In the heart of Nashville's country music scene, two stars shine bright but from opposite ends of the spectrum. Piper James, the quintessential girl next door, captivates audiences with her soulful voice and down-to-earth charm. Loved by all, she em...
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I sat on my couch, nursing a cup of coffee and trying to shake off the lingering effects of the previous night's chaos. The meeting earlier had gone well, all things considered, but Ben's unexpected invitation to the Grammys kept replaying in my mind. I knew I had to talk it over with Lara, my publicist, so I gave her a call Lara picked up on the second ring. "Hey, Piper. What's up?"
"Hey, Lara," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've got something I need your advice on."
"Sure thing. What's going on?"
"Ben asked me to be his date to the Grammys," I blurted out, unable to keep it in any longer.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line. "Really? Mr. Nashville Womanizer himself?" She nearly laughs as she uses the tabloids favorite title for him.
"Yeah," I said, running a hand through my hair. "I didn't know what to say. I mean, it's not like he asked me on a real date. He said we could go as friends, but still..."
Lata's voice was thoughtful. "You're worried about the rumors." She finishes my thoughts.
The headlines are having a field day with Ben and me after that night two days ago. Pictures of us, drunk and dancing like we owned the place, are plastered everywhere. The press caught us leaving together, and now the rumors are swirling like crazy.
"Music's New Power Couple? Piper and Ben Spotted in Late-Night Shenanigans!"
"Spotted: Piper and Ben's Drunken Dance-Off—Love in the Air?"
"Piper and Ben's Wild Night: The Rumors Heat Up After Steamy Exit!" I rolled my eyes at this headline especially. Steamy exit? You mean me being a sloppy drunk and then humiliating myself by vomiting all over his shoes? Yes, very steamy.
"Grammys on Fire: Will Piper and Ben Make Their Debut as a Couple?" Not a couple.
Exactly," I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "We've already got enough speculation flying around after last night. If I show up to the Grammys with him, it'll just add fuel to the fire."
"I get it," Lara said. "But it could also be good publicity. The two of you collaborating is already going to get a lot of attention. This could help control the narrative. Plus, let's be honest, showing up with Ben Morgan will definitely turn heads."
"I just don't want to be seen as another one of his conquests, you know? His reputation isn't exactly squeaky clean."
"I understand," Lara replied. "But he did help you out last night, and from what you said, he seems genuinely interested in working with you. Maybe there's more to him than the rumors suggest." I knew she wouldn't steer me wrong, and if my own publicist wasn't against me attending the Grammy's with Ben then I guess I shouldn't be either. I am just so protective of what I've built for myself.
