He wraps an arm around me, nuzzling his face into my neck.
“Hmm, let’s see: you’re smart, and funny, and beautiful. Amazing cook. Definitely a better-than-average kisser.”
He stops right there, in the middle of the street, pulling me in close. But just as he’s about to press his lips to mine, I feel his body spasm, and he erupts into a loud, wet sneeze.
“Ugh, you beast!” I scream, shoving him away from me in mock repulsion. Jake laughs, reaching his hand out for me, but I swat him away. “Seriously, stay away from me. I’m not prepared for this. The forecast didn’t indicate that I needed to pack an umbrella.”
“Baby, I’m sorry! What’s it going to take to make it up to you?”
I cross my arms, pretending to mull it over for a second. “Take me to Big Gay Ice Cream and buy me a cone.”
“You got it. I assume you’ll be having your namesake?”
I giggle. The quirky ice cream shop sells a cone called “The Dorothy,” which consists of vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, and Nilla wafers.
“Nope. I’ll be havingyournamesake: the Salty Pimp.” Jake reaches a hand around my waist, tickling me as I shriek. I’m so wrapped up in him that I don’t even notice the flash of the camera from across the street.
23
“HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?”
When I burst through the door of Jake’s suite at The Pierre, I’m clutching this week’s issue ofUs Weeklyso tightly that the ink is smearing right onto my sweat-soaked palms. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m finally starting to appreciate the warnings Chloe and Jake gave me about how easily the media twists reality. The paparazzi photo on the cover caught Jake mid-sneeze, and with his scrunched face and open mouth, it really does look like he’s screaming at me.
Jake’s head pops up as he looks at me from across the room. He’s seated at a table with Vinny and Lydia, his publicist, and another man in a charcoal suit I don’t recognize. I freeze mid-step, embarrassment flooding my cheeks. It never occurred to me that Jake wasn’t in here alone.
From his seat at the marble table, Vinny rolls his eyes. But it also looks like he’s… smirking? Before I can read any further into it, Jake rises from his chair and crosses the room to pull me into a tight hug. I press my face into his shirt, some of the tension in my shoulders immediately dissolving as I inhale his comforting smell.
“Hey, you,” he says, and it doesn’t escape my attention that he’s ignoring the magazine in my hand. He hooks his index fingerunder my chin and plants a soft kiss on my lips. “We were just working on the tour schedule.”
“Oh, right.” In the heat of the article scandal, I had (perhaps willfully) forgotten all about the tour. The truth is, I’ve spent the past week dedicating as little thought as possible to Jake’s upcoming departure, finding ways to change the subject every time he brings it up.
His eyes drop back down to the table. “And, uh… there’s something else I need to tell you.”
Before he can continue, the other man at the table rises, buttoning his suit jacket before extending a hand toward me.
“Rudy Silverman, Madison St. James’s manager. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucy.”
“It’s Lexi, actually.”Madison St. James’s manager?What’s he doing here? I turn toward Jake, my brow furrowing in confusion.
Jake clears his throat. When he speaks again, his voice is calm, but the two tiny pops of color in his cheeks betray him.
“Lady Gaga is hosting a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden next month to raise money for her Born This Way Foundation. She’s having a few artists do guest performances—”
“—and we thought, what could be better than two of the hottest acts in music performing a duet? The fans will go ballistic to see Jake Taylor and Madison St. James onstage together. I mean, think of the buzz it will generate, especially with both of their upcoming tours!” Rudy is practically salivating as he cuts Jake off mid-sentence.
“Of course, the most important thing is the foundation,” Jake adds quickly. “This type of fundraising could help so many kids in need.”
“It’s genius. Remember how people reacted to Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Oscar performance?” Vinny is smiling, but when his eyes meet mine, there’s a hard glint behind them that sends a shiver down my spine. As a matter of fact, I remember thatOscar duet very clearly. Especially the part where Gaga and Bradley ended things with their significant others shortly thereafter. A pit of unease forms in my stomach.
Jake stiffens beside me. He clears his throat, turning to address the table.
“Anyway, I think we’re good for today, right?”
I peek over his shoulder and it’s clear from everyone’s confused expressions that this is news to them.
“Okay. I’m sure you two have some things to talk about.” Vinny’s expression is smug as he stands up. Lydia is the only one who looks vaguely uncomfortable. Her eyes flit over to mine as she shoots me a quick, sympathetic smile. Nevertheless, the three of them pack up without argument, and a few minutes later, we’re alone in the suite.
I make my way over to the window, fingering the sheer, elegant curtain and admiring the way it gently diffuses the outside light. A moment later, Jake comes up behind me. His lips press into the curve of my ear as his arm slides around my waist, pulling me against him. I feel his fingers run across the bottom of my shirt and intake a sharp breath when they slip underneath the fabric to graze my skin.
