“Okay. I’ll let fate guide me.”
“Right into his bed,” she laughed.
“Enough! Goodbye!”
I disconnected the call and stared at my reflection.
Tonight was going to be epic, no matter what.
“She’s incredible,” Harrison said, speaking right into my ear so I could hear him over the screams of a bazillion Scarlet Rush fans. “I’ve been missing out.”
Scarlet had just kicked off the concert with her last mega-hit, and I could’ve sworn I saw Harrison mouthing the words.
“This is the best night ever,” I replied.
It really was, for so many reasons. The way Harrison had looked at me in my new dress, the way he’d placed his hand low on my back as we made our way through the crowds to our VIP box seats. And yes, seeing Scarlet perform the songs I’d loved for years as well as new numbers I was falling in love with already.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Harrison said. “I like seeing you like this. All worked up and excited, having the time of your life.”
The weight of his gaze left me lightheaded. Was the undercurrent between us heightened, or was it just the energy in the stadium?
It wasn’t like we had the privacy to cash in on the tension brewing between us, seeing as the box was filled with other VIP fans. I saw a fashion blogger I knew from TikTok, a designer who’d outfitted Scarlet for the Met Ball, and an older womanin sunglasses I knew I recognized from somewhere but couldn’t place where.
The box was a decadent treat. I was used to sitting in the nosebleeds with Sarah on the rare occasions we went to a concert, so the cushy leather seats, incredible view of the stage and meal service were the stuff of dreams. And watching Scarlet strut her stuff so close?
Yeah, I could no longer hide the fact that I was a rabid fan. I didn’t stop myself from screaming along with the rest of them.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” Harrison said. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head. “Nope. I’m perfect.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up as he watched me for a beat. “Yeah. Agreed.”
My heart thumped. There was no misinterpreting what he meant.
I refocused on Scarlet, who was talking about learning to play piano when she was a girl. I already knew the story by heart.
I felt Harrison’s warm hand slide around my shoulders and pull me close. I turned to smile at him and froze when I saw who was actually manhandling me.
“Ben?”
“Hey there, stranger! I haven’t seen you in forever.”
He wrapped me in a hug I didn’t want then peeled away to look me up and down.
“You lookincredible! Wow.”
“You look…the same.”
It was all I could manage to say. I was a little dumbstruck in his presence. Ben was every inch the magnetic celebrity, and he used his charm like a weapon.
He laughed good naturedly. “Nice to hear. I was worried I packed on a few pounds while I was in Italy.” He patted his stomach.
“Right,” I nodded. “You’ve been filming withKate.”
For Hollywood, they had what counted as a successful relationship—still going strong, even though they’d been together for years. But that didn’t mean it was smooth sailing. The rumors from the set told of epic fights and make-up sex in their trailers.
He grimaced. “Yeah, it’s been a real experience. Anyway, let’s talk aboutyou. What are you doing here?”
