Just One Spark (The Kingston Family 4)

“I’m glad Mom isn’t worked up that her baby girl got married without her there. I feel like we dodged a bullet when Chloe offered a redo.”

Cassidy winced. “I can understand where they’re each coming from though. After being left at the altar once, I can see why a Vegas elopement was appealing to Chloe.”

“True,” Aurora murmured. “But it looks like all’s well that ends well, right?”

“Yes,” he said, relieved.

“So how is the creative process on the album going?” Aurora asked.

Dash was always happy to talk about music. “We were well into our next album when Dominic left. Axel’s done his own writing and we’re working it in. Another couple of weeks and we could be into the recording stage, as long as our engineer and producer can come out here to work.” He preferred to record in his own studio, and he’d reached the status where nobody argued with his artistic needs.

“That’s amazing! And when you go on tour, will there be another incident like the one where you guys returned to the dressing room to find naked groupies?” Aurora wiggled her eyebrows and Dash groaned.

His face burned with embarrassment that his twenty-year-old sister knew that story and the fact that she’d repeated it to Cassidy. “That was Dom’s doing, and no, that won’t ever happen again.” He couldn’t bring himself to face Cassidy after that revelation. “Enough about me. What were you ladies discussing before I walked over?” he asked.

“Girl talk,” his sister said, wrinkling her nose.

“As in none of your business,” Cassidy said, her tone sounding … off.

Not a surprise given Aurora’s topic of conversation about the band. She’d been joking, not considering how Cassidy would take her words because she was young and impressionable.

He held back a groan, glancing at his sister.

She pulled the empty bottle out of Leah’s mouth, sat her up on her knees, and began to pat her back. His niece let out a burp any self-respecting teenage boy would be proud of, and Dash burst out laughing. Both women joined him.

“Give her to me,” he said, holding out his arms.

Aurora passed her daughter to Dash, and he cuddled her close to his chest. “Gotta say, you made one pretty girl,” he told his sister.

Nobody knew anything about the baby’s father. All Aurora had ever told them was they’d met and shared one night, no last names exchanged. She had no way of finding him and she’d accepted that fact.

“I never thought this could be my life.” Aurora gestured around the room. “Family, friends, a roof over my head, and not having to worry every day about food and shelter. I’m so grateful that Linc decided to come find me.”

“I’m glad you don’t have to worry anymore, too.” Cassidy reached out and squeezed Aurora’s hand. “And remember, you’re lucky, yes, but you’re also deserving. Don’t ever doubt it.”

Dash brushed a hand over his niece’s back, agreeing with all the sentiments exchanged. Whatever problems they had, the Kingstons were a tight unit, and for that, they were all fortunate.

His cell buzzed in his pocket and he handed the baby to Aurora. “Gotta check and see who’s calling.” He pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen.

Scowling, he accepted the call and placed the cell to his ear. “What do you want, Dean?” Dash had put the man out of his mind and hadn’t talked to the band about possible changes to management. But Dash still hadn’t gotten over how the bastard had treated Cassidy, who’d heard the man’s name and frowned.

But she turned away, engaging Aurora in conversation, obviously wanting nothing to do with his asshole manager.

“I’ve had my assistant tracking the band’s social media accounts as well as your personal ones, and you know what she reported back? It’s fucking quiet,” Dean said before Dash could answer.

Dash gripped the phone harder. “We’re in the studio making music. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be doing?” he asked, annoyed by the interruption.

“You’re also supposed to be keeping the fans interested by posting. Told you to hire a social media consultant and let them run your pages,” Dean muttered.

Dash glanced heavenward. He’d already had enough of the man. “And I told you I decide what gets out to the public and what doesn’t. Last I heard, the guys said the same thing.”

“Well, if you’re not in people’s minds, they’re going to forget about you,” Dean said.

Dash shook his head. “Not fucking likely.” Dean was more concerned about his own relevance and was pushing the band harder because of it.

Dash wasn’t worried about their fan base. And since he’d stopped posting stupid crap, he’d been more relaxed. The last photograph was one of him and Cassidy at the VMAs. He wasn’t ready to add another.

“I’m going to set up a meet with Misha Raye. She handles the top music accounts,” Dean said.