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“Vanessa’s drinking problem is an open secret amongst celebrities and paparazzi,” Shay said.
“Well, it’s good that she’s getting help.”
Shay made a face. “She isn’t serious about it. She goes to rehab once every few years to get Beverly off her back, but she always starts drinking again. I thought Ryan and Ryleigh cutting off contact with her after the whole stalking thing might convince her to get sober, but it hasn’t. She calls Ryan and Ryleigh regularly and leaves voicemails that waver between hostility and pity, but both are standing strong and refusing to have anything to do with their mother. They’ve put up with her abuse long enough.”
“That’s really sad.” Hedra studied Ryan, who stood beside Grayson, one arm around his waist and her head resting on his shoulder.
“It is, but Ryan is tough, and she has Grayson now,” Shay said. “And Ryleigh’s living with her boyfriend, Gavin, and doing well. But enough about the celebrity life. I want to talk about you and Boone.”
“There is no me and Boone,” Hedra said.
Shay gave her a look, and Hedra looked around before lowering her voice. “There’s a slight Boone and me, but I’m not sure anything will come of it. Sleeping with him right now is a mistake because he’s my employer, and once I’m finished working for him, I’m not sure he’ll be interested if I’m not living in his house parading my fabulous tits in front of him.”
“Your tits are fabulous,” Shay said solemnly. “But I’m pretty sure it’s more than just physical for Boone.”
“You don’t even know him,” Hedra said.
“True, but I’m very perceptive about these things,” Shay said.
“Are you?” Hedra asked.
Shay dissolved into giggles. “Nah, I’m pretty oblivious, to be truthful, but Grayson told Ryan and me that you positively reek of Boone’s scent, and I might be obtuse, but I and -hell, everyone in this room - aren’t blind. We see how he looks at you. Is his scent so strong because he marks you in his tiger form or because he’s marking you while he fucks you?”
“Shay.”
“What? Ryan says that if Grayson marks her while they’re banging, the marking is much stronger, even though he’s in his human form,” Shay said.
“Yes, that’s true, but Boone and I aren’t… having sex.”
“You paused,” Shay said.
“It was a natural conversational pause,” Hedra said.
“Bullshit,” Shay coughed into her fist. “Tell me the truth, Hedra, or I will start singing happy birthday and trust me, you don’t want that to happen. I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, babe.”
Hedra laughed. “Fine. We did some stuff, and we almost had sex but were interrupted by Althea.”
“You got caught by Boone’s grandma having sex?” Shay said. “Yikes.”
“We weren’t caught. Althea called for me from her room,” Hedra said. “Not that it mattered. She could smell that we were…”
“Going to bone town,” Shay said.
Hedra nodded. “Yeah. It was so fucking awkward. Anyway, I’m honestly not sure where I stand with Boone, but I do know that if I don’t get to fuck him soon, I might lose my mind.”
Shay studied Boone. “He is pretty delicious looking. Sounds like the two of you need to have a direct conversation about where you’re headed.”
“It’s not… I mean, we haven’t even had sex. I’m not jumping into a conversation of - hey, Boone, would you like to date me after I’m done working for you? What if the answer was no… how fucking awful would that be?” Hedra said.
“What is life without risk?” A hint of sadness tinged Shay’s smile.
Hedra took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry you’re sad, Shay.”
Shay visibly shook off her melancholy. “I’m not sad tonight. I’m happy to celebrate the birthday of someone I’ve only known for a short time but already feel like I’ve known her for a lifetime.”
“Agreed,” Hedra said. “You’re the best, Shay.”
Shay kissed her cheek. “You are, too.”
