Gabriel looks like he’s about to say something saucy, but he catches my eye and stops himself. “Thank you,” he says instead.
My cheeks heat, but I keep my cool. “I’m sorry,” I say, offering my hand. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Jodi is the music producer for the show,” Gabriel says. “And you obviously recognize my Spencer.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up when he calls me that.My Spencer. It’s like he’s claiming me in the middle of the party, and I have to remind myself that this, like the hand-holding, is all for show.
Gabriel is a flirt. I’m not going to get confused and think he’d actually want this. That would be… pathetic.
“Jodi,” I say, taking her hand. “Thanks for making my husband sound so good.”
She smiles. “Artists like him make my job easy,” she says before disappearing back into the crowd.
Gabriel leans closer to me. “Incoming former fling. We spent a week together on a yacht outside Los Angeles. It was all over the blogs. Patrick, he’s an actor who tried to be a rock star but just ended up playing a rock star on a soap opera—yo, Patrick!” He turns with expert timing to greet the square-jawed man with a hug. Seamlessly, Gabriel turns to me. “This is my husband, Spencer.”
Patrick grabs my arm, friendly. “Pleasure to meet you.”
My mouth feels dry. Somehow, this became complicated in a way I don’t even begin to understand.
“You, too,” I manage, and he pulls his hand back. With a casual grin, he turns his eyes back to Gabriel. “Only you would show up one day with a surprise husband.”
“Spencer wasn’t out publicly yet,” he says casually. “And I was eager to have him all to myself.”
Fuck, he’s smooth. And he glossed over the fact that I wasn’t out at all, sparing me some privacy and dignity.
There is a lot to appreciate about this man. I can see why so many people are taken by him.
“Of course,” Patrick agrees. He raises his champagne glass to me. “Congratulations, by the way.”
After a second, I realize he means on coming out, not on the marriage. It’s a strange feeling, and I’m troubled like I haven’t truly earned it when I nod, thanking him.
“Gabriel’s made it easier,” I say, which I realize is true and not just a generic husband comment.
Gabriel pushes his hair back. “He’s good for me. Keeps me out of trouble,” he jokes. “He’s going to cost the tabloids a fortune in new content.”
Patrick laughs. “I’m doubtful that becoming the hot new celebrity couple will spare you the tabloids. But here’s to wishful thinking,” he says with a chuckle and turns his eyes across the party. “Have a good night,” he offers with another wide smile and disappears.
“Hot new celebrity couple?” I ask under my breath.
Gabriel shrugs. “At least that means it’s working.”
I sigh, resigned to my fate. After a second, I lay my hand on Gabriel’s chest as I turn to him and hold his eye. “Husband, you were amazing tonight,” I say, “and I thinkIneed a drink.” He lets out a genuine laugh. “Would you like something?”
He winks. “Bourbon tonight.”
I let out a slow, deep breath as I make my way to the bar. My life has taken a hard turn in an unexpected direction, but I’m a star, too. I’m one of the best goddamn tennis players in the world, and I can handle a bunch of actors and models.
No party can be worse than attending my father’s pro hockey player barbecues as an awkward, closeted teenager.
“Two bourbons neat,” I tell the bartender, and walk straight back to Gabriel. When I get there, though, I’m surprised to see him chatting with Alyssa.
She turns to me with a smile. She’s in an A-line skirt and a big gold blazer, her makeup bright for a night out.
“What happened to the baseball player?” I ask as I greet her in a quick hug.
“We had dinner.” She crinkles her nose. “It wasn’t a match. I thought I’d stop by here, but now a client has an emergency across town.”
“Don’t worry,” Gabriel says. “I begged, and she agreed to stay long enough to finish her drink.”
