Chapter 14
GWEN
“Ithink I like this one,” I said, swiveling so I could see my butt in the dressing room mirror. I glanced at my phone perched on the chair.
I’d Facetimed Sarah to get her opinion on possible outfits for the concert tonight.
I hadn’t packed anything concert appropriate, and Harrison and I were going to be in a VIP box.
The interview was a home run, which meant people were going to be watching for him at the concert.
I had to look my best given all of the reflected attention.
And yeah, deep down I also wanted to look good for Harrison.
Okay, maybe not so deep down. I wanted him to look at me the way he did in Aspen.
I couldn’t help thinking back to one night in particular, when we’d finally managed to pull ourselves out of bed to go for a nice meal.
I’d worn my trusty slim-fit knit dress, the one that looked painted onto my body, and his eyes had nearly popped out of his head when he saw me.
“Turn around again,” Sarah demanded. I could see her squint from five steps away. “Show me what you’re workin’ with, Momma.”
“Stop,” I scolded her. “It’s not like that.”
Although it sort of was. I pivoted so she could get the full 360 degrees. The dress was tight, with two small cut-outs at the hips and a slit up the back.
“Damn, you look downright juicy in that thing,” Sarah said.
I tilted my head and stared at my reflection. “You don’t think the color is too much?”
“No, I love you in orange. You never wear bright colors.” Not entirely true—but she was right that a bright dress wasn’t typical for me.
My secret love of bright colors usually stayed restricted to stuff no one would see but me: underwear, pedicures, and a few discreet accessories.
It was my job to blend into the background, and my wardrobe reflected that.
Usually. But…maybe not tonight. For tonight, maybe I could let myself go just a little.
Have a good time. Live out loud, bright colors and all.
“And it’s a fun tribute to Scarlet’s new album art,” Sarah added.
The photo featured Scarlet beneath an orange tree, laying back with her eyes shut and surrounded by fallen fruit. I hadn’t had a chance to dive into the symbolism of it yet.
“And I have a feeling that Scarlet isn’t the only person you want to impress tonight,” Sarah added with a wink.
I walked over and picked up my phone. “Come on. Would you stop?”
“Why? Maybe you two connecting is a good thing? Fate is showing you that you’re meant to try again.”
“Excuse me? A scientist talking about fate?” I shook my head in disbelief. “Nope. I’ve mixed business with pleasure twice, and both times it blew up in my face. You know my rule about getting emotionally involved when I’m on a job.” I paused. “It’s simple; don’t.”
Sarah frowned at me. “But you’re different now. You’re more established. You know the difference between a real connection and one that’s only there because you’re around each other all the time. From what you’ve told me, you and bossman are really vibing.”
My cheeks went hot. “It’s sort of hard not to.”
“Right?” Sarah laughed. “I watched him on the show last night, and the man is magnetic. Even Ryan seemed to have a crush on him. And you might need to watch out for Scarlet; she was a little flirty!”
“Eh,” I tipped my head back and forth. “I think she’s exploring other possibilities, to be honest. Branching out. Have you heard the rumors about her and her bestie Lulu?”
“That model?” Sarah asked. “No way!”
I nodded. “There’s a song on the album that has vague pronouns. I think it’s about her.”
“Okay, so you don’t have to worry about an international pop star coming for your man. Good.”
“He’s not my man,” I insisted.
“But he could be,” she sang back. “Why don’t you open yourself up to the possibility? How long has it been since you’ve had…fun?”
“Way, way, way too long,” I chuckled. “I don’t think I remember how to do it.”
“Oh, I bet Mr. Ashford would be happy to school you.”
“Would you quit it?” I scolded her. “What’s gotten into you?”
“You really want to know?” Sarah locked onto me through the screen, laughter giving way to something more serious. “I see something happening with you. You’re happier. Lighter, despite all of the drama around your new position. I think it has to do with him.”
“Yeah.” I plopped onto the little stool in the dressing room. “Maybe.”
“Why so glum? If you’re feeling it too, go for it!
Stop holding yourself back. I think you have the right kind of guardrails in your life now—you’re not going to screw things up.
So if you find yourself having a moment at the concert, give into it.
Let whatever wants to happen happen when you’re in the dark, listening to your favorite singer cooing love songs. ”
“She’s not my favorite singer,” I insisted weakly.
“Damn,” Sarah said. “Deep in denial on two counts. Whatever. All I’m saying is be open to possibility tonight. Okay?”
