Page 7 of About Last Night

I knew she’d open her eyes and snap it back into place for the after-show VIP meet and greet, but this single moment after every show felt like some secret shared between the two of us—even if she had no idea I paid such close attention to her ritual.

Except this time when she opened her eyes, they found mine immediately. Our gazes locked, and something heady and dangerous passed between us. The moment felt like it stretched on, but with a single blink, she broke the connection and turned toward the assistant who was already yammering on about who the VIPs were tonight. Brynn’s expression was back to all business, and I forced my gaze away from her to once again scan the backstage area and assess her safety. Had I missed anything in those few seconds that it’d felt like she’d held me hostage with that green gaze of hers?

I moved with her as we made our way down the hallway to her dressing room where she’d freshen up before meeting the VIPs, who’d all passed thorough background checks. Anyone who hadn’t been willing to go through the new vetting process had been removed from the list. I did a quick check of the room to make sure no one had gotten back here while we’d been up front, and then stepped outside so she could do whatever she needed to do.

When the assistant stepped out, I stopped her. “Has she eaten anything in front of you?”

The assistant—whose name was Amanda—blinked up at me with wide eyes. “Uh, I don’t know. Was I supposed to have a snack ready? That wasn’t on my list that Stella left for me.”

I frowned. They all made sure she was hydrated, but this wasn’t the first show where I’d noticed she wasn’t getting offered any snacks or food which I’m sure she needed after that performance. “Put it on your list,” I told her, handing her a five-dollar bill from my pocket. “High protein snacks in the future, but for tonight, go down to the vending machine that’s by the restrooms and get her whatever’s healthiest.”

I’d noticed Brynn followed a relatively strict and healthy diet and didn’t want to ruin that, but I was worried about her not having enough fuel to keep going at this pace.

Amanda nodded like a bobblehead and then ran off in the direction of the vending machines. Brynn opened the door to her dressing room shortly after and gave me a quick nod before we headed toward the room that had been set up for the meet and greet.

I saw the change in her body the second before we entered. With an inhale, she pasted on a smile that could’ve looked genuine to others, but I’d been around her enough to know it wasn’t. She smiled just a little too wide when she was faking it. Not that she didn’t enjoy these moments with her fans—because there were times when her shoulders relaxed and her smile met her eyes as they brightened at whatever a fan was telling her—but for the most part, it seemed to drain her more than it inspired her.

I wasn’t sure anyone noticed except me. I’d started to wonder if Brynn even noticed.

After the fifth VIP guest was through, Amanda handed Brynn a granola bar. Brynn’s shoulders fell and relief filled her features. “How’d you know? Is it that obvious I’m starving?” she asked with a little laugh.

Fuck.

“Oh, Wyatt said you hadn’t eaten. I’ve made a note to have high protein snacks for all future shows like he told me. So sorry I didn’t notice. This was the healthiest thing in the vending machine downstairs.”

Brynn had stopped looking at her as soon as she’d said my name. I should’ve told Amanda not to say anything. Brynn’s brows furrowed slightly, and her head tilted an inch to the side as she stared at me, an unspoken question passing from her to me that I refused to answer. I’d had years of practice keeping my face neutral, and I needed every single one of those years to keep it still in this moment.

I wasn’t supposed to care about whether or not she ate. I was just supposed to care if someone attacked her.

“Thank you,” she said, her gaze still locked on mine before she looked at Amanda who was already nodding and walking off so that Brynn could meet with the next VIP.

The rest of the night passed by uneventfully, everything happening just like it usually did.

Except for the fact that Brynn kept looking over at me, especially every time she took a bite of the granola bar.

My gaze snagged on her lips as I watched her take the last bite, and my heart started racing in a way it never had before when I looked up and realized I’d been caught.

NEVER LOOK AT SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN YOU’RE DOWN

Brynn

Stella was talking to me about our flight plans for tomorrow, but for once, I didn’t hear a word she said. I was lost in thoughts over a freaking granola bar.

I’d kept meaning to bring up snacks to Stella, but I always forgot by the time we got done with everything and I was too tired to care. It was one of those things that fell off the priority list, especially when everyone was so on edge because of my stalker. And no one had seemed to notice—mainly because I did everything in my power not to add to anyone’s plate unless it was absolutely necessary.

But Wyatt had noticed.

A riot of butterflies took flight in my stomach, and I placed my hand over it, curious if I could feel it from the outside the way it seemed to be consuming my insides.

“Are you feeling okay?”

His deep voice washed over me and caused arousal to pool in my belly below where the butterflies fluttered.

“I’m fine,” I said, turning back to glance at him.

His gaze was already locked on my face, and the concern that made his brown brows furrow had my heart joining the mix of havoc that he was wreaking on my body.

When was the last time someone had noticed the little things? When was the last time someone had wanted to take care of me who wasn’t on my payroll?