I didn’t know all the details of the crime he committed, but I did know he’d been convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Each time I tried to picture him, I still saw a little kid grinning boyishly and squinting into the sun. I heard his laughter, remembered the delight I’d felt when all his attention was focused on me. That little boy was gone. He’d grown into a troubled man who’d committed a terrible crime that resulted in a human being’s life ending, even if Tuck didn’t intend for it to happen. He’d once been my best friend. Now he was a stranger, and frankly, that was fine.

I did hold some good memories, however, and because of that, I wished him well. “Okay, Mom,” I conceded, “you’re right, people do deserve second chances, but not as part of my security team, or any other for that matter. Is he even allowed to carry a weapon?”

Louisa picked up the can of hairspray and crop-dusted it over my head, shielding my face with her hand. I resisted the urge to sputter and cough.

“I thought you were against firearms,” my mom said. Louisa waved me off and I smiled, mouthing thank you, and headed for my closet.

“Well, I mean I don’t necessarily like guns, but I don’t make all the rules.” I unbelted my robe and let it drop to the floor, and then set the phone down on a shelf so I could slip on my dress as I spoke through the speaker. “My manager might insist that I have an armed bodyguard. There are a lot of loonies out there.”

“I thought you were the boss. Don’t you pay those people?”

I rolled my eyes. My mom didn’t get anything. “Yes, but I’m just the performer. I’m not the expert on every aspect of my career. I still need advisors, Mom.”

“But you don’t have to take every piece of advice they give. Tell them you’d prefer someone who’s strong, rather than armed. And you should see Tuck, honey. He’s so tall and broad. And he’s built like Thor, all muscle. He must have spent a considerable amount of time working out in the last six years.”

“Well what else was he gonna do?” I murmured.

“Again, cold, Em.”

My assistant, Destanie, pulled the door open, panic written all over her face. “Take that dress off,” she demanded. “Right now.”

“Who’s asking you to undress?” my mom asked.

“Hold on, Mom,” I said, taking her off speaker. “What is it?” I asked Destanie.