“Which is why you do Roxie’s stream,” Cam said.
“It will be live,” Roxie said, calm in her softly, softly approach.“It will be us.Just you and me talking.And if you get nervous or want to change the subject, I have no trouble pivoting.A lot of people are asking about Zairn and me right now.”
“People always ask about you and Z.”
“Because we’re beautiful.”
“And rich.”
“We’re charming,” Roxie retorted.
“And scandalous.”
“Some might say interesting.”
Cam almost snickered.“Car crash TV.”
“Hmm…” Roxie’s eyes narrowed.“I think I’ll ask Thena to change your last name.”
He laughed.“Because I’m ruining it for your future godchildren?There’s a good chance they’ll be my future godchildren too.”
“Co-godparenting?With you?Nope.”Roxie’s head turned to the side in an abrupt half shake.“I cannot co-parent with someone who thinks restricting intimacy is a valid life choice.”
“Any decision our godchildren make will be supported, by both of us, don’t pretend otherwise.”
She liked the semi-smile Cam always wore around Roxie.The woman warmed him up, as she did others.Being around, Roxie put people at ease and played, and though they hadn’t known each other long, Ariella knew, one hundred percent, that Cam was right.Knox said Roxie would go to war for Jane?She’d likely go to war for anyone on the right side of history.
“As long as there’s no undue pressure,” Roxie said, narrowing her eyes on him.“I’ll be watching you, Young Collier.”
“Expect nothing less,” he said.“Are we going to vet these questions?Talk too much longer and you won’t make it to Crimson until tomorrow… or the next day.”
“My words are all I have.”
“That and your bank balance, your beauty, your popularity—”
“You are in a real zinger of a mood today,” Roxie said, then let out a laugh.“I love it.You should be like this all the time.”
“I live to please.”
He did.He lived to please her, just as she did in return.Was that her?Them?That brought the glow in his expression and optimism in his tone?
They didn’t have all the answers.Yet.They’d get there… if they ever got a chance to talk about it.
TWENTY-EIGHT
CAM WAS RIGHT about how little could be done to create the illusion of a full night out.In tow with Roxie, Ariella did a circuit of Crimson’s VIP floor.Waved from above to the masses on the main floor.And got through a drink and a dance, both of which, she was told, could be made to look like several.After the whirlwind that carried her along for the ride, she was surprised, though relieved, when they got back around to the door and Roxie said they could go.
Until then, it hadn’t occurred to her how exhausting Roxie’s life must be.The woman was always on and still managed to prioritize so many others.It had to be harder when she’d just said goodbye to her husband too.
“Do you miss him?”Ariella asked as they descended the club stairs toward the exit.
“Yes.”Without questioning who she was talking about, Roxie flashed a smile over her shoulder.Zairn had to be in her head all the time.Now that was love.“Every minute.”They stopped at the bottom of the stairs.Roxie looped their arms together to whisper in her ear.“But don’t ever tell him that.He already has a problem with showing his ego.Don’t worry, I’m on it.It’s a constant battle, but we’ll get there.”
Security opened the exit door as Roxie stepped out.A half dozen guys dressed in black kept the crowd in check.Sort of.Calling out, screaming for Roxie, the fans didn’t care about the barriers.They squashed up against the metal like determination could remove it.If the mob rushed it, an accident, a serious catastrophe could follow.And Roxie would be swamped.How would Zairn feel about her security then?Let’s hope there was no chance that question would ever be answered.
The back door of the waiting limo was open and closed after she and Roxie slipped inside.Two unexpected Collier brothers sat ready to receive them.
“Is this a surprise?”she asked Cam, settling next to him.
