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I lifted my hand to my face before I knew what I was doing. My body felt activated, like it had the evening I was struck by the paparazzi.
Okay, so maybe it didn’t feel like overkill after all. Maybe it felt like someone was taking care of me. Loving me.
And if I needed more of a bright side, I got to spend time with Luna.
I flipped through the new portfolio while sipping on a glass of pinot noir. Sebastian let us raid his wine fridge, and Luna had no qualms selecting the most expensive bottle for me while she nursed a sparkling water.
Luna had insisted we sit out on the terrace to watch the sunset.
My hand shook. "It's freezing out here. Can we at least go back inside?"
Luna had worn appropriate clothes for the outdoors. "Go get a blanket. I'm tired of feeling cooped up."
"Is that because you work crazy hours at the club?"
Luna tapped her nose. "You know it. I need the fresh air."
I snagged a few blankets from inside and tossed one at Luna. "Just in case."
"Now can you please take a look at the latest designs. I'm going to bite my tongue until you've given me your opinion. I don't want to sway you."
I set the heavy portfolio in my lap. It was immediately obvious that these designs were a step up from the last go around. There were gold and black fixtures, it was all very sleek, sexy, and modern. Exactly the feel you'd want when walking into a luxury casino and hotel. Inside the massive atrium hung a stunning chandelier that looked like running water.
The portfolio even included a scratch and sniff sample of what the scent designer—apparently that was a thing—recommended they pipe through the vents to round out the experience.
Luna leaned forward, elbows on her thighs, a drink between her hands. "It's good, right? I'm not crazy."
I closed the portfolio shut. "You're not crazy."
Just then someone tapped on the glass door to the patio. We turned in unison to find Beck there, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“What the fuck?” Luna asked, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth.
I smothered a smile with my hand. “He must be back from visiting Alice.” I waved him over.
Beck slid the glass door open and joined us on the terrace.
“Who the fuck let you in?” Luna asked, her eyebrow arched like a cartoon villain.
Beck’s eyes twinkled in amusement, his focus solely on my friend. “I’m one of the only people Seb has given access to this place.”
“That doesn’t explain what you are doing here interrupting me and my friend. You can see yourself out. Don’t let the door hit that flat ass of yours.”
I choked on a laugh. We all knew there was nothing flat about that man’s ass.
“You staring at my ass again, Luna? If you’d like, I could give you a closer look.” Beck reached for the belt.
“Okay, you two.” I held up a hand. “Can we not get into it tonight? I’m exhausted from this shitshow and will eventually need to get some sleep.” Although truth be told, this was as entertaining as any of my favorite reality shows and any other night I’d be all for it.
My friends looked contrite, and yet Luna still asked, “Seriously, though, why is he here?”
I explained. “Seb hired Beck and his team to help us navigate the paparazzi madness. He just went home to have dinner with his daughter and put her to bed.”
Luna crossed her arms. “I didn’t know you had a daughter.”
Beck towered over us, legs wide. The man just shrugged, his eyes never leaving my friend.
“I haven’t met Alice yet, but she’s adorable. Definitely a mini-Beck.” I couldn’t confirm with a hundred percent confidence, but I was pretty sure the grown man blushed.
