Chapter 4 Hilary
Chapter Four
Hilary
I’m nervous.
Why the hell am I nervous?
It’s a baby shower.
For my best friend.
With people I know.
In a house I’ve been to a hundred times.
So why does it feel like I’m about to walk into an interview where I forgot my own name?
Okay. Focus.
I shift my grip on my purse and smooth my dress like that’s going to magically fix whatever is happening inside my chest right now.
The door swings open—and it’s not Adrianna.
Obviously.
She’s probably buried under a mountain of gifts and glowing like a literal fertility goddess somewhere in the living room.
Instead, it’s Bella.
Adrianna’s niece.
Teenager.
Adorable.
Uber dramatic.
Knows everything about everything and isn’t shy about it.
“Hey, Bells—”
She doesn’t even look at me.
Her eyes go straight past me.
To him.
And then—she screams.
Not like scared.
More like someone just dropped front row tickets to life into her lap.
“Oh. My. God. It’s you!!”
I blink.
“Bella, what—”
“OH MY GOD!”
She grabs my arm so hard I almost drop my keys.
“Do you know who that is?!”
I glance over my shoulder.
At David.
Who is just standing there, calm as anything, holding my ridiculously oversized baby gift like he didn’t just cause a full teenage meltdown.
And okay, yes, he still looks unfairly hot. That hasn’t changed.
But—what the heck is she talking about?
“Um… yeah?” I say slowly. “That’s David.”
Bella makes a sound like I just told her I’ve never heard of oxygen.
“David? He gave you his first name? OMG! Larry, THAT is DJ Mars.”
I laugh.
“What?”
Because obviously she’s joking.
Except, she’s not laughing.
She’s jumping up and down then staring at me like I’ve personally offended the internet.
And something cold slides down my spine.
“Wait.”
I turn.
Really turn this time.
Look at him.
Not just at him—but at him.
The tattoos.
The confidence.
The way he holds himself like he’s used to being watched.
Recognized.
Wanted.
And suddenly, it clicks.
“Oh my God.”
My voice comes out way quieter than Bella’s.
“You’re DJ Mars?”
His mouth curves, just slightly.
Not cocky.
Not obnoxious.
Just aware.
“Uh, depends,” he says. “Am I in trouble?”
I stare at him.
At this man—this global superstar—who was just standing behind me while I flashed my Berenstain Bears underwear to the entire neighborhood.
He called me linda.
I backed into him.
Flirted with him.
Repeatedly.
My brain short-circuits.
“Are you—” I gesture vaguely. “—serious right now?”
Bella is practically vibrating beside me.
“I knew it! I knew it the second I saw him! Aunt Adrianna is going to freak out—wait until I tell—”
She spins and bolts into the house like a missile.
“EVERYONE! DJ MARS IS HERE!”
Oh.
Oh no.
I slowly turn back to him.
He’s frowning now, like this is exactly what he didn’t want to happen.
“Crap,” he mutters under his breath. “Hope Nate’s not pissed.”
“Nate?” I blink. “You mean your pal Nate?”
“Yeah.” He shifts slightly, suddenly looking almost… uncomfortable. “I’m not here to steal anyone’s thunder.”
And wow.
That is not the answer I expected.
But my brain is still catching up, so I barrel right past that.
“And the whole time we were talking, you didn’t think to mention who you are?” I demand.
One brow lifts.
“I told you my name, linda.” His gaze flicks over me, amused. “But tell me why that kid called you Larry.”
I open my mouth.
Close it.
Open it again.
Nothing.
No words.
Not a single intelligent thought.
Just one very loud realization echoing in my head—
I just flirted with a world-famous DJ like he was some random guy in a parking lot.
“Larry?” he prompts again, his mouth twitching like he’s fighting a smile.
“Shut up,” I mumble. “It’s just a nickname.”
Before he can say anything else, the house erupts.
High-pitched squeals. Rapid footsteps. Chaos.
And then—
We’re surrounded.
Bella’s friends. A few other girls I vaguely recognize. Phones out. Eyes wide.
“OH MY GOD—”
“Can I get a picture—”
“I love your last mix—”
He’s instantly pulled into it—signing, smiling, posing like this is second nature.
Like he’s done this a thousand times.
Which… he has.
I step back, instinctively giving him space.
And I should walk away.
I should go find Adrianna. Drop off my gift. Pretend this whole thing didn’t just happen.
But I don’t.
I just stand there, watching.
Stunned.
Because the worst part?
The absolute worst part?
Now that I know who he is…
I know he’s completely out of my league.
And yet—
Somehow—
He’s even hotter.
Yeah.
I’m in trouble.