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Okay,thatimproved Nate’s mood considerably, except now he had a new problem: his pants had gotten ball-crushingly tight, and it wasn’t because he’d picked up the wrong size at the hire shop earlier.
He didn’t have time to fix the issue—not that he was going to rub one out in the Carreras’ downstairs bathroom while Hollywood’s A-list drank their champagne and ate their pigs in blankets a few feet away, anyway—because Roger had returned with an older man in tow.
“Kris, so good to see you,” the man boomed. He had steel-gray hair, a hard jaw, and a voice like thunder. Nate didn’t recognize him, but if he was here, he had to be important in the Hollywood circuit. “Heard Teague showed you his new toy.”
Teague?Jesus, Nate couldn’t get away from that guy.
“It’s great,” Kris said. “I had no idea he was interested in flying, but he’s an excellent pilot. He took Nate and me both on a flight.”
Her father frowned at the revelation but didn’t say anything.
“Ah.” The man inclined his head toward Nate, who flashed a smile that masked his inner unease. Hey, he was an actor. He could put up a front with the best of them. “You’re Nate, I assume?”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Nate shook the other man’s hand.
“Nate’s my boyfriend,” Kris said. “Nate, this is Steven Collins, Teague’s father. He owns one of the biggest animation studios in the country.”
“It’s a shame Teague couldn’t come,” Roger said. “He and Kris would’ve had such a good time.”
Like Kris didn’t already have a date—one who was standing right there.
Nate’s jaw tensed and he bit back a scathing remark. Meanwhile, Kris shot her father a glare and slipped her hand into Nate’s.
“Yes, well, apparently he has first-row tickets to a concert tonight that he can’t miss,” Steven said, sounding both indulgent and exasperated.
“What about Linda? I thought I saw her earlier.” Roger glanced around the room, where the other guests mingled and laughed.
Nate spotted Gloria with an ultra A-list movie star couple—he’d nearly choked when he first saw them earlier, because holy shit, they were even more intimidating and better-looking in real life—on the other side the living room, preening like a peacock in a dress so tight it might as well have been painted on. The couple smiled politely, but Nate saw the man check his watch and the woman stifle a yawn when Gloria wasn’t looking.
“She went to freshen up. She should—ah, there you are, dear.” Steven smiled at someone over Nate’s shoulder.
He turned, more out of habit than actual curiosity. Then he blinked. Once. Twice.
No. Nonononono.
The thirty-something brunette appeared equally stunned to see him. Her blue eyes widened, and her skin turned ash white beneath her tan.
She joined Steven’s side, avoiding Nate’s eyes.
Nate thought he heard Steven introduce her as his wife, but it was hard to be sure given the blood rushing to his head and pounding in his ears.
Someone announced dinner was ready, and people started moving en masse toward the dining room. Meanwhile, Nate remained rooted to the spot, twin spirals of shock and panic tunneling through his veins.
L.A. was a big city, and he’d been lucky with not running into his past clients so far, but out of all the places for his luck to run out, ithadto be here, tonight. Not only that, but it had to be someone in his extended circle.
Fuck.
Nate was going to hurl. He wondered if Roger would mind him borrowing that antique Ming vase in the corner for a little regurgitation session.
Probably, but there were at least half a dozen of those things lying around—
“Are you okay?” Kris’s voice floated through the hazy landscape of his shock-addled brain. “You look like you’re about to be sick.”
“Yeah. No.” He grimaced and shook his head, forcing the bile back down his throat. “I’m good, just a bit dizzy. Must be this suit.” He tugged on his tie. “It’s hot in here.”
“I’ll have Risa turn the air-conditioning down.” Kris’s brow pinched with concern. “C’mon. Maybe the food will make you feel better.”
The food did not make Nate feel better. Sure, the eight-course meal was delicious, but the pork tenderloins and stuffed mushrooms and whatnot only increased the nausea churning in his stomach.
