“Tell Jae I wish him good luck for tomorrow.”
“You should tell him yourself. He’d love to hear from you. He needs to hear from you.”
“I know.”
“Call him.”
Dillon nodded. “I will. But not right now. Our future model needs his beauty sleep. We’ll talk soon, okay?”
“Think about my offer.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I closed the video conferencing programme and went to turn my laptop off. I hesitated. I’d been trying to think of something fun to do for Jae after the open-call audition. Just like with the circus tent blanket fort, it needed to be something that could congratulate or commiserate. Perhaps a striptease? We’d been joking about it for almost three weeks now.
I spent a while remembering the tracks I’d danced to while working as a stripper, downloading and listening to them. I planned my routine by prancing around with headphones on and my phone in my hand. I was so used to working out for a living that I’d forgotten how much fun dancing—and stripping—was.
I still needed an outfit, though. What I needed was a suit. Jae had said I looked sexy wearing one. Not a real suit but one designed for strippers. I returned to my laptop but struggled to find a shop in London that sold stripper suits. I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was mildly annoyed. What I did find was a tailor who did a same-day service. It wasn’t cheap, but I could afford it. Besides, seeing Jae’s face as I stripped for him would be priceless. I filled in their online booking form and crossed my fingers that they’d see it first thing in the morning and honour the last-minute appointment.
I still had a half-finished film to watch, but I was too tired to care. Besides, I wanted to be up to make breakfast for Jae, wish him luck, and kiss him goodbye. I left my laptop on the coffee table and went downstairs to my room.
Our room.
It sounded good in my head. I only hoped it would be our room permanently rather than temporarily.
I got ready for bed and slipped under the covers beside Jae. He murmured and snuggled up to me without waking. I wrapped my arms around him, happy to be tangled up in him by morning. I’d never been so content as I was with him.
“I love you.”
I kissed his forehead and watched him sleep for a while. His features were serene in the near darkness. As I held him in my arms, I realised that I was the luckiest guy on earth.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
JAE
I’d been queuing for over an hour when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the screen. My heart leapt into my throat. It was Dillon. My entire body tensed.
“Hi, Dillon.” I tried to keep my voice light and happy, but I could hear the nervous edge to my brief salutation.
“Chill out. I’m not calling to yell or anything. I wanted to wish you luck today.”
My shoulders relaxed a little. My muscles ached from being so rigid.
“I know how much this opportunity means to you, so I’ve got everything that can be crossed, crossed.”
“Thanks, Dillon.”
“Also, I wanted to say that you and Xander have my blessing. Not that you need it, obviously. I’m happy for you.”
“Not weirded out anymore?”
“Oh, I’m still weirded out. I probably will be for a while. But I’ll get over myself. I love you. Both of you. I’m pretty sure you’re going to be sickeningly perfect together.” I heard Dillon take a deep breath. “I didn’t want you going to the open call at McKay’s worrying about what I was thinking.”
“Thanks. You’re the best friend ever.”
“Eh, I have my flaws.”
