He takes a finger and tucks a strand that’s become loose behind my ear. His gentle touch makes me tremble. “You’d never be less. No matter what you wear. And I didn’t know. I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.”
I nod. The unexpected emotion in his voice makes my heart turn over.
He finally starts moving again. But his hand stays on my back.
I focus on not falling in my stilettos. But the light-headed feeling doesn’t leave. It’s just because I skipped lunch and haven’t had time to eat dinner.
The problem is, I’m not good at lying, even to myself.
CHAPTER 20
Sebastian
The photo line goes quickly.Cycling through the range of poses and expressions is something I could do in my sleep. Emma’s slipped back onto the sidelines, waiting.
The whole idea for tonight is to have her feel special, feel like more than an employee. And it’s backfired. I’d hoped to show her I could be considerate. Instead, I once again made her life harder because I didn’t think about what my request would mean for her.
Chase and Ronan join me so the stars of the film can be photographed together.
“Am I a selfish ass?” I ask my costars in between pictures.
Ronan grunts out a laugh.
Chase raises an eyebrow. “Is that a rhetorical question?”
I stare at Emma. Olivia has joined her, along with my former roommate, rock star Ryder Black, and his girlfriend, Daisy.
Emma twirls, showing off her dress. I love her pleased expression as her friends gush over her. She’s beautiful anddeserves the attention. Unfortunately, as her boss, it’s not my job to tell her that.
I shake my head to clear it. “What I’m wondering is… can I change?”
Chase’s eyes follow the direction of my gaze. “I think anyone can,” he drawls. “If they want to enough. And to answer your question… You’re not selfish, exactly. But you can be oblivious. Much as I hate to make your ego bigger, you were born rich, famous, and you won the lottery for looks and talent. You’ve never known what it was like to be normal. So you don’t always realize what it’s like for us lesser mortals.”
“Hate to break it to you, Chase, but you’re not a lesser mortal,” I scoff.
He brushes a hand over his chin. “Not anymore. But for a long time, I had nothing. It may have sucked, but it’s given me perspective. You’ve lived your life in a narrow world. So it’s good you’re becoming aware of your blind spots.”
“Is this sudden introspection about Emma quitting?” Ronan asks bluntly.
“Today’s her last day.”
“Quitting looks good on her,” Chase says.
I sigh. “Yeah. She looks amazing. But it’s one of my fuckups. I wanted her to come with me to the premiere for once as my…”
“Your date?” Chase says with a sly grin.
“No. As my… friend. But I didn’t arrange a dress for her. I didn’t even think about what my request would mean. That she’d have to spend her own money on something to wear.”
I say nothing about the tag I found or her plan to return the gown. I know she wouldn’t want that story shared. Guilt churns in my gut.
“You dumb fuck,” Ronan grunts at my admission.
“You’ve never had to do more than the bare minimum. Even Ronan has more game than you.” Chase snickers.
“What the hell is the point of your money if you don’t spoil your woman?” Ronan adds.
“Fuck,” I protest weakly. “But Emma’s not my woman. She’s my employee.”
