Page 98 of Knot Their Starlet

“Yeah, Leo thought it’d be a good idea to have you wearing something I’ve been pictured in before. And it’s casual enough to scream that we’re the real deal.”

“Wow, you guys have given this a lot of thought.” I run my hand along the soft fabric.

“Of course we have. We think an awful lot about you, you know.”

I reach into my purse, pulling out my chunky sunglasses to give myself something to do with my hands.

There’s something about the way he says it that leaves me thinking he knows more about Leo and me than he’s openly saying right now.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Leo told him. They’ve been friends for a very long time, and anything I do reflects on Beck now.

Something in his expression settles, growing serious.

“I’ve been noticing the shit people say about you. Even in your own comment sections. If they’re really my fans, they should leave you alone.”

I don’t have much longer to think about it before Beck turns the car on and revs the engine.

My stomach does a little somersault as he pulls out onto the street. I’ve never had a thing for guys with obnoxious cars, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see the appeal. Beck looks hot, with his sunglasses on, driving one-handed in a way that makes the cords in his forearms flex.

I wonder if they look that good because he plays guitar so much. From all the videos I’ve been watching of his live performances, he always seems to have a guitar in hand.

“You ready?” Beck asks as we near his studio.

I start trying to smooth my hair down. All in vain, since the wind still whips around us as he continues to drive.

“You look great,” he calls out, reaching and tugging my hands away from my hair. “Trust me.”

“Okay,” I say, biting my lower lip.

“Don’t look at me like that, or we’re not gonna make it to the studio!”

I can’t tell whether he’s joking or not.

“And why not?”

“Cause then I’m faced with the choice of crashing because all I can see is you or driving straight to my apartment.”

“You’re crazy!” I yell back, throwing my head back in laughter. I don’t know what it is with him today, but he’s even flirtier than usual.

He pulls into the parking lot, and I can already sense the camera lenses on us.

“I’ll be right here with you,” Beck says, flashing me a bright smile.

“Okay,” I nod, tugging on his zip-up hoodie and letting his scent wrap itself around me.

Maybe he’ll let me keep it.

Beck holds my hand, guiding me up to the studio.

I focus on breathing as the flashes start to go off.

I don’t know whether it’s because of Beck’s presence, my start in therapy, or the fact that the sun is shining, dimming the intensity of the flashes, but I’m able to make it inside without freaking out.

I make it a couple of steps into the studio building, closing my eyes and letting out a deep sigh of relief before I crash into someone.

“Whoa, there.” Leo’s soothing paper scent wraps itself around me.

His smile makes something flutter in my belly. It reminds me of the soft smile that never seemed to leave his face while he fed me in my kitchen the other night.