“Hello.”
I roll my eyes. “Where’s Jill?”
“She’s getting her hair touched up. We’re picking her up from the salon and heading straight to the theater.”
“Okay, sounds good. Where did you park?”
“I didn’t,” he says simply, gesturing to the big limousine parked off to the side of my building.
Oh. Can’t say I’ve ever been in one of those before. Roman walks to the limo, his long strides eating up the ground in a way that I can’t compete with in heels. After a few seconds he turns, noticing that I’ve fallen behind, and wordlessly he waits until I’ve caught up before he moves again.When we reach the limo, Roman opens the door and gestures for me to get in ahead of him. It’s almost kind, but it’s still coming from Roman, so I’m wary.
“Thanks,” I mutter as I shuffle in. I take a seat at one end of the bench, and Roman takes one at the other. God, we must look ridiculous right now.
We fall into an awkward silence as the vehicle pulls out onto the road and speeds toward wherever Jill is. With a sigh, I move to put my earrings in. But as the limo takes a few bumps and turns, it’s increasingly difficult to actually get them in properly.
Blowing out an agitated breath, I try once more, and it still doesn’t work. I put my hands in my lap and look up at the ceiling. Stupid earrings.
“Do you need a hand?” Roman offers. Reflexively, I’m tempted to spew something sarcastic back at him, but I could actually use the help. Even though I haven’t answered yet, Roman is up and moves to sit directly beside me. The heat rolling off of his body makes me realize how cold I am in here. I’m tempted to lean into him, but that would obviously be weird, so I refrain.
“Fine,” I admit, handing him the shining silver crescents. Pulling my hair to the side, I turn toward him so he can place the earrings in. I must have missed a few strands, because his fingertips softly trace the skin of my neck and pull more strands back. His touch leaves goosebumps across my skin.
He quickly helps get each earring in and then says nothing of it. Instead, he moves away from me, back to his original seat.
There’s an awkwardness that hangs heavy in the air after the moment we shared. Why did he have to move away? I have no idea how the hell we’re ever supposed to make this work if we can’t even sit beside each other.
Before I get the chance to break the silence, the limo pulls to a stop, and the door pulls back to a smiling Jill.
“Hey, you two!” Jill hops in quickly and sits in the space between me and Roman, oblivious to the awkwardness, or simply steamrolling past it. “Clover, you look beautiful!” Jill takes in my dress and whacks Roman on the arm. “Tell me you told her she looks beautiful.”
Roman clears his throat. “You look beautiful tonight, Clover.”
Jill groans. “Oh my God, Roman, would it kill you to ever give a lady a compliment?”
“Can’t have it going to her head,” he grumbles.
Chapter Eighteen
ROMAN
Of course she looks beautiful tonight. She’s fucking stunning. Always has been, much to my annoyance. Tonight’s no different. The way the fabric of that dress wraps around her has me thinking things I should not be thinking about my co-star. My co-star who despises me, no less. It’s why I sat as far away from her as the limo would allow. Her fruity and floral scent is fucking with my head.
When I found out that Jill had invited Clover,irritatedwould be an understatement. Unfortunately for me, Jill made an excellent case for it being good exposure for us, and I couldn’t argue that. Not that she’d let me argue, I’m sure. For some reason, Jill seems to be insistent on spending time with the redhead who races through my thoughts.
The girls chat away as we pull up to the theater, and when the door to the limo opens, Jill pops out and flashes what I’m sure is her signature megawatt smile. I flex and close my hands a few times, a nervous habit, and then follow her out. While Jill steps forward and waves at the sea of photographers and fans lining the red carpet, I hold my hand out for Clover.
Her small, soft hand glides into mine. A perfect fit.That is until she squeezes the living daylights out of my hand. Clearly wasn’t a fan of my comment in the limo, I see. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of acknowledging what she’s doing, so I pull her forward toward where my brother stands on the red carpet.
“See you over there, sweetheart,” Clover says in a sickly sweet voice as she gestures toward the theater doors. She drops my hand like a hot rock and heads over to where Jill is posing for photos.
“Wow… she’s uh…” James struggles for the right word.
“I know,” I sigh.
“Buddy, I think you’re in for a ride,” he admits before pulling me in for a quick hug. Don’t I ever know it. Our first stunt rehearsal next week should be interesting.
Chapter Nineteen
ROMAN
