Page 125 of Rinkmates

I even bought her a necklace as a gift, foolishly thinking it would bring back that smile I crave, only to be scolded for spending money on her. I just want to treat my princess like she deserves, but she’s so stubborn and insists on earning everything herself.

I had to practically beg her to keep that necklace. When she asked how much it cost, I said three. She assumed three hundred and scolded me even more.

Little does she know, it was actually three thousand. She would kill me if she knew. Can’t a man spoil his woman once in a while? Unbelievable.

Thirty-seven

LIORA

Nerves are one thing, but this is another.

“How are you holding up?” Priya asks from the makeup chair beside me, her knee bouncing up and down.

“Ughh, I swear I might puke right here,” I say, gripping the armrests. “Three more shows, that’s it. I just need to make it through three more.”

“You’ve got this.” Priya smiles reassuringly at me in the mirror. “Your routine is amazing. They’re kicking me out tonight. I know it.”

I box her slightly, she still winces.

“Stop saying such nonsense. So is yours. No way they’re kicking you out today, you’re incredible.” I watch as her makeup artist dusts shimmery shadow over Priya’s lids.

Priya’s voice trembles as she speaks, “I don’t know…it just seems to get harder every week. The pressure, the constant training—” Her sentence is cut short as the artist applies a vibrant orange-red lipstick onto her lips. It looks amazing with her russet skin. The reddish brown paired with the orange dressof hers and that lipstick? She’s such a pretty babe and she doesn’t even know it.

“Derek is coming to watch today. And Mason has been acting really strange about it.”

“Sounds like someone’s jealous,” I tease. “Has he asked you out yet?”

“Who?” she asks.

I chuckle. “That’s part of what I’m wondering.” I secretly hope Derek does ask her out, though.

“Well, Derek keeps texting, but…I don’t know. What if we go on a date and I have to tell him—you know.” Her cheeks flush pink.

“If he’s that much of a jerk and he rejects you just because you’re a virgin, then—”

“Sweeties, trust me,” Nora, my stylist, pipes up from behind me, “that will only make him want you more. Men love the challenge.”

“But I’m not ready to sleep with just anyone,” Priya protests.

“Preach,” Nora agrees solemnly. We share an empathetic hum of understanding.

“Then don’t,” I say. “Tell him and watch his reaction.” I’m not a fan of Derek, but I have to admit, he’s at least better than Mason.

Just then, Riley bursts in wearing only his studded black jeans, no shirt.

My jaw drops. Holy hell, has he been doing extra training? Or is it the studio light? Those abs are—

“I can’t find my top anywhere!” he exclaims, eyes wide with panic.

I know those abs all too well. But those jeans. The way they’ve styled him. Are his lips even more—

“Liora. The shirt for our number.”

I snap out of my hormone-addled daze. Right. Focus. Shirt. “It has to be with the fitting team. Did you check there?”

“They don’t have it! I’m freaking out, we go on in like ten minutes!” He runs a hand through his styled hair and I let out a shriek.

“Don’t!” I and the stylist scream at the same time.

---