It was so unlike my rule-abiding sister to push me to make bad decisions. Did that mean maybe this wasn’t a bad decision after all?
“Okay. I’ll let fate guide me.”
“Right into his bed,” she laughed.
“Enough! Goodbye!”
I disconnected the call and stared at my reflection.
Tonight was going to be epic, no matter what.
“She’s incredible,” Harrison said, speaking right into my ear so I could hear him over the screams of a bazillion Scarlet Rush fans. “I’ve been missing out.”
Scarlet had just kicked off the concert with her last mega-hit, and I could’ve sworn I saw Harrison mouthing the words.
“This is the best night ever,” I replied.
It really was, for so many reasons. The way Harrison had looked at me in my new dress, the way he’d placed his hand low on my back as we made our way through the crowds to our VIP box seats.
And yes, seeing Scarlet perform the songs I’d loved for years as well as new numbers I was falling in love with already.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Harrison said. “I like seeing you like this. All worked up and excited, having the time of your life.”
The weight of his gaze left me lightheaded. Was the undercurrent between us heightened, or was it just the energy in the stadium?
It wasn’t like we had the privacy to cash in on the tension brewing between us, seeing as the box was filled with other VIP fans.
I saw a fashion blogger I knew from TikTok, a designer who’d outfitted Scarlet for the Met Ball, and an older woman in sunglasses I knew I recognized from somewhere but couldn’t place where.
The box was a decadent treat. I was used to sitting in the nosebleeds with Sarah on the rare occasions we went to a concert, so the cushy leather seats, incredible view of the stage and meal service were the stuff of dreams. And watching Scarlet strut her stuff so close?
Yeah, I could no longer hide the fact that I was a rabid fan. I didn’t stop myself from screaming along with the rest of them.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” Harrison said. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m perfect.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up as he watched me for a beat. “Yeah. Agreed.”
My heart thumped. There was no misinterpreting what he meant.
I refocused on Scarlet, who was talking about learning to play piano when she was a girl. I already knew the story by heart.
I felt Harrison’s warm hand slide around my shoulders and pull me close. I turned to smile at him and froze when I saw who was actually manhandling me.
“Ben?”
“Hey there, stranger! I haven’t seen you in forever.”
He wrapped me in a hug I didn’t want then peeled away to look me up and down.
“You look incredible! Wow.”
“You look…the same.”
It was all I could manage to say. I was a little dumbstruck in his presence. Ben was every inch the magnetic celebrity, and he used his charm like a weapon.
He laughed good naturedly. “Nice to hear. I was worried I packed on a few pounds while I was in Italy.” He patted his stomach.
“Right,” I nodded. “You’ve been filming with Kate.”
For Hollywood, they had what counted as a successful relationship—still going strong, even though they’d been together for years. But that didn’t mean it was smooth sailing. The rumors from the set told of epic fights and make-up sex in their trailers.
He grimaced. “Yeah, it’s been a real experience. Anyway, let’s talk about you. What are you doing here?”
The subtext was clear: How did a nobody like myself manage to get into the VIP section? I debated how to answer and opted to go for his jugular.
“I’m here with Harrison Ashford.”
Ben squinted at me. “That name sounds familiar. Is he with Paramount? That script writer?”
I laughed at him. “Uh, he’s the CEO of Ashford Jets? I’m sure you’ve heard of them.”
His expression went pinched, which was exactly the reaction I’d wanted. “Oh, cool. Are you two, like together, or is it business?”
I gave him a naughty grin and shrugged. Harrison appeared beside me holding a tumbler and a champagne glass with a Scarlet Rush swizzle stick in it.
“I figured you might want this,” he said as he handed the drink to me, his eyes never leaving my face, totally ignoring Ben in a way that felt pointed. Felt petty. I hid my smile behind the champagne glass, maliciously delighted.
Harrison finally turned to Ben and offered his hand. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t notice you there. I’m Harrison. And you are?”
I bit back a chuckle. Score one for my bosshole, because there was nothing Ben Simon hated more than people not knowing who he was.
Ben puffed up as he grabbed Harrison’s hand so that he’d be close to his height. “Ben Simon. You might know me from Detective School.”
“Oh, wow, you teach detectives?” Harrison asked with a straight face. “That’s a cool job. So I’m guessing you must’ve been a police officer at some point?”
Ben shook his head vigorously. “No, no, I’m the lead on the show Detective School. I’m an actor.”
Harrison glanced down toward the stage where Scarlet was still vamping between songs. “Huh. Never heard of it. I’ll have to check it out.”