“Do you have any tattoos?” I ask.
She shakes her head.
Taking a guess, I ask, “Are they too unladylike?”
Theyesis obvious in her eyes. “Has there ever been a design you’ve really liked?” I try instead.
She lets out a noncommittal hum. “To be honest, I’ve never even considered the question.” Her hand continues to trace over my skin as she adds, “But this is a very sweet tattoo, Nico.”
I can’t stop staring at her. “Have you ever had a pet?”
She shakes her head. “No. My parents weren’t fond of animals. And even living on my own now… I don’t know, I’ve never really felt like I’m ready for one.”
“You could foster,” I suggest. “Those are temporary. You could get a feel for pet parent life.”
I can’t read her expression. I touched on something, I just don’t know what.
“Maybe,” she says, pulling her hand away. I wish she hadn’t.
“So I’ll…call you?” I ask, my voice too high. Maybe I’m just overcompensating for the fact that I know I won’t be callingher, but the agency.
The smile she gives me is a mask. I know it, and she knows it. “I’ll be waiting.”
And then she quickly leans up to press a kiss on my cheek before rushing out the door.
I don’t move from my spot for a while.
The next morning, I’m still in the hotel room, bleary-eyed from sleep, when my phone rings.
Lucas.I answer it with a groan.
“Why are you calling me this early,” I croak out.
A pause. “Brother, it’s 9 a.m. I’ve already won two cases in court. Why areyoustill sleeping.”
I blink my eyes open. “Because sleep is more important than making rich bastards richer?”
“Sounds like something a not-rich bastard would say.”
I roll my eyes. “Lucas, you’re my manager. With full access to my bank account. What’s your definition of rich if not that?”
“Mybank account.”
I let out a heavy breath and drag a hand down my face. “Dude, why are you calling me?”
“Ironically, in manager capacity,” he says dryly. “Your PR girl called me because she had an idea.” A pause. “She said you’re in New York?”
I hesitate. I haven’t exactly shared with my brotherswhyI’m in New York. “I am.”
Another pause. “Okay… Why?”
“I’ve been training up here,” I answer simply.
I should’ve known that wouldn’t be enough to convince Lucas. The guy’s like a bloodhound. “That doesn’t explain why you’re sleeping up there.”
Wincing, I tell him a half-lie. “I’ve been…seeing a girl here.”
“Ah,” I hear through the phone, his smugness obvious. “That’s the big picture I was looking for. Is she hot? Does she have any friends?”
