Chapter 9
Luna
I rush out of my building and beeline for the waiting SUV. Esme’s husband, Ty, in his tall frame, jeans, and a jersey, is waiting outside and opens the door for me. The minute I sit and buckle up, Esme starts dropping instructions from Maeven.
“Tonight’s the night. It’s essential that everything goes according to plan, as the soft launch is crucial to pushing this ship from the port. You need to stick to the script and everything Maeven outlined.”
Her stylish asymmetrical bob bounces along with the movement of her hands. The natural makeup strategically accentuates her chiseled features. Esme’s contour game is out of this world.
“Here.” She hands me a little pearl-shaped earbud.
“I have mine in my bag.”
She points at the one she gave me. “You’ll be using this one tonight. You have one, and Rio has the other. Maeven is going to guide you through this outing.”
She doesn’t trust us.
“She’s low-jacking everything from our outfits to our actions.
” I mean, my fit is flawless. The dusty-pink, square-neck, strappy dress and blush Air Force Ones are gorgeous—super flattering to my skin.
I loved this dress since I saw it in the Autumn Lush newsletter two weeks ago.
Not to mention how loud I squealed when it arrived at my house yesterday.
“After the park incident? Do you blame her?” Ty laughs.
Esme swats him. “Maeven just wants everything to be perfect. Trust her. She truly is the best. By the end of the night, people will be talking about you and Rio for a different reason.”
I nod and put the earbud in my purse. Ty turns on the radio, and they’re playing a Rio artist block. I close my eyes and let his voice do what it does best: take you places. It’s impressive how he switches between lover boy and bellaqueo.
You're always going to miss me, baby
I’m like your Fourth of July.
I know the trick to make your body whistle, crackle, and pop.
Y despues viene el boom boom boom.
His smile at the park pops into my head, and I force my eyes open.
Nope, not thinking about him while his freaky lyrics play out.
As I listen, I take the opportunity to finalize the social media calendar for Faye & Fleur, one of the companies for which I manage social media.
I’m so grateful they still let me work for their business.
It’s a good distraction because thoughts about this outing have kept my hands shaking.
We arrive at Madison Square Garden as panic begins to set in, but the phone rings as we park, and I press my ear to answer it.
“Breathe,” Maeven says in my ear. “I want you to walk with a purpose, hold on to Esme like you would with Sel. Don’t make eye contact on purpose, but if it happens, give them a subway smile, fleeting without being friendly, and keep walking.”
“Okay,” I say.
“Don’t talk back or nod, no matter what they say. Just walk, and everything will be fine. Once you’re closer, I’ll connect with Rio. Let’s do this.”
Ty steps out and hands the key to the valet, and we’re walking through the main entrance.
We’re moving fast. An employee in the traditional Knick’s blue-and-orange uniform parts the crowd for us, fast-tracking us to the court.
Esme’s hand on my arm is keeping me at a steady pace. Otherwise, I would run.
“You’re doing great,” Maeven says in my ear. “And god, you look gorgeous.”
If you only knew I’m two seconds from a panic attack.
The pounding of the ball as the players warm up competes with the erratic beating in my chest. Why did I agree to this?
I should’ve stayed my ass at home, under the covers, watching telenovelas with Mami.
I can barely hear myself think in the cacophony of chatter, music, and practice. My throat is closing up.
“I’m connecting Rio.” There’s a slight pause, and then she’s back. “I got you both here. Rio, touch your mustache, and Luna, touch your neck.”
I do as she says. That’s when I see him. He’s wearing jeans and a white t-shirt that clings to those new arm muscles. When he sees me, his lips curve into a smile, causing an uptick in my pulse. I swallow and keep walking.
“Good job on the smile, Rio.” Maeven sounds like she’s smiling herself. “It’s a great day to launch New York’s it couple.”
He’s sitting next to three empty seats. We make our way to him. Ty is going to sit next to him, Esme next to Ty, and I’m sitting on the other side of Esme. It’s a let’s pretend we are not on a date, but we are, situation.
Maeven says, “When you hug, I’m counting to five, and I want you to let go to the count of three slowly.”
His scent reaches me first. It’s spicy and woodsy with notes of citrus and oils, and it winds its way up my nose, intoxicating my senses. I already don’t like the way it hooks me and pulls me closer to him like a rope. But I give in and step into his arms, and the countdown begins.
“How are you?” he whispers in my ear.
“Dying.”
When I step back, he’s smiling, and his eyes do a slow perusal over me.
