Chapter 1732
Steven nudged Zavier with his foot and teased, âCome on, Romeo, if youâre smitten with her, just spill the beans. Whatâs with all the hemming and hawing? Thatâs not the Zavier I know.â
Zavier glared at him. âMind your own business.â She was his fiancée, after all. Zavier didnât believe for a second that Skyler could slip through his fingers.
Steven chuckled, âIf I didnât poke my nose into your business, youâd probably never get the girl.â
Zavier was all business. âI called you here to discuss something important.â
Steven waved him off, âMore important than your love life? Doubt it.â
Zavier had enough. âSteven!âd2
âAlright, alright, spill it. Iâm all ears.â
So Zavier laid it out, detailing how Skyler was working with Carter in the music biz.
Steve had to admit he was impressed. âNever took Miss Skyler for the secretive genius type.â
Skyler was over the moon with her work being appreciated, listening in silently as the men talked.
Steven added, âBut letâs get real. The real test for a song is how it does in the long run. If Carterâs deal with Skyler is to split the net income fifty-fifty after costs, they could be looking at enough dough to live comfortably for a lifetime.â
Zavier mused on a future possibility. âIâve been considering if she should start her own studio, and be her own boss.â
Steven nodded, âBeing the boss has its perks. More cash if things go well, but it also means looking after a whole crew. Thatâs real pressure, and it could stifle the creative juices. Musicâs not just about hard work-itâs a lot about raw talent.â
The two bantered back and forth, completely ignoring what Skyler might want. Finally, Skyler piped up, âDonât I get a say in this?â Zavier turned to her, âLetâs hear it, then.â
âIâm happy working with Carter for now,â Skyler confessed. âHeâs been a mentor to me. Itâd be wrong to just bail after one hit single.â Zavier probed, âIs that really your plan?â
She nodded.
âDonât regret it later,â he warned.
âI wonât,â Skyler assured.
Steven chimed in, âI think we should respect Skylerâs wishes. Sheâs happy, and sheâs making bank-whatâs not to love?â
Zavier was clearly not pleased. âWho knows what sheâs really thinking?â
Steven caught the hint of jealousy. âYouâre not worried about Carter swindling her. With you backing her, he wouldnât dare. Youâre worried she might elope with the guy, arenât you?â
Zavierâs face darkened as his private fear was voiced, and he glanced at Skyler. Just the other day, heâd gone to pick her up from the studio and found Carter personally escorting her out, whispering something that left her grinning ear to ear.
His fiancée, even if he wasnât keen on her, couldnât be allowed to make a fool of him.
Skylerâs eyes widened in disbelief. âYou really think that?â
Zavier just grunted.
She didnât want a bad rep. âZavier, we may be headed for a split, but I wonât fancy anyone else before that. And I certainly wonât run off with anyone. Carterâs just a mentor to me, nothing more.â
Zavier was resigned. âI donât want to fight our families. Iâve decided to go along with their plans.â
Skyler was taken aback. âWhat do you mean?â
Steven couldnât resist teasing, âItâs obvious, isnât it? Zavierâs fallen for you and doesnât want to call off the engagement.