Ouch. Alright, back to work. See you shortly.
Twenty minutes later, we pull into the valet line at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and head over to the red carpet. As we walk toward the swarm of paparazzi and camera flashes, I spot Sophia and Wyatt. He’s in all black. His pants are slim and hugging those thighs I seem to be obsessed with. He’s in a button-down shirt with no tie and the top two buttonsopen. It looks like he hasn’t shaved since yesterday, and it’s just amping up the sex appeal.
He runs his hands through his hair as he searches the room and turns and sees me across the atrium. Our eyes lock for a minute before I watch him slide those steel-blue eyes up my dress and down again with a look of appreciation.
It reminds me of when we first met. When we looked at each other, it was like we were hypnotized. It took too long for us to stop staring at one another. He was so beautiful. Every time he came to the clubhouse after a round of golf, he would make it a point to sit in my section, and we’d talk until he had to leave or my shift was up.
But then I saw Holly sitting at his table, and her hands were all over him. I saw how he looked at her and laughed with her, and I immediately backed off. I was convinced I’d misread my connection with Wyatt and shifted my desire for him into the biggest champion for the two of them to date.
I break eye contact and look around the red carpet to see if my ex is here. Thankfully, there’s no sign of him.
Grant places his hand on my lower back and guides me to the edge of the carpet, next to Sophia and Wyatt. Wyatt watches Grant’s hand and flicks his eyes to me as his jaw tenses.
“Blair, so nice to see you again,” Wyatt says.
Sophia turns with a smile on her face and immediately pulls me into a hug.
“Thank you so much for the passes. I’m obsessed with this show!” She says.
“Of course! Sophia, I wanted to introduce you to Grant Hall. He’s head of creative at Wonderland Studios. Grant, this is Sophia Ford.”
Grant takes Sophia’s hand, and she gets his full attention, which is surprising since he’s usually distracted by all the noise.
“Even more beautiful in person. Sophia, I’m honored to meet you.”
Sophia immediately blushes, and I catch Wyatt rolling his eyes as he turns away.
“And this is Sophia’s brother, Wyatt.”
Grant reaches out to shake Wyatt’s hand.
“Nice to meet Blair’s other half,” Wyatt spits out, almost angry.
I think my mouth drops open, but thankfully, Grant steps in to answer.
“Oh, we’re not together. Blair and I have been good friends since she started at TWA.” He smiles at Wyatt. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to mix business and pleasure, but if I did, she’d definitely be one to catch.” Grant gives me a wink, and I snap my mouth shut for fear I’ll say something I regret.
Wyatt gives me another look to see if I’ll confirm that fact, and I offer him a small smile, along with a slight look of rage. He nods and places his hand on Sophia’s back to escort her down the carpet.
“Someone’s jealous,” Grant whispers in my ear.
“He’s not jealous. He’s nosy. I’m trying to sign Sophia, and he’s playing the protective-older-brother game.” Hopefully, Grant doesn’t notice how I keep glancing at Wyatt. It’s a dead giveaway that I’m excited at the idea that Wyatt could be jealous.
“Ok. Whatever you say.” Thankfully, Grant drops the topic. “Sophia seems nice. I’ve not had the chance to work with her yet.” I watch his gaze follow her down the carpet.
I would think more of it, but he rarely dates—even less now that he has full custody of his six-year-old daughter.
Grant and I make our way down the red carpet, and just when I think I’m in the clear, a journalist stops me as we’re stepping off the line. I tell Grant to go on in and I’ll catch up with him. Thankfully, it’s a simple question about the ladies inPink Slip. It’s a quick exchange, but the distraction means I don’t realize Billy and Kandi have arrived and are right behind me until it’s too late.
“Baby girl! How are you? So good to see you.” He kisses me on both cheeks in the most pretentious way as I awkwardly try to lean away from him. “You know Kandi, right?”
I twist my lips into what I hope is a smile and realize that I’m only nodding my head. I look around and notice all the flashes and cameras facing our way and start to panic. The last thing I want is to be photographed with them. Why did I send Grant away?
Kandi places her arms around his neck and leans in to kiss him—I’m guessing to claim him because she thinks my silence is jealousy. I should say something, but my mind is blank. When I’m about to turn and run from the scene, I feel a hand on my elbow, and it’s Wyatt, smiling at the photographers.
“Excuse me for interrupting. I need to steal this beauty away for a minute.” He puts his arm around my waist and places a kiss on my temple as he guides me through the crowd. We walk into the nearest bathroom, and once we’re inside, he turns to lock the door, and his arm traps me against it.
He bends down to look into my eyes, and his hand comes under my chin, lifting my face so I’m looking at him.
