Back in California, my bags are all unpacked, and Taylor is demanding that I get to her office. It's been lonely since returning- Ashton is in Europe filming for a new movie, the band is starting their tour, and Nash is off being Nash. Of course, Mom and Dad are working, as always. That leaves me, recoding all the monotonous things I've been doing to keep my mind occupied. The viewers seem to enjoy the overload of content, though.

As I watch the elevator climb the floors, the kiss Morgan and I shared lingers in the back of my head like an itch I can't scratch.  I know it was to prove a point, but that doesn't mean it'll stop the memory from replaying like a broken record. 

The elevator dings, pulling my thoughts away from Morgan's stupid smirk. I take a deep breath as I head to Taylor's office- the anger in her voice was practically tangible. The double doors are already open; I can feel the looming threats from my spot in the hallway. I step into the office- Taylor appears to be one wrong breath away from snapping. Seth is pacing near the window and Morgan- Morgan?

Morgan grins at me, relaxing in the chair. "There's the star of the show," he laughs, clapping dramatically. "Finally," Taylor snaps, looking up from her laptop. "Sit."

I cautiously take the chair across the table from Morgan, glancing between the three people nervously.  "I assume yall both know why yall're here," Seth says, crossing his arms as he turns to us. I raise my eyebrows, waiting for an explanation. 

"What the hell were you two thinking? Kissing?" Taylor asks dryly. "This is a damn disaster."

Morgan snorts, bringing his boot-clad foot to rest on his knee. "Disaster? Yall wanted us to perform. We performed. I don't see a problem, personally," he claims, glancing over to me. "What'da about you, Juliette?"

They all turn to me, their expressions contrastingly different. Amused, angry, extremely stressed. I'll let you decipher who's what. 

"Don't look at me," I press, holding my hands up in innocence. "We wanted buzz," Seth expresses, rubbing his temples. "This? You've got fans and reporters spinnin' all kinds of theories. They're speculating that it was staged."

"...but it was?" I remind him. "No, Juliette," Taylor begins, the anger leaking through her words. "Your run-in was staged. Not Morgan stabbing you with a pen and you two kissing- like that."

Heat rushes to my face. "That's not fair," I snap, leaning forward in my chair. "Do not even bring my diabetes into this. You're so ridiculous, Taylor."

Morgan lets out a whistle, his eyebrows raised. "Feisty. I like that."

I shoot him a glare before turning my focus back to my manager. "You two pushed this whole PR thing on us. We took it and gave you two the show you asked for."

Taylor pinches the bridge of her nose, sighing heavily. "We asked you two to work together. Not create a viral scandal." Morgan laces his fingers together behind his head. "I personally don't see the issue. It was just a kiss. People kiss all the time."

Taylor slams her hands against the desk. "Yes, Morgan, it is a big deal. The public doesn't see just two people kissing- they see Morgan Wallen and Juliette Copelan kissing. They see headlines, narratives, pictures, problems."

He raises an eyebrow, letting an irritated laugh slip from his mouth. "Yall are so dramatic." He pushes his chair back with a loud scrape, taking his hat off to run a hand through his noticeably shorter hair. In the short time his hat wasn't covering his hair, I was able to decide that I like it short, and I might find him way more attractive now.

Sue me.

Morgan strides toward me like a man on a mission. He adjusts his hat, his smirk only spreading wider. "What are you doing?" I ask cautiously, instinctively leaning back into my chair. "Proving a point."

"Morgan-"

He cuts me off by grabbing my face softly and crashing his lips into mine with a confidence that's completely him. It's not just a kiss- it's a performance; bold, intentional, and public. 

I freeze for a moment, my heart pounding against my ribcage. He tilts his head slightly, deepening the kiss just enough to make my breath hitch. And the worst part?

I don't fully hate it.

For a fleeting second, my brain betrays me, whispering that I might like it a little more than I should. The moment stretches out way too long; reality snaps back like a rubber band when Seth clears his throat. "We get it, Morgan."

He pulls away, looking way too pleased with himself. His thumbs brush over my cheeks before he lets go- I'm left stunned, staring at him like he's just flipped my entire world upside down. He grins, wiping his thumb across my bottom lip like he's savoring the moment. "See? Not a big deal."

 Before I have time to process what just happened, Morgan leans down, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and resting his chin on my head. His weight is oddly comforting. "What?" he says with mock innocence. "We're just giving you guys what you asked for."

Taylor looks seconds away from jumping across the table and strangling Morgan with her perfectly manicured hands. "You're impossible," Seth sighs, squeezing his eyes shut in frustration. "Impossibly good at my job," Morgan quips. I feel his chuckle vibrate against me. His fingers brush against my arm, almost absentmindedly, like he doesn't realize he's doing it. It's hardly noticeable, but it sends a small burst of warmth through me. 

Before he lets go, he leans down, his voice lacking the usual tease as he whispers, "You alright, Juliette?" low enough for only me to hear. I give a single nod, not trusting my voice. He finally lets go, laughing under his breath. My face burns as he takes his seat across from me. I finally manage, "Are you crazy?" My heart is still fluttering in my chest and my mouth is oddly dry. He winks, "About you. Don't act like you didn't like it, girl."

