23. victoria
TWENTY-THREE
victoria
A s I settle into Leo’s arms, I feel a calm I haven’t known in years. His touch melts everything away, just like those nights I’d fall asleep in his arms in college when we were watching a movie together. Being here now feels almost as peaceful, except for the faint click of the camera, reminding me that this moment isn’t really ours.
Desmond clears his throat. I slowly open my eyes and the bright lights of the studio nearly blind me.
“Victoria, if you could turn around.” He circles his fingers for me to spin the opposite way.
I wheel around as Leo stands behind me.
“Now, get cozy with your girlfriend and put your arms around her,” Desmond instructs.
Leo’s hands settle low on my waist, firm but steady, as if they belong there. My heart does a little somersault, and I start to wonder if I’m actually going to survive this level of closeness. Is it possible to pass out from being held too well?
“Now lean in, almost like you’re nuzzling her neck,” Desmond adds.
Leo’s lips brush the curve of my neck, warm and light, and I suck in a sharp breath.
Desmond studies us. “It’s perfect,” he proclaims.
Perfect? Maybe Leo is—with that devastating smile and those piercing blue eyes. Gah, how am I supposed to remember what I’m doing when he touches me like that?
“You okay with this?” Leo asks softly, his lips close to my ear.
I nod. More than okay. It’s incredible. But that’s the problem—it’s almost too much to handle. Being like this with him stirs up everything I’ve been working so hard to ignore.
“Leo, can you whisper something to her?” Desmond suggests.
Leo hesitates for a second before I feel his breath skim my earlobe, sending a shiver through my body. “It’s fake, right?” he murmurs. “The way I look at you for the camera? Because it sure doesn’t feel like it. I didn’t realize you would be this distracting.”
I bite my bottom lip, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. “Leo Anderson, have you been checking me out?”
I can feel the low rumble of his laughter against my skin. “Let’s just say, if they wanted me to focus, they shouldn’t have put you in my arms.”
I scoff lightly, biting back my smile. “That’s a weak excuse.”
His voice dips lower, making my pulse skip. “It’s not an excuse, Vic. It’s a confession.”
My pulse spikes. Darn it. Leo Freaking Anderson is flirting with me. I take a shaky breath, trying to regain my composure. “Well, I’m sorry you have to stand this close to me and endure such torture.”
“Don’t apologize,” he says. “Being this close to you is not a hardship. Any guy would kill to be me right now.”
Even though I can’t see him clearly behind me, I can hear the pleasure in his voice. He’s just so unbelievably charming, and the way he’s causing my heart to flutter makes me think an ongoing friendship after this will be impossible.
Desmond waves his hand for the photographer to stop. “Okay, that’s good for now,” he says, checking his watch. “We’re behind schedule. Let’s have you change outfits, and we’ll move to the other studio for the commercial.”
We both step away like we need the distance—or maybe I’m just reading into it because I need some breathing room. My heart is beating wildly in my chest, and it’s all I can do to hide the heat blooming in my cheeks. I immediately spin around and hurry to my dressing room, leaving before Leo notices.
When I reach the dressing area, the wardrobe consultant is already there, rifling through several outfits. She pulls out a skating skirt with a deep slit and pairs it with a tank top and cropped jacket.
“This will look fantastic on you,” she says.
“You really think?” I wrinkle my nose. “It’s kind of tiny.”
“It’s athletic wear, it’s always tiny.” She gives me a smile. “Just wait until your boyfriend sees you. He won’t even have to act for the camera.”
My stomach dips. I’m not sure what Desmond has planned, but the photo shoot was hard enough.
I quickly change, and don’t bother looking at myself in the mirror, since there isn’t time. The wardrobe consultant takes me to the studio, rushing down the hall so quickly I can barely keep up. “They’re waiting on you. Have you heard what they want you to do?”
“Desmond was a little vague,” I tell her.
“He didn’t warn you?” She lifts her eyebrows, and my stomach flips.
“No. What is it?”
“It’s going to be one of those commercials that women love for Valentine’s Day,” she says, then stops herself. “But I shouldn’t be the one breaking the news.”
“Wait. This is a Valentine’s commercial?” Why didn’t anyone tell me this?
She doesn’t have time to answer before she sweeps open the door to the set. A perfectly staged living room scene unfolds before me, complete with a tiny red box on the coffee table.
Leo stands off to the side, deep in conversation with Desmond, his brow furrowed as he listens to his instructions. When the director finishes, Leo rubs the back of his neck and lets out a long exhale.
Is he nervous? Leo never looks nervous.
Leo’s eyes flick over to me—and he does a double take before freezing. His gaze drops, sweeping slowly down my body, and the air between us shifts. When his eyes finally meet mine again, there’s something in them—a heat that makes my stomach twist in the best, most confusing way possible.
He comes over, his lips curving on one side. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to remember what I’m supposed to be doing when you look like that.”
Oh.
My heart skips, and I can’t think of a single witty comeback. “Maybe I should change, then.”
He takes my hand gently. “ Don’t. I meant it as a compliment. You told me that you’d rather have my honesty.” His eyes hold mine for a beat too long, and I can hardly breathe. “I just wish I didn’t have to share you with the entire world.”
“Okay, is everyone ready on set?” Desmond asks, turning to see if the crew is in place. When he spots me, he comes over for some final instructions. “I already explained things to Leo, so he knows what to do.” Desmond glances at Leo, and I can feel the tension spike in the room.
“What do I do?” I ask.
Desmond smiles. “Why don’t we just surprise you? That way, your reaction won’t be rehearsed.”
“Surprise?” I laugh nervously, looking between the two men.
Leo looks away, strangely silent.
“Okay, I’ll do my best,” I say before Desmond walks away.
I turn to Leo. “Could you at least give me a hint? I’m not into surprises. And you’re acting all weird, which is making me nervous.”
Leo lets out a sigh. “He wants... a proposal.”
I suddenly feel sick. “What?” I say, my voice catching.
“I’m supposed to ask you to marry me,” he grinds out. “In front of the camera.”
I blink, frozen in place, my brain scrambling to process this. “You’re joking.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” His jaw clenches, but his eyes... they hold something else entirely.
And that’s when it hits me—this isn’t just pretend. Not for me. And maybe not for him either.