“Please.” I exhale heavily pinching the bridge of my nose. “Please just check on her and make sure she’s okay.”
She gives me a quick nod and walks off in the direction that Rhiannon went.
By the time the director moves on to finalize the video with the second model, Rhiannon’s still not back and neither is Rosie. The scene shifts, the director and Rebel go over a few more key details and finally, Rhiannon reemerges with no Rosie in sight.
She’s wrapped in a blanket, oversized sunglasses hiding her face. She looks composed—or at least, she’s trying to be—but I can’t stop noticing the subtle tension in her posture, the way she’s avoiding looking at anyone directly.
The moment filming ends, I start to move, my body drawn toward her like a magnet. I’m ready to throw my arms aroundher, to see if she’s alright, but before I can reach her, Billy grabs my arm, pulling me aside.
“Hey, Cain. Do you have a few minutes for us to discuss the Skelter Rayne case?”
I look at Rhiannon, then back at Billy, already knowing I can’t tell him no. Skelter’s a potential client—a big win in my dad’s eyes if I can land him. And even though every part of me wants to put work aside and choose her right now, I don’t. I can’t. And that realization guts me. Because I want to be the kind of man who’s worthy of having her, but I’ll never be unless I put work second.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “What’s going on?”
Skelter Rayne is one of Billy’s clients who’s based out of Los Angeles and recently found himself in a bit of trouble after losingNew Artist of the Yearat an awards ceremony and then trashing his hotel room. I know he’s looking for representation for the case, I’m just not sure if my family’s law firm is the right place.
After twenty minutes of conversation with Billy where we talk through potential strategy and the details of his case, I finally get Billy to calm down enough and assure him it’s something I can look into.
Finally, I get a break to go find Rhiannon and hope that she hasn’t left yet. Except when I spot her, it’s even worse. Rebel and her are in the corner, his arm draped around her shoulders way too comfortably as they chat quietly.
I consider how much legal trouble I’d find myself in if I yank him off. If I make a claim on her that I don’t deserve.
I head their direction anyway, afraid of what I’m about to find.
“Hey,” I say nodding to them both as I approach with hands tucked in my suit pants to keep me from crossing a line.
“Oh, hey man. You’re my new lawyer, right?” Rebel asks.
I nod and hold out my hand. “Cain Prescott. We met a few months ago.”
He shakes my hand but keeps his other wrapped tightly around Rhiannon. I can’t tell from the unreadable expression on her face if it makes her uncomfortable. At least she’s smiling now.
“Great job on set today. Both of you.”
She gives me a small smile. “Thanks.”
Rebel squeezes her shoulder affectionately like they’re best friends and didn’t just meet.
“Yeah, Rhiannon’s a star. She’s really going to take the final version of this video to the next level.”
“That she will,” I murmur softly, gaze locked on hers.
I hear Billy call for Rebel from behind me causing him to finally release her shoulders. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow then?” he asks her.
Rhiannon nods. “Yep. Sounds good.”
When Rebel is out of ear shot, I turn to her, arms folded across my chest. “What’s tomorrow?”
“Rebel asked me to meet up with him to discuss a new clothing line he’s launching.” She shrugs casually like it’s no big deal. “We’re going to get dinner and talk about his campaign ideas. He wants me to model for it when it’s time.”
My brows raise because as his lawyer, this is news to me, and all new business endeavors have to funnel through us first.
“Is that really why he wants to meet up with you?”
She scowls and reaches for her purse. “Of course. Why else?”
“Because he’s into you. He wants to make this into a date. Probably wants to fuck you too.”
