I’m glad they love each other. Considering the alternative.”

“What’s the alternative?” I asked, finally looking at him.

He shrugged. “They hate each other and try to kill one another each time we’re in the same room together. That would be worse.”

“Valid point.” Sighing, I shrugged out of my jacket while Nat and Demetri talked a mile a minute.

“Let me take that.” Alec grabbed my jacket and then placed his hand on the small of my back as he walked me into the house.

Around twenty strangers were scattered about, lounging on the couches and sitting outside on the deck. A few were in the hot tub. All in all, it seemed like a normal party. Yes, normal, if normal parties had attendees who looked like they just stepped out of Gossip Girl.

“Hmm…” I said aloud.

“Hmm, is right. Most of these people have to be here in order to gain some type of publicity for new records or shows that are dropping this fall, so for the most part…”

“So no friends?”

“Five, five I would count as a friend.”

How sad. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

“Speaking of friends,” he mumbled under his breath just as a guy sauntered over to us.”

“Tell me she’s going to be on the show.” Holy crap, the guy looked like Robert Pattinson. He even had the British accent.

“Undecided,” Alec answered for me. “Alyssa, meet Jaymeson.”

“Oh, the action star who has to master the American accent for all his films. It’s a pleasure.” I held out my hand, but he didn’t take it. Instead he stared at me closely for at least two minutes. Do I pull my hand back? What the heck was I supposed to do?

Finally he took my hand and pulled me forward so I was only inches from his face. “You don’t belong to Alec. I’ve already met Nat. She’s outspoken, like you. Please, I’m begging. Tell me you aren’t taken.”

“By the birthday boy himself,” Demetri said from behind me. “Hands off, Jaymeson.”

“What’s a guy gotta do these days? Hole up in Seaside and wait for a hot woman to walk by?” Jamie released my hand and cursed. “I swear you guys are the luckiest bastards.”

“We know,” Demetri said squeezing my shoulders.

I leaned back into him. He made me feel protected and wanted. I wondered why Alec would throw him a party with perfect strangers when really all he probably wanted to do was spend it with us.

“Friends’ party commences in five,” Demetri said in my ear.

“Friends’ party?” I repeated.

“Yup.” Alec winked.

“Let’s blow this popsicle stand!” Nat said walking up to us with her fingers pointed as guns into the air.

“Excuse her.”Alec pulled Nat into his arms and kissed her hard on the mouth. “She’s had two lattes, and I just caught her taking a straight-up shot of espresso.”

“Why, Nat? Why?” Demetri threw his hands into the air.

“You get Nat patrol tonight. It’s my birthday, so when she wants to hang out at four a.m., it’s your job, dude.” He pointed at Alec who was now having a heck of a time keeping Nat still.

“My job and my curse.” Alec smirked in my direction. I felt my face heat. Geez, how could it not? The guy was beautiful and famous and… It was weird. He made me more nervous than Demetri. With Demetri things felt amazing and comfortable.

“The party is here!” announced Connor and Sam from the door. Surprisingly, Aaron and Holly followed behind. Maybe everything was okay, after all?

“Friends’ party. It’s time.” Nat clapped. “Okay, everyone, Jaymeson included, y’all can follow me!”

Chapter Twenty-eight

Demetri

I seriously needed to buy Nat a present. The entire upstairs rec room had been transformed into party central.

The flat screen was set up with Rock Band. It looked like a taffy piñata threw up in the room. Seriously, I’d never seen so much taffy in my life and I worked at a taffy store.

Funny, usually my birthdays were giant drunken fests that I rarely remembered. I knew I’d remember tonight. It was perfect.

“You know I love you, right?” I pulled Nat into a hug and kissed her temple.

“I know.” Nat squirmed against me. “I’m your favorite.”

“Actually…” I sighed. “I think I may have a new favorite.”

My eyes instantly locked with Alyssa’s as she made her way toward me.

“Happy Birthday, Demetri,” Nat whispered in my ear and walked off. My eyes fell onto Alyssa as she slowly unwrapped a piece of taffy and popped it in her mouth. How did she make eating taffy look so damn sexy?

Before she could say anything, I grabbed her and kissed her.

Plunging my tongue into her mouth so I could taste the flavor of the taffy she just ate.

“Butterscotch,” I said against her lips.

“And I thought I was the only one with the cool party tricks.” Alyssa giggled. Hell, I loved that girl’s laugh. It was already the best birthday of my life just having her there in my arms. I was almost able to forget about all the drama surrounding us. Almost. I just prayed Holly would tell her soon so I wouldn’t have to feel guilty anymore.

“Want to see another party trick?” I winked.

“I don’t know. Do I?”

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek then pulled back. Her eyes squinted and then she laughed. “Was that the trick?”