What?”

“I was going to tell you in person in New York City when I went to meet your family because it won’t be officially announced until then anyway, but since you’re here…”

“What is it?”

A smile spread across Damon’s face. “‘We Never Met’ was just certified platinum.”

Trihn’s mouth dropped open. “Oh my God! Platinum! You guys have sold a million copies?”

“Yeah. And it’s all because of you. None of this would have happened without you. You’re the reason for it all. You’re my platinum girl, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”





AFTER THE CONCERT ENDED, Damon insisted Trihn stay with him in LA.

No one was permitted to visit Chloe in the hospital, other than family, and keeping the press away was nearly impossible. It was worthy of Britney Spears’s meltdown in 2007. Luckily, Chloe hadn’t shaved off her beautiful hair.

But due to the emotional stress on the tour, Chloe was flown directly into a rehab facility, and the rest of the summer tour was canceled. She assured her fans that she would be sure to make up all of the missed shows in her next international fall tour but that she needed to take care of herself first.

She and Damon drove back to Las Vegas together with the promise from his manager and agent that they would find something else for him to do until Chloe was back to herself. Trihn could see how upset they were at the loss of profit from the tour. But since “We Never Met” was still at number one and sales had apparently increased since Chloe’s breakdown, Trihn didn’t think anyone was actually hurting for money.

The best part of the whole thing was that Trihn got Damon all to herself again. She would be lying if she said that they didn’t need this time together. To have him around, in her bed and out with her friends, was pure bliss. When they went out, they would have to stay only in VIP areas because his face was so well-known that he would get mobbed. But she didn’t care. She knew things would cool down with time. And she was enjoying the make-up sex in the meantime.

Trihn couldn’t believe that the day had finally come when she and Damon were going to New York. Her designs were as good as they could get, and she was traveling with the clothes the week before the show. She’d promised her parents that she’d have a few days free, so the rest of her family could meet Damon. She was excited and nervous about that.

“Are you ready?” Damon asked as they stepped off the plane at JFK Airport.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He pushed their luggage, including the giant chest of clothes she had brought with her for the show, on a cart. He had his signature cap low over his eyes as they moved through the busy airport. Someone had recognized him on the flight, but since he’d flown them first class, it hadn’t been as big of a deal as Trihn had thought it would be.

A black town car was waiting for them when they walked outside, and a large African American guy in a black suit opened the door and then took ahold of their luggage. They both hopped into the back seat. Damon flipped his hat off his head and leaned over to kiss Trihn.

She took the hat out of his hand and plopped it on her head. “There. Now, no one will know who I am either.”

He narrowed his eyes at her and popped it off her head. “If that stupid clip would just go away, then maybe people would leave me alone.”

“Doubtful,” she said. At least she had stopped cringing about the video that was spreading of him and Chloe kissing at the show. “Not when your track is still at the top of the charts. Biggest hit of the summer. Everyone is tired of hearing it on the radio already.”

“I’m not.”

“Of course you’re not. It’s your song, silly.”

“And about my girl,” he said, pulling her closer, as the car started moving through the New York traffic.

They arrived at her parents’ townhouse a solid hour later. Both of them were desperately tired of traveling and ready to do a whole lot of nothing. The driver helped them unload their bags just as Trihn’s parents walked out of the front door.