“Excuse me?”

“I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with your ears, Heather. Jett orchestrated that fake bomb threat so he could rush off the stage, sweep you off your feet, and”—she made air quote marks—“save you.”

I stared at Alicia, my mouth agape.

“This isn’t the first time he’s pulled a stunt like this. He’s never resorted to a bomb threat in the past, but he’ll go to any length to get a woman he wants into his bed. Usually all it takes is a couple of fucks in one night to get it out of his system.”

I forced my lips together. As much as I didn’t want to admit it to myself, Alicia’s words were ringing true. He’d pursued me. I rebuffed him. Then he faked the bomb threat to gain my trust. He fucked me. Then he kicked me out of his bed.

I’d fallen right into it.

“I’m sorry, honey. Have I upset you?” She smiled, and saccharine oozed from her pores.

I cleared my throat and took another sip of my strong drink. “Why would any of that upset me?” I said, hoping I sounded a lot more indifferent than I felt.

“Jett is an attractive and successful man. Every woman wants to be his one and only.”

“I’m not every woman.”

“No, you’re not. I can tell you’re a lot smarter than the trash he usually lures into his bed.” She smiled again, her teeth so white I nearly had to shield my eyes.

“I’d like to think so,” I said. “But truly, there’s nothing going on between Jett and me.”

“It’s good that you have that attitude,” Alicia said. “I’d hate to see him hurt you. A few women have fallen in love with him along the way. He’s broken some hearts. I’d hate to see him break yours.”

“I assure you that won’t happen.” No, it wouldn’t happen, because it already had. I pushed my drink across the table. “I’m really not hungry, and I’m on deadline. I think it’s best if I leave.”

“You can’t leave!” she said adamantly, reaching across the table and grasping my hand again.

Her touch burned, and not in a good way.

“Let go of me,” I said, my nerves jumping.

“I’m sorry.” She let go of my hand. “But please, stay. I invited you for a meal, and I always keep my word.”

I sighed. A girl had to eat. She didn’t seem to have an ulterior motive other than keeping Jett to herself. I wasn’t the least bit hungry—not after the news she’d given me—but I didn’t want to be rude. Alicia Hopkins was not a bridge I wanted to burn. She knew all the top producers in Hollywood.

I forced a smile. “Of course. Thank you for the invitation. I’m happy to stay and eat.” I picked up my menu. “What’s good here?”

“The filet mignon is to die for. And the chef’s special of the day is always something unique and delicious.”

The filet mignon was the most expensive thing on the menu. No way was I ordering it, even though Alicia Hopkins could easily afford it. I looked for something innocuous, something that said I have taste, but I’m also frugal. Also, something that would not stain my shirt when I undoubtedly dropped a bite due to nervousness. “I think I’ll have the penne carbonara, unless the chef’s special is something I can’t live without.”

“You don’t want to try the filet?”

“I don’t eat a lot of red meat.” What a big lie. I was a carnivore of the highest order.

“That’s too bad. It truly is amazing.” Alicia didn’t pick up her menu but took the last sip of her second martini. Then her smile widened. “Oh my, look who it is!” She stood. “Over here, Jett, darling.”

Nausea threatened in my throat, and I knew. Alicia had planned all of this. It was all too…convenient.

Warmth crept up my cheeks, and I knew they were turning pink. I was no actress, but I was determined to play the part of the woman who didn’t give a damn. The woman who was not in love with Jett Draconis.

It didn’t help that he looked absolutely magnificent. His long hair was up in a messy man bun, and he had a day’s worth of stubble on his cheeks and chin. I had seen the beginning of that stubble this morning…

No. I was not going there. Time to turn on the charm. I forced another smile.

Alicia stood and wrapped her arms around Jett’s neck. “What are you doing here?” She turned to look at me. “I guess I don’t need to introduce you to my dinner companion. You obviously know Heather, since you carried her out of the concert hall last night during the bomb threat.”

Without meaning to, I let my gaze meet Jett’s. His hazel eyes were sharp, and they glittered with something I hadn’t seen in them before. Was it anger? Was he angry with me?

That couldn’t be. I hadn’t done anything to invoke his anger. He was the one who had kicked me out of his bed.

I waited for him to say hello. To say something.

Alicia pulled him to our table. “You must join us for dinner. We haven’t even ordered yet. Here, you can sit by me.”

The way she was gushing over him made my guts boil. A spear of jealousy shot into my body. Alicia Hopkins had slept with Jett. No surprise there, but it was written all over her face.

I couldn’t figure out exactly what was written on Jett’s face. His eyes still glittered with what I thought was anger, but also a bit of… Was it sorrow?

Before he sat down, he looked at Alicia. “Can I talk to you in private please?”

“Later. I’ve asked Heather to dinner, and you wouldn’t want me to be rude, would you?”

I opened my mouth, hoping my words wouldn’t come out in a stammer. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go to the ladies room for a few minutes. Then you can talk to each other.”

“I wouldn’t dream of having you leave on our account,” Alicia said.

“It’s okay, really. I do need to use the ladies room.” God, did I ever. I wasn’t the least bit sure I could keep my martini from coming back out the way it had gone in. I left the table in a hurry.

When I got to the ladies room, I walked down to the last stall, entered, locked it, and then leaned against the wall, breathing hard. Calm down, Heather. This is nothing. You can deal with it. When my breathing didn’t slow down, I grabbed a paper bag from the dispenser for disposing sanitary supplies and breathed into it. In about a minute, I had reversed the hyperventilation.

I had to go back out there. I had no choice. Like an idiot, I’d left my purse at the table, so I couldn’t sneak out of the restaurant. Not that I would have anyway. I’d hate myself if I did. Plus, what better way to show Jett Draconis I was fine with his treatment of me than to go back out with a smile on my face and chat animatedly about…well, anything.

Never mind that I wasn’t sure I’d ever chatted animatedly in my life. Time to learn.

When I felt I had a grip on myself, I left the stall, washed my hands, and assessed my appearance in the mirror. My lipstick was still okay, since all I’d had so far was a drink. I would do. Of course, I couldn’t help wishing that I looked like…well, like a rock star, and that Jett would be sorry he ever let me go.

When I reentered the dining room, I looked over to our table. Jett still hadn’t sat down. He was conversing with Alicia from a standing position.

I inhaled and let out my breath slowly. Then I walked toward the table.

And stopped abruptly when—

“You fucking bitch!” Jett shouted to Alicia.