Gemma twists around, planting her hand firmly on the rug. “He took you out back?” she asks.
I nod, switching feet.
“So, you got a chance to speak to him? That’s great! Did he have fun?”
“Yeah, he did. I can’t believe how much stuff they have to pack and unpack for every gig. It’s seriously impressive. I got to play his guitar,” I gloat, pumping my eyebrows. “You’re looking at the next Paul McCartney.”
“Ugh, there’s something so sexy about musicians.”
“Amen.”
Ping.
I reach over to grab my phone from the coffee table, and my pulse kicks up as James’s name flashes on the screen.
“Who is it?” Gemma narrows her eyes as she watches me intently.
“It’s James.”
“Oooh, what did he say?” she asks, leaning forward.
“I haven’t opened it yet …” I trail off, staring at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. “But I feel like I should tell you what happened tonight.”
Her brows shoot up, and she air quotes, “What do you mean, ‘What happened tonight’?”
I pull my knees to my chest and spill the whole story, starting with me walking out of the ladies’ room, then James sucking my finger, and ending with Tom walking in just as we were about to kiss.
Her eyes bulge. “Read the bloody message, will you!”
I bite my lip, tapping the screen as his message illuminates.
James:I can’t stop thinking about how badly I want that kiss.
I tilt the screen towards Gemma, letting her read the message. She lets out a low whistle. “Oh, hedefinitelywants you.”
“You think?” I ask, my voice betraying the flicker of hope I’m attempting to hide.
“Iknow.If it were me, I’d go over there.”
“What? I can’t go over now. It’s almost 1:30 a.m.”
“Which is precisely why youshouldgo over there.”
I close my eyes, battling the truth that’s itching to escape, but I lose the fight. “Gemma, we both know what’s going to happen if I go over there.”
“Exactly. That’s the whole point.”
Nibbling the inside of my cheek, I try to untangle the mess in my mind.
Do I want to sleep with James? Of course, I do—I’m only human. James is gorgeous, charming, and the chemistry between us is undeniable. But he’sLucas’s brother. We were engaged not even a year ago. What Lucas did to me was unforgivable, but would sleeping with his brother make me just as bad?
Am I giving in to a fleeting desire that will only lead to more heartbreak? That night in the Uber changed things. Or, if I’m being honest, maybe this started earlier. But a few stolen glances here and there didn’t mean anything—it was innocent, nothing serious. But my situation has changed.
I’m single now.
If I go down this road, it won’t just be harmless or playful flirting.
It’ll be real. Tangible.
