“Hmm, clever,” he grins. “Depends. Is it working?” He steps closer, and I catch a whiff of his cologne. It smells musky and expensive.
I quickly glance across the room to where Rowan is still posing with Carrie. As her hand slides up to his shoulder and they smile for the camera, something petty and vindictive flares in my chest.
“Maybe,” I say, giving my full attention back to Walker. “But I might need a little more convincing.”
His eyes light up at the challenge. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
Without missing a beat, he flags down a server and snags two fresh flutes of champagne and hands one to me. “So. Are you here with anyone, or braving this craziness all on your own?”
Champagne tickles my lips as my eyes dart across the room. “With someone,” I admit, taking a sip.
He raises an eyebrow, dimple deepening. “Who’s the lucky bastard?”
The champagne is definitely taking over now, making my tongue looser than it should be. “He’s actually right over there.”
Walker follows my gaze and his eyebrows raise in surprise. “Ah, I see. Rowan Cole. So why are you here and he’s over there? Shouldn’t you be the one taking pictures with him instead of his ex?”
I shrug. “It’s his job.”
“Please. Like he needs the extra publicity.”
Putting an arm around my shoulders, he leans in, dropping his voice as he turns us back around and murmurs in my ear, “His loss. My gain.”
The rumble of his voice sends a little thrill through me. But, amazingly, it’s not sexual. Just a happy thrill of getting Walker Prince’s undivided attention.
“So. Back to my original question.” He tips his chin toward the canvas hanging on the wall. “Captivating, don’t you think?”
“I’m afraid my option would be biased.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“Because it’s mine.”
“Yours?” His eyebrows shoot up in genuine surprise. “You painted this?”
I nod, taking another sip of my drink. “Yeah. It was... a dark time.”
“It’s extraordinary,” he says, studying it more intently now.
“Thank you.”
Walker looks over his shoulder and flashes a maniacal grin. “Looks like we’re about to have company.”
I follow Walker’s gaze, and my stomach drops. Eyes on us, Rowan leans in to whisper something in Carrie’s ear. Shesmiles and nods as he straightens, making a beeline in our direction.
Even from here, I can see the shift in his expression when he clocks Walker’s arm draped over my shoulders.
Eyes narrowed, jaw tight, Rowan strides across the room through the crowd.
“Well, well. This should be interesting,” Walker murmurs, amused.
I take another sip of champagne, heart hammering with nervous excitement as I grin inside.
Is Rowan jealous? Serves him right for letting Carrie paw all over him. Even if it is for publicity.
“Mind if I stick around for the fireworks?” Walker chuckles, eyes twinkling with mischief.
forty-nine
