I laugh and lean forward, hands beside her head as I brush my lips over hers.
“Your whole face smells like my vagina.” Her brow furrows, and her eyes flare. “The whole room probably does.”
There’s a knock on the studio door. Because I locked it when I first let us in.
She shoves at my chest. “They’re here!”
I hop to my feet. Tally sits up in a rush, then puts out both hands and folds forward.
“Stay there, I’ll let them in.”
“They’re going to smell my vag on you.” Her forehead touches the floor between her legs. She doesn’t seem overly concerned.
I scrub a hand over my face before I open the door. Arya and Charles stand on the other side, wide-eyed. “Hey. Talls is just warming up. I’m heading next door to grab coffees. Can I get you two anything special? Latte? Flavored latte?”
“Um, yes, sure, thank you. Please. Flip Madden. Wow. Hi. I’m Charles. I don’t really understand the rules, but I am a fan of hockey and especially the warmups.” His eyes lift to my hair. I didn’t check my reflection before I opened the door.
“Oh my God, Charles,” Arya mutters, but her eyes are also on my hair.
I step aside and let them into the studio. Tally’s cheeks are red as she turns to face them, hand raised in a floppy wave.
“I’ll be back with breakfast and coffees,” I call.
But they’re no longer focused on me.
“Oh, you naughty girl,” Charles says as the door closes. “You’re my new hero.”
CHAPTER 35
FLIP
Iput my phone on speaker as I hit dial. After I dropped off the coffees, I went on a little shopping spree for my girlfriend. I want to surprise Tally with something nice and I’m hoping to get some help from her roommate.
Lexi answers on the second ring. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” I assure her.
“Fee said you picked up Tally last night. There’s a viral video floating around and it looked like utter madness.” The worry in her tone hits me hard.
“The girls are okay. They got out safely. How’s Vander Zee?” I ask.
“Worried. We all are. What the hell are media doing at a university campus? Where was security?” Lexi asks.
“I’m looking to get some answers this morning. I just dropped Tally off at her dance studio.”
“She’s okay?”
“She’s rattled. It’s a lot of stress, but she’s safe and that’s what’s important. I want to surprise Tally with something nice, and I wondered if I could get Fee’s number from you.” I explainthat I’m hoping to bring it up to her apartment so it’s there when she gets home.
“Of course. That’s sweet of you, Flip.”
“Just trying to be a good boyfriend.”
“The media sure don’t make it easy for you.”
“No, they do not,” I agree.
Lexi sends me Fee’s contact, and I call her as I approach the university campus.