“Keep your eyes on her face. This is supposed to be innocent,” Maeven warns over the phone. “Luna, take a discreet step back. You’re too close to him.”
“Where the fuck is she watching from?” Rio asks.
I burst out laughing.
“Go take your seat, Luna.”
“See you later,” I tell Rio and turn to go to my seat.
“Take your eyes off her ass,” Maeven says.
A wave of heat engulfs my skin. It takes all of me not to turn around and look back at him.
The man in the seat next to mine arrives, and he calls out to Ty, who turns to me. “Can I take your seat? I haven’t seen my friend in a long time.”
Esme points to the seat next to Rio. “Do you mind? That’s a friend from college, and I like to sit next to Ty during games so he can explain what’s happening to me.”
I don’t get to say anything because she winks at me and then takes the seat next to her husband.
I turn back around and look at Rio, who has the same confused expression on his face.
“Fucking Maeven,” he finally says.
As if she heard him, she whispers in our ears, “Don’t be mad at me. If I told you, you would have overacted, trying to sell this. The element of surprise makes it look more real. Now sit next to each other and chat…about something neutral.”
“Um. How was your day?” Rio asks, leaning a little into me.
A strong waft of his cologne drifts to me. “It was okay. I was a little nervous about this.”
Damn, he smells good.
“Me too. Maybe it’s a good thing. We’re too nervous to fight.”
It makes me laugh. “You’re right. I don’t think I’ve got much fight in me right now, anyway. The internet has so much smoke for me, it’s unbelievable. Adina did an interview today.”
His lips flatten. “I saw. I can’t believe she would do that to you.”
It’s the same thing I have been saying to myself, but I shrug. “She thinks I betrayed her.”
“She knows you didn’t because she knows Thierry was the one who kissed you. You didn’t consent, just like you didn’t take that drug on purpose. You don’t deserve this.”
His gaze is so warm I have to look away.
We stick to bottled sparkling water and chit-chat about the game. The Knicks are battling, but this is not as bad as I dreaded all day.
“Were you in the studio today?”
He nods. “I recorded a remix today. It was one of the tracks that didn’t make it to the album, but I’m releasing it in the deluxe extended version. It’s insane.”
“Oh. What song?”
He turns from the court to me. “It’s called ‘Si Tu me Dejas.’”
“If you leave me?”
“Nope. If you let me.” The way his eyes glow when he says that, and the way his lips pucker the P, sends currents through my body.
I so don’t like that…
“You want to hear it?” he asks.
I frown at him. “Hell yeah.”
“I didn’t know. You hate me.”
“Not your music, though,” I say without thinking.
Shit.
I start to apologize, but the smile that blooms on his lips makes my cheeks tingle.
“This is great, kids. I’m proud of you. I think it’s time we kick it up a notch.
Luna, you’re going to watch the game, and I want you to be aware of the angles and appear as though you’re thinking deeply.
Rio, I want you to touch her hand when I say go.
After he touches your hand, Luna, turn your head to look up at him slowly.
I’m going to count to seven, and you will hold each other’s gaze for five seconds like you don’t have twenty-five thousand people around you. ”
I look away as she tells me, and I keep trying to concentrate on counting the seconds, but my eyes focus across the court, where I spot Adina and Thierry sitting together.
Sadness takes over me. This is something we would have told each other and spent hours trying to choose the perfect outfit for her.
Instead, she’s releasing interviews about what she calls my betrayal and staring me down as the players travel back and forth on the court. My eyes begin to burn.
“Go,” Maeven orders, and when Rio’s fingers slide over mine, I almost jump.
Instead, I force myself to focus on the task at hand, turning slowly until I’m staring into the brown haze of his eyes. My pulse quickens, and my lips drift apart. He smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back.
And then he leans in…to kiss me?
Oh shit.
* * *
Rio
Luna’s warm breath brushes over my lower lip, stirring an ache inside my chest. Her lips are so close that I can almost taste them—I’m thinking a mix of her cinnamon gum and sweetness.
“Luna,” her name slips out like it does in my dreams, and her lips part.
She wants it. I want it. Badly.
“Don’t kiss her,” Maeven whispers in our ears.
The need is so strong I inch closer. Luna licks her lips. It’s subtle, but the darting out of her tongue…that flash of pink stirs every inch of me in an invitation I can’t refuse.
“Do. Not. Kiss. Her,” Maeven snaps this time, her voice louder. “It will be more powerful if you don’t.
I want it so bad I can’t think straight. Luna has to decide, and I urge her with my eyes to greenlight me. Say yes.