Jace (Kings of Country 1)

He shrugged. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Which was the only answer she was going to get.

Fifteen minutes later, she and Jace sat on the stage, facing Molly Harper and her crew from Good Morning USA.

The makeup and wardrobe people had done their best to make her appear soft and sweet without making the Emmy Lou resemblance too strong. Black lace sleeveless top, distressed jeans, and her trademark sparkling boots. Her hair was brushed soft and free, glossy lips, not red. She wore crystal-covered hoops, a crystal heart pendant, and a leather and crystal wrist cuff so there was no confusion about who she was. Crystals were her thing.

Jace? He was in black from head to toe and looked good enough to eat. His long legs were encased in painted-on black jeans and his hat sat at just the right angle. She eyed the black snap-front shirt with interest and caught him smiling at her.

“I remembered you like snaps.” He leaned her way, sliding his chair as close to hers as possible and whispering, “Nervous?”

She nodded, taking the hand he offered her. Couples held hands. If her daddy thought this was the way to handle it, she’d do it. They were a couple. And, dammit, holding his hand helped. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

He grinned, eyebrows raised. “So?”

She rolled her eyes, too tense to come up with a quick retort.

“I’ve got an idea.” His thumb trailed across the back of her hand.

“What?” she whispered back.

His hand was soft against her cheek, almost as soft as the brush of his lips against hers. He lingered, pressing another kiss—and another—until she was leaning into him.

“I hate to interrupt.” Molly laughed. “We’re on in about thirty seconds.”

Jace tucked her arm through his, his fingers threading with hers. She could do this. They could do this. All she had to do was act like she…loved him. Even though she had no idea what being in love was like. She’d written more than a dozen songs about it—might as well tap into them now.

Someone counted down from ten.

“Good morning. Last night a very interesting video was leaked from the Three Kings Concert here in San Francisco.” Molly smiled at the camera. “I’m here, live, to set the record straight with country music sensation Krystal King and heartthrob Jace Black.”

Krystal was so nervous she almost giggled.

“You two look pretty close,” Molly began. “Does that mean the video was, in fact, of you two?”

Jace looked at her.

She was still in danger of dissolving into giggles. What was wrong with her?

“It’s true.” He nodded. “We’ve been trying to keep it quiet but, well, you can’t fight something like this.” His light brown eyes met hers.

Her heart slammed into her chest. “Why would you want to?” she asked softly. It was the question she asked herself every

time he looked her way.

He smiled that bone-melting smile. “Exactly.”

“I guess, after your recent breakup, there were some concerns?” Molly asked her.

“Yes.” Krystal forced herself to look at Molly. “You might have heard that things didn’t end well with Mickey.” She smiled. “But, honestly, Mickey and I only went on four dates, and I think people wanted us to be a couple, so they took it hard when we weren’t a good fit.”

“Mickey was one of those people,” Jace said.

“You were quick to defend Krystal on Guy James’s late-night show.” She paused. “Are you saying he’s lied about the breakup?”

Jace nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Krystal squeezed his hand. “I’d rather not talk about Mickey, if that’s okay?”