CHAPTER 43
Lex
By Friday night, my heart started to feel heavy.
There I was, my bare toes hanging in the brightly lit blue water of Theo’s pool, the sun dipping below the trees and casting a brilliant purplish glow against the clouds, and I felt more alone than ever before.
Theo was inside getting ready for dinner with Winter and the music video director to discuss their plans for the shoot, and I was working up my courage to talk to Theo about what would happen in Vegas.
It had been a week of secrecy and sex in the sanctuary of Theo’s home and his car. That was exactly what we’d promised each other, and we hadn’t talked about anything more. I’d told myself I’d be okay with it and that putting my focus 100 percent on the Vegas show would cure me of Theo, banishing him from my system. I never expected him to climb into my heart too.
I knew people did this kind of thing all the time. One-night stands. Casual flings. But there was nothing casual about the way he curled his body around mine every night and peppered kisses along my back and shoulders. Or the way he’d had to bite back his rage while he watched Reggie and me dance.
Those things weren’t casual, no matter how hard I tried to ignore them.
The sound of my phone ringing by my side interrupted my confused thoughts. It was Shane. I sighed, debating whether I should pick it up. I’d been avoiding him all week, knowing that the moment we spoke, I’d have to decide. Lie to him or tell him the truth about Theo.
“Hey.” I pulled the phone to my ear. “I’ve missed you.”
Loud music and laughter vibrated in the background of wherever Shane had called me from. “Where the hell have you been?” he shouted into the phone.
I smiled, feeling the ache in my heart as my loneliness only seemed to increase at the sound of his voice. “Busy.”
He snorted. “Busy lounging by the pool? Where was that taken, anyway?”
I rolled my eyes. He must have seen my Instagram post from a few hours ago before the weight of reality began to settle in. “We leave for Vegas tomorrow,” I said, ignoring his question. “Please tell me you’re going to visit.”
“That’s why I’m calling.” The background noise faded, as though he’d locked himself in a room. “I wanted to let you know. I talked to Dominic and got some time off. I wouldn’t miss your opening night.”
Excitement flitted through me. “Really?”
“Really. You better be ready for me. And I want the entire Vegas VIP treatment. Bottle service, fancy dinners, the works.”
I laughed. “Nothing but the best for you, honey.”
“Good girl.” Something pounded in the background. “Shit, I gotta get back out there. Love you, Lex.”
Just then, the patio doors to Theo’s house opened, and he stepped outside. My heart shot up to my throat and felt jammed there. He looked incredible, far too incredible to be having dinner with Winter. The ugly claws of jealousy scaled the walls of my chest. He wore jeans so light they almost looked as white as his button-down shirt. His pants were rolled up above his ankles, calling extra attention to his gray loafers. His sleeves were pushed above elbows revealing thick forearms and bronze skin.
“Lex, did you hear me? I’ve gotta go.” Shane was still on the line.
“Love you too, Shane.”
We hung up, and I was left staring at the GQ ad approaching me. I set my phone down, my eyes shifting over to the clock on the back of his house. My heart sank. It was eight fifteen, and dinner was at eight thirty, which meant he couldn’t stay.
He kicked off his shoes and sat beside me, then he slipped his feet in the water before kissing my cheek. “Sorry I have to leave. I shouldn’t be out late. Wait up for me?”
I gave him a pinched smile. “Of course.”
He’d been attending meetings and lunches and interviews with Winter all week, and it had never bothered me as much as it did tonight. My confidence in their “platonic” relationship was starting to wane. I’d seen hints of a relationship brewing, and the media tried to paint a picture of one as well. And there were no rules for their relationship, unlike with Theo and me. No boundaries, which gave Winter free rein to throw herself at him. And Theo would do little to stop it as long as he was working for her.
I got it. I did. But it killed me to know Theo and I never even had a chance.
“Lex,” Theo said with a nudge. “You’re too quiet.”
I dared a look at him, knowing I’d fall victim to his sweet, caring face that was reserved only for me. I did. I melted as I gazed back at him. Tomorrow was only a few hours away.
How could he not be thinking about it too? About our deal. And then I remembered, I was the one who suggested the terms of our arrangement. Maybe he was just respecting my wishes. Maybe he didn’t want us to end either. Maybe there was another way.
Hope sparked in my chest, and I sucked in a breath. I would talk to him when he got home from dinner. Everything would be okay. “I’m just nervous about Vegas, that’s all.”
Theo’s expression lost its softness, and something else washed over him. I couldn’t quite place it. Then his lashes whipped against the top of his cheeks. I wondered if he realized how beautiful he was—in a way that was exhilarating. Surely he knew he was gorgeous. Too many women fell at his feet for him not to know. But did he know that it was more than his striking eyes and sculpted cheekbones that had captivated my heart?
“Theo?” I laughed nervously, because he still hadn’t said anything.
His eyes caught mine, and he smiled. “You’re going to light up that stage, Lex. Everything will be perfect.” He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I promise.”
Flutters erupted in my tummy, and with a soft sigh, I watched as he stood up and disappeared around the corner. I chose to believe in his promise.
And prayed he wouldn’t break it.