I open my mouth to retort but Taylor cuts me off. "You two are not allowed to be seen together in public unless absolutely necessary. Unless you're committed to faking this relationship properly, you're not to interact outside of required events. Understood?"

Morgan pouts, jutting his bottom lip out. "So, no more kissing?"

"No, Morgan," Seth snaps, clearly done with his antics. Morgan smirks but doesn't say anything. I grab my purse and stand, muttering under my breath as I head for the door. "This is ridiculous."

"I'm serious, Blake," Taylor calls, her tone icy. "One more slip up and we're pulling the plug."

I storm out of the office, my heels clicking against the floor. Morgan catches up with me, "Juliette, hold up."

"What, Morgan?" I ask, annoyed, as I press the button for the elevator. "You heading somewhere? I'll join."

"No, you won't. Go away." He grins, unbothered, as always. "Awe, come on, girl, don't be like that." The elevator opens and I slip out immediately, trying to escape Morgan's presence.

I keep walking, my sight set on the small diner down the street that I always stopped at after a bad meeting with Taylor. His boots click on the pavement behind me as I finally step into the restaurant.

When I slide into a booth, Morgan sits across from me like it's the most natural thing in the world. "What are you doing?" I grit my teeth under my breath, gripping the laminated menu in my hand. 

"Getting lunch," he says, like it's obvious. "What's it look like?" He takes his hat off, running a hand through his hair. But this time, he sets it down on the seat next to him. I can fully see his new cropped cut. It gives him a cleaner, more put-together appearance, and I can feel my stomach fluttering. I clear my throat, knocking myself from the admiring thoughts. I roll my eyes for him to see, choosing to ignore him. Anything to save what little patience I have left. 

The waitress comes over and Morgan orders for the both of us before I can say a word. "No onion on hers," he smiles, handing her the menu. When she walks away, I glare at him. "You're unbelievable. And how the hell did you know that I don't like onions?" 

He grins, leaning back into the booth. "You seem stressed, what's botherin' you?" I cross my arms, annoyed. "What's bothering me is that everyone I know is off living their lives and I'm stuck here, dealing with this."

He tilts his head, pressing his lips into a frown. "So, you're lonely." I scoff, annoyed by his assumption. "I'm not lonely. I'm just annoyed."

"Uh-huh," he says as he leans forward, resting his arms on the table. "Come back to Tennessee with me." His tone is completely natural, as if he didn't just say the most outrageous thing I've ever heard.

I blink, completely caught off guard. "Excuse me?" He shrugs, looking at the waitress as she approaches us. "Here you guys go. If you need anything else, just let me know." Morgan flashes his signature grin as he picks up a fry. "Oh, yes ma'am, we will."

When she leaves, he turns to me. "You heard me."

I'm at a loss for words as he munches on the fry, raising his eyebrows. "You can't tell me you'd be missin' much."

I laugh sharply, shifting uncomfortably. "Yeah, not happening." The man across the booth shrugs, seemingly unbothered by my answer. "I'm here 'till Monday, if you decide to change your mind."

I narrow my eyes as he bites into his hamburger. "And if I don't?" He smirks, leaning back in his seat again. "Guess I'll just have to convince you, then."

We finish our lunch with Morgan annoying me and myself trying to tune him out. I pay for an Uber while Morgan pays for our lunch. "What a gentleman," I mutter as we exit the restaurant. He leans against a lamppost, watching me like I'm the most interesting thing on the street. "What're you doing?" he finally asks. "Waiting for my Uber," I respond without looking.

He snorts. "Why?"

"To go home?"

"Can you not drive?"

I roll my eyes, tucking my phone into my pocket. "I can. I just don't need to. I'm not one of the country girls you're used to seeing." He presses his lips together, shrugging. "What a damn shame."

I glare at him, his little side comments burrowing into my skin. "Why are you still here?" 

"Because I'm not done talking to you," Morgan responds simply.

"Well, I'm done talking to you."

I step toward the curb, ignoring his smirk. "You're gonna leave me out here, all alone?"

"You're a grown man, you'll live."

He doesn't flinch- instead, he stuffs his hands into his jeans pockets. "Guess I'll just have to come with you, then."

I stop mid-step, turning to stare at him in disbelief. "Like hell you are."

He pouts, "Why not?"

"Because I barely tolerate you in public, so why would I bring you into my personal space?"

He grins, stepping forward. "C'mon, Juliette. I'll be good, I swear."

I groan, exasperated. "You're so exhausting." He doesn't miss a beat as the black SUV pulls up in front of me- "And you're fun to annoy."

The window rolls down, and a middle-aged man raises his eyebrows. "Blake?"

I pull the door open, climbing into the back seat. Morgan, unsurprisingly, grabs the door before I can shut it in his face. "You're unbelievable," I mutter, scooting closer to the window. He buckles his seatbelt with a satisfied smile. "That's what they all say."