“Good.” Then he motions to Chance to head for the door and says, “Also, I think we can spin this. Give it a few days, but while it's still a hot topic,rebrand the cooking series into something clever. Capitalize on something that was clearly a hilarious mishap.”
I cock my head at him. “Like how?”
Anthony looks up from his phone, which I'm sure has been buzzing non-stop. “I don't know exactly, but off the top of my head; explaining what happened and then putting up a 'WANTED' poster with F-Bomb's face in the middle.”
I bark a laugh and Spence groans. “Fuckin' cat.”
I elbow Spence. “Stop that. You love our baby.”
Spence rolls his eyes and then I say to Anthony, “What are you thinking for a rebrand of the series?”
Anthony walks to the door, which Chance is holding open for him, and casually drops, “OnlyPans.”
I blink. “Oh. My. God.”
Anthony smiles and winks, then walks out, closing the door behind him.
Thirty-Six
Machinehead
Spencer
The door snicks shut behind Anthony, and Ryan turns to look at me.
“Welp.” He blows out a breath. “That just happened.”
“Yeah, it did.” I scratch my head, still trying to process everything. Then I reach out and rub his leg, feeling the warmth of him through the thin fabric of his shorts. “Are you okay?”
Ryan sighs, and for a second, I think he's going to fall apart, but then he says, “Honestly, yes.”
I study his face. “Really?”
“Mmhmm.” He leans back against the couch cushions. “Don't get me wrong, I know shit's about to get rough, but mostly, I just feel relieved.”
I reach over and sweep the hair from his forehead, my touch gentle. “I'm not happy it happened this way, but I'm glad you're feeling relieved. I hated that you had to hide.”
Ryan sighs again, heavier this time. “I guess I better check my phone and start dealing with the shitstorm.”
He starts to get up, but I press my palm against his chest and push him back against the couch. “Not yet.”
“What?” He gives me a puzzled look, eyebrows drawing together.
“Let's just stay in this bubble for a little longer.” I let my hand drift down to his thigh, squeezing. “I didn't get to finish playing with that sexy ass.”
Ryan's lips curve into a wicked smile, and my brain scolds me…
Can someone please point me to the genius who thought I could resist that face? I'd like a word. Oh wait, that was me. Idiot.
I point at him. “Stay here. I need to go do something. I'll come get you in a minute.”
Ryan gestures to the growing tent in his barely-there shorts. “Please hurry. This morning has been the most torturous edging session in history.”
I laugh and stand, starting to walk toward the hallway.
“Your ass in those silk pants is not helping matters, Perfect!” Ryan shouts after me. I bark a laugh, then open my bedroom door, enter, and close it behind me.
I quickly go into my master closet and head to the top shelf in the far back, grabbing the box I had delivered a couple weeks ago and hid under a stack of shoe boxes for a special occasion. I unbury the box, then take it down and out to my bed, unpacking the contents and starting to put it together.
