Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 65: No Apologies

Jade's POV (^^ her outfit)

The warm Miami air hit my skin as I stepped out of the black SUV, the subtle humidity clinging to me despite the sharp breeze rolling off the coastline. The sky was a perfect shade of blue, the kind that made you forget you had problems—except, of course, my problems weren't the kind that could be erased by good weather.

The second my silver boots hit the pavement, camera flashes exploded around me.

I barely flinched.

The paparazzi had already been waiting, swarming the front of the studio, their voices overlapping as they shouted my name, trying to get a reaction, a quote, anything they could twist into a headline.

I didn't stop.

Instead, I kept my head high, walking with purpose as my security detail flanked me on either side. My gray knitted two-piece set hugged my body perfectly, my blonde waves falling effortlessly over my shoulders. If the flashes were any indication, I knew this look would be plastered everywhere before I even made it inside.

Good. Let them talk.

A part of me already knew what the headlines would be.

Jade Collins Arrives in Miami—What's She Up To?
Jade Collins Stuns in a Silver Mini-Skirt Following NYC Departure!
Solo Jade? Where's Nick Galitzine? Trouble in Paradise?

That last one made my stomach twist. But I squared my shoulders and pushed the thought away.

They didn't know. Nobody did.

Not yet, anyway.

I was quickly ushered inside, the heavy doors of the studio slamming shut behind me, muffling the chaos outside. A deep breath filled my lungs, and I let the tension roll off my shoulders as I followed Leslie and my team up the elevator.

I needed to focus.

Benito was already here.

The elevator ride was silent, but my mind was loud. I was excited—beyond excited, really—but there was still a knot in my chest, a lingering ache that refused to loosen.

Nick hadn't texted me since his petty message last night.

And I hadn't texted him either.

It hurt. It really fucking hurt.

But I wasn't going to let it stop me.

When the elevator doors opened, we stepped into a sleek, modern floor with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Miami. The meeting room was already set up, the long, polished table surrounded by chairs, bottled water neatly placed at every seat.

We were early.

I sat down, crossing my legs and exhaling slowly as I forced myself to push Nick out of my mind. Leslie sat beside me, casually scrolling through her phone, her nails tapping lightly against the screen.

Five minutes later, the energy in the room shifted.

The door opened.

Benito walked in, surrounded by his team, dressed in oversized denim and sunglasses, his usual effortless cool radiating off him.

And then, he smiled.

A slow, easy grin, flashing just enough teeth to make my breath hitch slightly.

Damn.

He looked straight at me, his energy warm, smooth, relaxed.

"I'm really happy you decided to do this," he said in that deep, unmistakable voice, his Spanish accent lacing every syllable.