But a music video? My hands go clammy just thinking about it. I’m not even in the limelight, was just seen in pictures with Dex once, and my online life has become a living hell because of it. What is everyone going to say if I appear in a music video with him?
I tear my eyes away from the man, and Dex catches my gaze. The smirk is gone from his face, and now he’s looking at me with something like encouragement in his pale blue eyes. And with just that one look, I know he wants me to do this. He doesn’t even have to say it aloud.
What should perhaps scare me is that seeing him looking at me like that makes me want to say yes to anything. It feels like I’m wholly incapable of going against him when he has that look in his eyes.
So, without even turning to look at the man again, I say, “All right. I’ll do it.”
Beside me, Ashton squeals and squeezes my hand. The heads of the label look at one another and share small triumphant smiles. But really, I don’t care about them or what they want; I care about Dex, and right now he’s running his fingers along his lower lip and smiling, and I’m too caught up in him to even consider what I’ve truly just agreed to.
There’s more to be discussed—dates and contracts and payment—and then everyone is shaking hands and standing from the table and leaving the room in a subtle cloud of expensive-smelling cologne and perfume.
“This is gonna be epic!” Sebastian says, skirting past Ashton to wrap his arms around my waist. He picks me up and twirls me in a circle, and I laugh, somehow perfectly at ease surrounded by these men I used to only see in magazines. “We haven’t made a video in forever.”
“It’s only been a year,” Lucas says from where he’s leaning back lazily in his chair.
“Well, it feels like forever.” Sebastian sets me down and gives me one of his twinkling smiles. “And it’ll be more fun with Nora anyway.”
“It really will be,” Ashton says, elbowing Sebastian aside so she can pull me in for a hug. She’s soft and warm, and when her scent—like clean laundry right out of a dryer—washes over me, I feel immediately calmer. “We’ll need to get your measurements for the wardrobe team, but I can give you a call tomorrow, and we’ll set it up around your schedule.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
With Ashton and Sebastian beaming at me like this is the most exciting thing in the world, I admit I actually start looking forward to it. I’ve never had professional hair and makeup done, and I’ve definitely never been measured for a wardrobe, so this is bound to be interesting.
Across the room, Dex and Michael are talking quietly, while Lucas continues lazing in his rolling chair, hood pulled up, sunglasses on. As usual, he looks like he partied too hard last night.
Michael’s gaze cuts to me suddenly, and Dex’s eyes follow. Something about it feels jolting, the way they’re both looking at me so intently. Michael averts his eyes quickly, but Dex holds my stare, his lips turning up slowly in a smile.
Beside me, Ashton turns, and one of her eyebrows arches slowly, thoughtfully. Unlike Morgan, her expression doesn’t turn feral. She just smiles, nudges me a little, and then grabs her bag from the table and heads for the door.
“Well, I’m off. Bye, Nora! And all of you, be good,” she says to the guys as she pulls the door open. Halfway through, she pauses and points one manicured finger at Dex. “Especially you. I’m watching you. At all times. Don’t forget it.” She gives him a hard stare, then flashes the rest of us a beaming smile before disappearing into the hallway.
“What was that about?” Sebastian says.
“That woman’s fuckin’ weird,” Lucas replies in his half-asleep tone, head still tipped back. I can’t see through his sunglasses, but I have a feeling his eyes are closed.
“That woman,” Michael says, stepping forward to slap Lucas across the back of the head, “has your balls in her hand. Show her some respect.”
Lucas grumbles something unintelligible and rubs the back of his head.
Dex catches my eye and tips his head toward the closed door. I move toward him as Sebastian spins Lucas in his chair, eliciting a string of curses and violent threats.
Michael is still standing beside Dex, but when I move over to stand by them, he walks away to go break Lucas and Sebastian’s squabbling up.
“You doing anything tonight?” Dex asks. He’s standing close to me, so I have to tip my head back slightly to meet his eyes.
“No.” Excitement tingles through me. “Why?”
“Wanna grab dinner?”
chapter 19
THE MOMENT HE SAYS IT, Sebastian and Lucas go quiet, and even though I can’t see them behind me, I can feel their eyes on my back. I get the sensation that I’m onstage, just without my violin.
“Um, yeah. Sure.” I try not to sound too eager, but my heart is pounding in my chest. “Where do you wanna go?”
Dex flicks his lip ring and regards me for a moment, and the silence in the room builds.
The guys are still staring at us, their eyes burning holes into my back. What are they thinking right now?
On second thought, I’m not so sure I want to know.
“How ’bout my place?”
His place. As in his house.
My first thought is, Oh my god, he just invited me home with him. My second is to briefly wonder if Dex is embarrassed to be seen with me in public and that’s why he doesn’t want to go out. It would make sense after that scathing article. But I push that thought down and focus instead on the quirk of his lips and the lazy way he slips his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“Sounds good.” I somehow achieve a casual tone, but I’m not so sure it convinces Dex, because his smile is nettling.
“Sweet.” His gaze shifts to the guys over my shoulder. “Later.” Then he’s pulling the door open and stepping aside so I can walk through first.
“Bye, guys,” I say, turning to give them a wave.
Sebastian waves back, still looking a bit shell-shocked, Michael smiles in that mature way of his, and Lucas just crosses his arms and stares from behind his dark shades.
“Bye, Nora,” I hear Sebastian say as I step through the doorway and out into the hall.
Dex follows close behind me, and the door closes with an audible click. Morgan isn’t anywhere to be seen, which I’m pretty grateful for. Earlier, when she walked in on me kissing Dex, the look on her face made me feel dangerous and powerful. But now I’m just hoping we don’t bump into her on the way out. Thankfully, she’s not behind her desk, and we step out of the studio and into the balmy air without running into anyone else.
