“Last up is the slow-motion camera,” I told him after checking my notes.
“Yeah, I’m not doing that.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s a pain in the ass, and only one percent of people get the timing correct enough to look good.”
“I don’t think you could ever look bad,” I said honestly. “You’re so hot, you could be actively trying to mess it up, and you would still come out looking good.”
He grinned. “Now who is flirting?”
“It’s just facts.”
He held the intense eye contact until I was having trouble remembering why letting him touch me was a bad idea.
I broke it before I did something stupid—like beg for a kiss—as I dropped my head to scan my small pad. “If you’re sure you don’t want to do the camera, then you’re good to go inside. I’m pretty sure that Tony is at the entrance with the head of Hullywod.” I flipped the pages to find his name, but Tripp beat me to it.
“Isaac.”
“Right. Stop and say hi, then I’ll meet you inside.”
“Come with me.”
“Nope.”
Maybe if it was a more lowkey event, I could be persuaded. But despite all the lines we’d already blurred, I needed to keep some semblance of professionalism.
In public, at least.
I looked up at him. “Want me to get you a bourbon? Champagne?”
His gaze heated as he slowly shook his head. “We have plans later that I want to be sober for. Or do we need to find a bathroom so I can remind you?”
Yes.
I didn’t say that, of course. “Nope. No. I remember.”
“Damn.” He let out a deep sigh. “Let’s get this over with so we can get to the fun stuff.”
I watched as he set his face in a charming smile. It wasn’t the kind that crinkled his eyes or even reached them, but it was still undeniably attractive.
As he started for the star entrance, I made my way through the area meant for everyone else.
The interior of the building was just as breathtakingly surreal as the exterior. Round tables and chairs filled the space that looked like it would be an amazing venue for a concert or award show. Two long bars edged the sides of the room, leading to a massive stage at the far end. Intricate decor was dotted around the room as centerpieces, including gorgeous plants and gleaming mirrors—the latter of which reminded me of the room at Gilded.
Maybe I should ask Tripp to take me in there.
I thought about what angles I might see of myself and shuddered.
Maybe not.
A screen that was at least double the size of a normal one in a movie theater spanned the length of the stage. A slideshow set to instrumental music played, showing photos of Hullywod, their agents, and their clients. I smiled when I saw one of Tripp.
And then I smiled wider when I saw the real thing.
He scanned the room before heading my way the moment his eyes landed on me. When he reached me, he jerked his head to the side. “Tequila and lime?”
I shook my head as I shot his own words back at him. “We have plans I want to be sober for. Or do you need the reminder?”
