“What’s a sign?” I ask when she disentangles herself from me, leaving me cold and empty.
“That this”—she gestures between us—“isn’t a good thing.”
Fuck the universe.
“I think this is telling me all I need to know.” I clench my jaw, bringing my hand to her chest and placing it over her heart. “And that racing heart is for me. I’ll argue with the fucking world if it tells me otherwise.”
Taking a step away from her when all I want to do is step closer, I nod my chin over my shoulder. “Ready to smile, Drakos?”
* * *
She’s feeling insecure about herself. I can tell by the way she’s folding into herself whenever she’s not being photographed. I don’t miss the way her hand slightly shakes when she’s told to place it in mine. When the team around us signals our small break, I walk over to the woman who seems to be running the shoot tonight.
“What can I do for you, Levi?”
“I need you to explain to me how this shoot makes any sense. I understand this is a lingerie brand, but how come I’m fully clothed and she’s not? Why am I even in this if I’m not representing the brand?”
“You are wearing the brand.” She points to my chest. “They make designer clothing as well. And I understand your confusion.” She gives me a smile, but I’m not buying any of her bullshit. “The black outfit you’re wearing contrasts perfectly with her bright pink one-piece. Makes you guys represent what people call you—the grump and the sunshine.”
Giving her my signature blank stare, I take a step closer and lower my voice. “You see that girl over there?” I say, watching as Amelia hugs her torso while looking down at the ground like a sad puppy. “She doesn’t like this shit, so when her messed up label says she can do another shoot for your brand, half-naked, you’d better deny the offer. Because I know how to make someone happy through my music, but I also know how to make someone feel miserable … you get me?”
She nods frantically as a smirk makes its way to my face.
“Good. Glad we cleared this all up.” I leave her side as she scurries away in fear.
“What did you do?” Amelia sneers when I reach her side.
“What?” I fake innocence. “I was just having a conversation.”
“She looks scared,” she points out, looking over my shoulder.
“I’m a really nice person.” I shrug, giving her a smirk. “Beats me why she seems so terrified after talking to me.”
“You are the furthest thing from nice.”
I stand in front of her almost-naked body, blocking her from everyone’s sight. The only person allowed to see her like this should beme. I hate every man in this room right now.
“Keep acting like you’re not glad to have met me. It’s humorous.”
“I’ll never forget the first time we met. But I’ll keep trying.” Her mouth twitches at the side as her eyes twinkle with mischief.
This girl and her jokes …
“All right, Miss Joke Book, lay another one on me.”
I twirl a piece of her blonde hair around my finger, and she bites her lip.
“Roses are red. Violets are blue. I’ve got five fingers, and the middle one is for you.”
How she came up with that out of the blue blows my mind. No wonder she’s number one on the charts. But I’d still never say that out loud.
I growl, my voice thick with amusement, “You’re truly one of a kind, One-Hit Wonder.”
She waves her finger in my face, and her seriousness makes my guard come down. “I think you’re mistaking me for yourself, mister.”
“All right, let’s get this show on the road. Can we have Miss Drakos and Mr. Miller back in place, please?” the photographer says, not even looking up from his camera, ruining our moment once again.
Maybe Amelia is right. Everyone keeps interrupting our moments. It’s frustrating as hell.
