“I work at the studio in the legal department to aid my studies and Jim sponsors me. I am very grateful to him and I feel I’ve let him down by not taking better care of you.”
“Don’t worry about it, he probably won’t even notice,” she said, not even convincing herself.
“He notices everything and is very protective of things he cares about and he seems to really care for you, Tasha.”
She smiled and had to agree with Juan, but she didn’t want to think about that or the possible consequences to it.
“All done.” Juan patted her shoulder. It looked a little odd, but hopefully not too noticeable.
“Who is Donny?” she asked curiously.
“The owner of the salon who is desperate to get into the Hollywood scene, so Philip is his link to Jim, but if his staff piss him off by pawing his girlfriend, he would be really mad.”
“I see. Will you dance?” Tasha offered her hand.
Juan nodded. “Love to. Come on.” He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
A short while later they both became aware of a very drunk Philip waving his phone around in their general direction. They both laughed as he attempted to mimic their moves from behind his camera.
“He does this every time, then tomorrow he will laugh about my dancing when he can barely stand.”
“Maybe we should go. He is very drunk and it’s almost two.”
Juan nodded, offered her his hands to steady herself as she disembarked from the podium she’d been occupying.
The taxi dropped them outside Philip’s door where Tasha asked Juan, “Do you need a hand with him?”
“Do you mind?” He looked at his boyfriend who really was out for the count.
“No, course not. He definitely looks like a two-person job.”
With one of them each side they almost carried Philip indoors.
“Where to?” asked Tasha.
“Sofa. I am not sharing a bed with him in that state.”
They lay him down on the sofa where Juan covered Philip with a blanket and allowed his disapproval to disappear and be replaced with a smile. “He is such a lame party animal, but I do love him.”
“That’s nice. You make a nice couple.”
“Thanks, as do you and Jim, but you are not a lame party animal. Let me walk you home.” He was already taking her arm.
She laughed, shaking him off. “I am only going next door.”
“I insist, it’s what Jim would expect and he will be pissed enough at Phil without him getting pissed at me for not walking you back and with you for not wanting me to.”
He offered Tasha his arm again. She grabbed her phone from her bag and text quickly as they walked.
An instant reply came back.
Jim stood at the open the front door and as Juan appeared to be handing her over he gave the older man some money.
“Your change.”
