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I’mpulled from my thoughts by the men cracking up over something one of them has said.
Cassie, sitting next to me and looking stunning in her black strapless top and skintight jeans, gives me a conspiratorial smile. “They’regoing to be like this all night.”
Ilaugh. “Ihope they give us a private room at the restaurant.Ifnot, we might get kicked out for disturbing the other diners.”
Devonstretches out his long, denim-clad legs and knocks his boot against my ankle. “Wejust need to work off some energy,” he says, a smile curling his lips.Hiseyes are hot on mine, andIget his message loud and clear.Ilook at my hands in my lap, biting my cheek to stop my smile whileIfidget with the hem of my short black dress, gathering it between my fingers, then smoothing it against my thighs.
“I’msure there’ll be plenty of opportunities to work off excess energy at the club tonight,”Calebsays.
Asthe giddiness of the moment dissipates,Ilet out a quiet sigh.Iknow these club appearances are part of the life of rock stars, butIwish we could head straight back to the hotel after dinner.
Whenwe go out in public, so many women flirt with the guys, hugging them, touching them.AndIcan’t do anything but stand there and act as if the way woman after woman drapes themselves overDevondoesn’t bother me.
I’mjust hoping that we’ll only make a brief appearance tonight and thenDevonandIcan finally be alone together again.
Someof my trepidation disappears during dinner.Thefood at the very upscaleJapaneserestaurant we go to is delicious, and after a couple of shots of sake, we’re all laughing and having fun.Butan hour and a half after we arrive at the club,I’mmore than ready to leave.
It’snot likeIhaven’t tried to have a good time.I’vehad a few cocktails and danced withCassie.Andat the start, it was a real thrill meeting the other musicians and celebrities here for the festival.Butjust asIfeared,I’vehad to force myself to look the other way as more women than ever before fling themselves at the guys—atDevon.
He’snot encouraging them, but neither is he actively turning them away.Ithurts to see it, and it’s getting to whereIdon’t know how much moreIcan take.Allthe anticipationI’dheld on to about being with him tonight has drained away, and right now, allI’mfeeling is sad and tired.
Whichis whyI’mhere, standing at the bar, with my back to where my friends have congregated.I’mnot pouting or sulking,I’mjust giving myself some space soIcan try to shove down the pain that’s threatening to choke me.IknowDevondoesn’t want to hurt me.Andyet…
“CanIget you something?” the bartender asks.Hehas a pierced eyebrow and a grin that’s on the flirty side of friendly.Ismile back.MaybeifDevonis happy pretending to be single, thenIshould get into the spirit of it too.
“I’llhave a dirty martini, thanks.”
Hewinks and moves quickly to get the ingredients for my drink.
Apresence at my side has me glancing up.Irelax whenIsee it’s onlyCaleb. “Takinga break from all the attention?”Iask him.
Hegives me a smile that eclipses the bartender’s attempt at flirtatiousness. “Somethinglike that.OrmaybeI’mtaking the chance to tell you how beautiful you look tonight.”
Mycheeks warm.Becauseeven ifI’mnot intoCalebthat way, he’s still gorgeous.Hissea-glass green eyes glitter down at me, and his blond hair hangs over his forehead, almost brushing his long eyelashes.Hislips are curled up in a smile thatI’msure would have plenty of women throwing themselves at him.Buthe’s just like the others—ready to flirt at a moment’s notice whether or not he’s actually interested.
Ibrush my hands over my dress and give him a half smile. “Thankyou.Youdon’t look too bad either.Youknow, for a rock star.”
Hechuckles, but the humor falls from his face and his eyes dart to something over my shoulder.I’mabout to turn and look at what’s caught his attention, but beforeIcan, his focus is back on me. “Wantto dance?”
Iblink up at him, surprised.Iwas sure from his actions at the filming of the music video that he’d sensed the sparks flying betweenDevonand me.Butmaybe he doesn’t realize how far it’s progressed.
Ormaybe he doesn’t care.
I’mabout to decline when the bartender returns and places my drink in front of me.
Hesmiles big when he looks at the man standing next to me, probably because he’s a fan.Buthe remains professional, only askingCalebif he wants a drink.
Calebshakes his head, and the guy nods and moves away to tend to another customer.
Iclose my eyes and take a sip of my martini, my shoulders loosening a fraction as the alcohol slides down my throat.I’llbe honest,I’mglad for the company.Asmuch asCassie’strying to hang out with me, she’s here withZac, andIget that she wants to spend time with her fiancé.
“Howabout you finish up that drink andItake you out on the dance floor?”Calebasks.
Ifrown.I’veonly just gotten my drink, andIwasn’t exactly planning to slam it back.Whyis he being so insistent?
Hegives me an easy grin, but just to be stubborn,Itake another long, slow sip.Hissmile widens, but his gaze darts over my head again, and this timeIturn to see what he’s looking at.
Mylungs freeze, and for a second, my heart forgets to beat.Becausethere’s a woman sitting onDevon’slap, and he doesn’t exactly look unhappy about it.Shehas her arms looped around his neck and is snuggling up to him.It’salmost like he’s forgottenI’meven here.
