“It’s…‘complicated’ is probably the right word for it, yeah. Working together so closely for so many years…it’s an intense relationship, for sure. Almost like an arranged marriage, in some ways. We’ve definitely been through the wringer. But no, there’s nothing going on.”
Even as she said it, she flashed guiltily to that night in the Airbnb, their phone call on Christmas, the sweaty dreams she’d been having about him since. But for all intents and purposes, she was telling the truth: there was nothing going on between her and Shane. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here with other people.
Maybe saying it to Kent would help her believe it.
Kent nodded slowly. “It’s a strange profession you’re in. In my line of work, bringing emotion into things is seen as a sign of weakness. But for you, you have to keep yours easily accessible, all on the surface. I could never do that.” He hesitated. “I actually almost backed out of this when I found out you were an actor. I’ve never been involved with one before. I always thought I’d get all jealous and insecure, watching them pretend to be in love with someone else.”
Lilah cocked her head, surprised. She’d encountered thatbrand of jealousy before, but usually not until it was too late and they were already fighting about it. Something about how candid and up front he was about it caught her off guard.
“So, what made you change your mind?”
Kent grinned. “Wendy spoke very highly of you. Said you were a real ballbuster.”
Lilah bit back a smile, more charmed than she expected. “Not always. Depends on the balls. I’m surprised that was a selling point for you.”
“Not always. Depends on who’s doing the busting.”
He met her eyes with a teasing glance, and for the first time all night, she felt a rush of attraction. Better late than never.
At that moment, his phone buzzed insistently in his jacket. He pulled it out and grimaced.
“Shit. I’m sorry to do this, but I actually need to head out.”
Lilah was surprised to feel a stab of disappointment. “Really? You’re not going to stay until midnight, at least?”
He shook his head. “I have to fly out to New York for some meetings tomorrow, wheels up at fiveA.M.” He hesitated. “I would ask if you wanted to see each other again, but I’m not totally sure what vibe I’ve been getting from you.”
Lilah brought her hand to her forehead. “God. Sorry. I’m really off my game. Can you tell it’s been a while?”
He cracked a smile. “How about this,” he said. “I’ll give you my number. If you feel like giving me a call, I’d love to take you to dinner sometime. But if not, no hard feelings. Like I said, I understand if things are complicated.”
“Sure. Okay. I’d like that. Really.” Why was she writing Kent off before she’d even gotten to know him? Shane was obviously keeping his options open.
She handed him her phone and he tapped in his number.
He turned to go, then hesitated. “I don’t want to push myluck here, but if I’d stayed…what were my chances of getting that midnight kiss?”
Lilah pressed her index finger to her lips, pretending to think about it. “I’d say it was looking pretty good for you.”
He smiled again. “Damn. You know, that’s almost worse than getting shot down.”
She stepped closer, emboldened by the champagne. “Maybe midnight came early.”
He closed the gap between them, placing his hand on her waist, pausing for a respectful beat, then leaning in to give her a soft peck on the lips.
From a technical standpoint, there was nothing wrong with the kiss. His lips were neither too firm nor too soft, too dry nor too wet. His breath smelled nice, his hand was warm but not clammy on her waist, and he didn’t try to push it any further. But Lilah felt nothing.
In fact, her only physical response came after he’d already pulled away, when her gaze snagged on Shane glowering at her from across the room and she jolted like she’d been struck by lightning.
After saying goodbye to Kent, she recirculated the party with renewed vigor. She tried not to pay too much attention to what Shane was doing, but it was hard not to. Maybe she was imagining it, but she swore she felt his eyes on her when she was toasting with Annie, laughing with Pilar, dancing with Yvonne.
But then, she saw something that knocked him out of her mind completely: Marcus and Sareeta, chatting in a corner.
When Lilah approached them, they greeted her warmly, and the three of them quickly fell into animated conversation about what they’d done over the holidays. Lilah was so on edge that she didn’t retain a thing they were saying, adrenaline pumping through her, her nerves likely palpable.
Once the conversation hit a lull, Marcus’s face turned solemn. “Listen, Lilah,” he said, his clipped British accent softening. “I’m so glad there’s no hard feelings. It really was quite close.”
Lilah’s stomach turned to stone. “Sorry?”
