Chapter 33
Erin was woken by a kind of convulsion running through Mia's body.
After the interview and after getting her to eat something, she'd lain down with her intending to keep her company until she fell asleep—but sleep had claimed her too.
Another spasm from the singer made Erin open her eyes fully and prop herself up on one elbow to look at her.
Mia was asleep, but her brow was furrowed and she looked tense.
Erin pressed her fingers to her neck to check her pulse and felt it racing—probably a nightmare—so she pulled Mia in and held her tight against her body until the singer woke with a sharp gasp, her whole body jerking like she needed to break free.
"It's me," Erin whispered, pressing her lips to her shoulder. "You're okay. It was just a nightmare."
Mia let out a long, shaky exhale and turned toward her, burying her face in her neck and staying there while she steadied herself.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Erin breathed.
An arm slid around Erin's waist, and Mia moved her hand to her back, tracing slow patterns with one finger.
"I don't remember it very well—it was really strange.
I know I was on stage and the floor started to move, not like it was vibrating, but like it was rippling, and it was impossible to keep my balance.
Then I was in the dressing room and it was like this giant fish tank, but with no water and the glass was all opaque.
I don't remember anything after that," she said, her voice heavy.
"That does sound pretty strange," Erin replied, kissing her hair. "It was just a dream. Don't think about it anymore and it'll fade."
Mia shifted in her arms and looked up at her.
"Are you ready for the gala tonight?"
Erin sighed. She'd been trying not to think about it all day, and honestly, going with Mia didn't bother her—but the idea of cameras made her nervous.
"I can convince Jude to keep you off to the side if you're not comfortable."
"I'd rather be close to you. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
With a smile, Mia curled up against her and drifted off again. Erin didn't. She checked the time—they had thirty minutes before they needed to get up so the singer could start getting ready—but until then, she'd make sure Mia was comfortable and use whatever time was left to let her keep resting.