Brinley was sitting at the kitchen table, scrolling through her phone when Brandon walked in to his house , hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans. He had that familiar confident air, casual but deliberate, like he'd rehearsed nothing yet expected everything to fall into place .
"Hey," he said, sliding into the chair across from her. "Got a minute?"
She looked up, raising an eyebrow. "You're not calling to critique my coffee-making skills again, are you?"
He smirked. "Nope. Actually… I wanted to talk about something a little more important."
Brinley set her phone down, curiosity sparking despite herself. "Go on," she said cautiously.
"I've been thinking," he began, leaning forward, elbows on the table, "Fast Track Music could use someone like you."
"Me?" Her voice was a mix of surprise and skepticism.
"Yeah, you," he said, shrugging in that infuriatingly casual way he had. "Someone organized, creative, stubborn enough to stick with it when it gets messy… and talented enough to know what really works behind the scenes."
Brinley's stomach fluttered. Fast Track Music? That was Brandon's company , well, publicly everyone thought it was Jacob West's, his rock-star persona, but she knew the truth. The idea of working there made her pulse quicken in both excitement and nerves.
"What exactly are you offering?" she asked, leaning back slightly.
"A position as a producer assistant," he said. "You'll help coordinate projects, work with Nitika on production schedules, keep the day-to-day running smoothly. Nothing glamorous at first, but a place to prove yourself, learn, and really get into the music world."
She chewed her lip, thinking. The work sounded exciting, yes, but it also meant seeing Jaxson again. He ran the company as CEO , she'd be around him almost daily. Her chest tightened at the thought. Memories of Paris, the rejection, the heartbreak all rushed back in a wave. Could she handle that?
Brandon's gaze softened. "I know it might be intimidating. You'll see Jaxson there, but he's professional, he won't make it harder than it has to be. You'll be working with Nitika mostly , she's already excited to have you on board , and I'll be around too, behind the scenes, keeping an eye on things."
Brinley nodded slowly, her mind running through every possibility, every scenario. She wanted this. She wanted to feel useful again, to throw herself into something tangible. But what if seeing Jaxson brought old wounds back too sharply?
"You'll be safe," Brandon said gently, as if reading her thoughts. "Not just from Jaxson, but from… everything else. I wouldn't offer if I didn't think you could handle it. And I think you can. I know you can."
She looked at him, really looked, and saw the sincerity there. Brandon's faith in her had always meant more than she'd admitted. Somehow, that was enough to tip the balance.
"Alright," she said finally, taking a deep breath. "I'll do it. I'll take the job."
A smile spread across his face. "Good. You'll start Monday. Nitika will help you get settled in. And don't worry about me , I'll be behind the scenes, making sure everything goes smoothly."
Brinley laughed softly. "I just hope I don't embarrass myself."
"You won't," he said with quiet confidence. "Besides, if anyone can handle the chaos of Fast Track Music, it's you. Trust me."
She felt a spark of excitement, something she hadn't felt in months , the thrill of possibility, of starting something new, of stepping into a world that was hers to explore.
"And," he added, leaning back, "just so you know, the whole Jacob West thing? People think the owner is this mysterious rock star. They don't know me. You'll just know me as Brandon. That's it. Keep it simple."
Brinley smiled, a small laugh escaping her lips. "That makes it easier."
"Good," he said. "Because this is your chance. Not mine. Not anyone else's. Yours."
She took a sip of her tea, letting his words settle. She could feel a mix of nerves and excitement dancing in her stomach. Maybe it wouldn't be easy. Maybe old feelings would resurface. But she could do this. She had to do this.
And with that, she made a choice , to step forward, to take a chance, to begin a new chapter at Fast Track Music.
Her first day, she knew, was going to be something she'd never forget. After she left, Brandon picked up his phone and dialed Jaxson.
"Hey," he said when Jaxson answered. "I'm going to bring Brinley in at Fast Track. Producer assistant. She's talented, organized… a good fit."
Jaxson's voice was calm on the other end. "She's ready for it?"
Brandon chuckled. "I think so. She's cautious, sure, but that's what makes her great at this. She'll handle it. And don't worry, she'll see you, but you don't have to hover. Let her adjust. She needs to feel confident, not pressured."
A pause on the line, and then Jaxson said quietly, "Understood. I'll keep it professional. You think she'll… trust this?"
Brandon smirked. "She'll figure it out. She always does. Just give her the space. That's all it takes."
"Alright," Jaxson said. "I'll be ready."
Brandon hung up, leaning back with a satisfied exhale. The offer was made. The next step was hers. And somehow, he knew this was exactly where the story needed to begin.