Page 51 of The Influencer

“And?”

“Why was Asher up here?” he asks. “Why are you?”

“I wanted him to change out my piercing. He talked me out of it because my septum is still healing. There’s good lighting in here.” All true.

“You’ve a bit of a rash on your chin.”

“I’m allergic to grass.”

Gideon grins, shaking his head at me. “I wonder what he sees in you.”

I glare at the superstar. My boss. The condescending brat. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I can’t imagine two people less alike.”

I push myself off the floor and run a hand through my hair. “You’re right, Gideon. We’re nothing alike,” I say. “He’s just the dude who pierced my nose.”

Gideon lurches into action as I attempt to leave the bathroom. He hands me a small jar. “For the beard burn. It’s incredible.”

Glaring, I snatch it from his hand, stiffen my spine, thank him, and leave his posh suite.

The problem universally acknowledged with giving a man your phone number is that you will spend the next forty-eight to seventy-two hours waiting for him to text. You may even stop eating for at least the first twenty-four of those hours.

I mean, it’s not like my dance card is empty. I have a collaboration to film on Sunday night and a photoshoot on Monday. Tour rehearsals start on Tuesday, and I have a hair appointment scheduled for Wednesday afternoon before I’m supposed to film a threesome with a popular OnlyFans couple that night. I’m busy. I’m always busy. I have a full life and bills to pay.

My very existence relies on being physically available to anyone who wants me, based on my screening criteria, of course. And unless Asher wants to become a part-time camboy and do some regular content with me, which—ha!—as if—then I don’t have time to deal with him. My phone already stresses me out enough without this added layer. I should just block his number. That would fix everything.

Except he like—texts me—Monday during the drive to my photoshoot.

I nearly piss myself. Technically, I have a full bladder, but my pelvic floor is historically solid.

I’m in traffic, so I read it quickly.

Asher

You never posted it.

Because I have a schedule, you amateur.

I tap out a response while the 405 deadlocks again.

Jade

Stay tuned.

Asher

Maybe just keep me updated. I don’t have the bandwidth to check your channel every day.

Jade

You know you get to watch one free video if you subscribe for three months.

I take a deep breath and check the traffic. We haven’t moved an inch. My phone buzzes.

Asher

Clever incentive.

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