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As if summoned by my thoughts, Liana opens the door. “Found it.”
“Thank you.” I gesture to Vic. “If you’ll give him that, I’ll get the tie and jacket.”
Taking a moment to regain my composure, I pull the jacket and tie off the hanger. When I turn, my mouth waters at the sight of Vic shrouded in dark colors, molded to his body like a second skin. It should be illegal for him to look that good.
I pass the jacket to Liana and hold up the tie. “Can you handle this part?”
He scoffs and grabs the silk tie from my hand. The fabric slides between my fingers, making me shiver.
My mind wanders as he loops it around his neck, beneath his collar. He works quickly, tying it in a perfect Windsor knot. All without glancing in the mirror or breaking eye contact.
“How does it look?”
“Fantastic,” Liana says with awe. “You’re a magician.”
Vic laughs. “No. I had a lot of practice tying them on set. I didn’t have gorgeous stylists to help me then.”
Liana’s face turns pink. She hands me the jacket. I hold it open. He turns and places his arms in the sleeves. It slides over his shoulders and settles into place, perfectly framing his body. I suppress a shiver caused by the heat building between us and step away.
“Magic.” He meets my gaze. “Thank you, Marcy.”
“Any time.” I drop my hands to my sides. “I’ll have hair and makeup come to your room in a moment.”
Liana gathers the remaining items and opens the door. I’m half in the hallway when his voice stops me.
“See you around.”
I meet his gaze, and my pulse flutters at the sincerity on his face. With a smile, I close the door behind me, cutting him from my view.
Liana nudges me with her elbow. “Was he flirting with you?”
“Yeah.” I shrug like it doesn’t matter, but inside, my body’s humming. I’ve had clients flirt with me before. Senators, actors, musicians, talk show hosts—you name it, they’ve hit on me.
But it’s never affected me the way Vic’s flirting has. He’s all charm, the way Dan used to be. It’s a red flag, and I know better than to get involved with a client. That’s a one-way ticket to disaster.
“Why didn’t you flirt back?” she asks, keeping her voice low.
“Because I don’t fool around with celebrities. And I certainly don’t date clients.” I pin her with a knowing look. “You’ve worked for me long enough to know this. I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“I know.” She pouts. “But he looked like he wanted to throw you over his shoulder and find the nearest bedroom.”
I chuckle. “You don’t need a bedroom...just a door with a lock.”
“That’s true.”
I open the door to the main dressing room. Kit and Trixie spin around expectantly, then frown when it’s only me. “Mr. Simmons is waiting for you both in his dressing room.”
“Finally.” Trixie grabs her gear and heads for the door. Kit follows close behind.
I shake my head and focus on the young woman Donna is dressing in a long shimmery dress.
As we finalize her look, my mind wanders to Vic.
It’s not like I haven’t been interested in any men. I am. But I’m not interested in anything more than a one-night stand. That doesn’t work well in this industry. And the one man I’d even consider breaking my longstanding rule for...well, he’s not even an option. Vic isn’t Rob. No one is.
My brother’s best friend is completely off-limits. Rob deserves a woman who will give him everything he’s always wanted. And I can’t give him that.
I’m broken and jaded. No one wants the real me.
