Little Secret, Red Hot Scandal. Cat Schield

some demos with you that you could shop around the industry. You never know what might get picked up.”

      “Actually, he’s already offered.”

      “And what are you waiting for?”

      Mia hadn’t explained to anyone the real reason she stayed at her sister’s side despite the way she was treated like hired help instead of family. It wasn’t Mia’s story to tell and she knew neither Ivy nor her parents would appreciate the information getting out. Not that Melody or Nate couldn’t be trusted with yet another of her secrets.

      “I’m not waiting for anything. It’s just that I barely have enough time to write, much less create demos.” But with Ivy scheduled to record her album at Nate’s Ugly Trout studios in Las Vegas, perhaps she would have time to do something for herself for a change.

      “Speaking of Nate, did you know he was going in for throat surgery tomorrow?”

      “No.” Mia’s heart gave a worried thump. “I knew he was struggling while we were on tour, and that he pushed through because he didn’t want to cancel any shows, but we haven’t spoken much since the tour ended.”

      Nate had made it perfectly clear that he wanted to continue the relationship. As intoxicating as their affair had been, Mia knew it was only a matter of time until their paths diverged. He wanted her to choose him over Ivy, but she just couldn’t leave her sister. Would the time ever be right? It was the question Nate had posed that last morning in Sydney. Mia had no clear answer.

      “I’m worried about him. He’s using a car service to get to and from the doctor’s office tomorrow, and he doesn’t have anyone staying with him at the hotel to help him after the procedure. I was wondering, since you are in LA, if you could check on him.”

      “Of course.” It was something a friend would do and they’d parted on reasonably good terms. Why hadn’t he said anything to her when they’d met earlier?

      Mia ran through what she would say to her sister tomorrow about taking care of Nate, and decided she would simply tell her that she needed some time off. It wasn’t as if Mia got to take vacations like a regular person. All the time she spent around Ivy was work, even when she was technically off. They might head to the Caribbean or the beaches of Europe together for a little R & R, but it wasn’t as though Mia got to party all night, drink too much and sleep in.

      “Do you know what clinic he’s going to?” Mia asked. “And what time the surgery is?”

      “No. I’m assuming that he’s using Dr. Hanson. He’s the best vocal cord surgeon in LA. Nate mentioned the appointment is first thing in the morning.”

      “How about where he’s staying?”

      “He usually gets a suite at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills when he’s in LA. It’s close to West Coast Records’ offices.”

      “I know it well. Ivy stayed there while renovations were being done on her house.”

      “One more thing. Don’t tell Nate you’re coming. You know how he hates accepting help.”

      “I’ve got it covered. He’ll never know what hit him.”

      “You’re a doll,” Melody said. “I’ve been sick, thinking about him all alone after the surgery.”

      “Don’t worry,” Mia said. “I’ll take excellent care of him.”

      “I know you will. And he might never admit it, but I think he’ll be really glad to have you there.”