Page 36 of Perfectly Wrong

We all turned to see Sam entering the room, dressed in a classic black tuxedo. He looked like he’d stepped straight out of a fashion campaign, his hair artfully tousled. When he spotted me, his smile lit up the room, sending a swarm of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Hello, everyone,” he greeted, making his way around the table.

He hugged and shook hands, and just as he was about to reach me, a colleague caught my attention. I turned to chat briefly, and when I turned back to Sam, his surprised expression made me grin. He pulled me into a hug, holding me just long enough to whisper in my ear:

“What the hell is this? Are you trying to kill me?”

His hand lingered on my back for a moment, sending shivers through me. But too soon, his agent whisked him away to his own table.

About half an hour later, the person I’d been waiting for finally arrived. I could hardly believe he was here, even though he’d said he would be. When our eyes met, his face lit up with a huge smile, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me.

“Lena,” he murmured into my hair as we hugged.

“John!” My voice was filled with excitement. “I can’t believe you’re here! I’ve missed you so much!”

He kissed my forehead, and I leaned into his familiar warmth as his hand gently rubbed my back, the way only John knew how. It was like coming home. He spun me around, making sure I knew just how stunning he thought I looked.

John was ridiculously handsome—chiseled jaw, thick beard, and eyes that changed shades depending on the light. His hair was always perfectly styled, and his arms were covered in tattoos, my favourite being the lion surrounded by geometric shapes on his right arm.

He sat beside me, and we quickly fell into a conversation, picking up where we’d left off. John was my rock. We’d met at Icon Records years ago, on my first day. He was the only one who saw through the cracks in my marriage and had never hesitated to point it out, even when I didn’t want to hear it. Despite the harsh words I’d thrown his way, he’d stuck by me. When I’d ended up in the hospital after trying to escape my ex, John was the first to show up. He was more than a friend; he was family.

After my divorce, he’d moved in for a few weeks until I felt safe on my own. We’d become so close that people thought we were more than friends, but that was never the case.

We sat facing each other, my legs resting between his, his hand comfortably on my thigh. We hadn’t seen each other since he’d transferred to New York, a move Jeremy had never quite forgiven him for. But John was a talent magnet, and everyone wanted him on their team. It didn’t take long for Jeremy to appear, pretending to be annoyed.

“If you’re trying to steal Elena, give it up now,” he grumbled. The two of them exchanged a quick handshake and hug.

John wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. “That’s not your call, Jeremy. Elena will work with me someday, and we’ll make the New York office the best in the world.”

“She would never betray me like you did. Right, Elena? You’re not moving to New York, are you?”

I laughed. “Right now, I’m not planning on it, Jer. But ‘never’ is a strong word.”

Movement at the back of the room signalled the start of the evening’s second show. Jeremy returned to his table as the lights dimmed. I glanced towards the stage, catching Sam’s gaze. John followed my eyes and smirked.

“How’s your puppet doing?” he teased. I rolled my eyes, but he continued, “Please, Lena. I can recognize when a star is being well fucked. He’s head over heels.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, taking a big gulp of my champagne.

“Sure you don’t.” John tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Let’s see if he can keep it together tonight.”

I gaped at him. “Don’t you dare!”

John just laughed, clearly enjoying himself. “I love a good game.” He kissed the corner of my mouth just as the mic screeched.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Sam’s voice boomed through the speakers.

John chuckled. “Quicker than I thought.”

I didn’t want to mess with Sam’s head tonight. We hadn’t had a chance to talk, and I hadn’t introduced him to John as planned. I’d told him he’d love meeting my friend, and now he was up there watching as John nearly kissed me.

The girls at our table were buzzing, singing along to the first song Sam played. I knew his setlist by heart, so I wasn’t surprised by his choices. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was sending me messages through the lyrics, like he was speaking directly to me. Or maybe I was just overthinking it.

“Shall we dance?” John whispered in my ear, startling me. “Yes, I’m asking you to dance to your boy’s song. Let’s go!”

He didn’t wait for my answer, pulling me onto the small dance floor in front of the stage. We’d danced together so many times before that I didn’t have to think, just follow his lead. His hand was firm on my back, guiding me with ease.

“Elena, I don’t want to freak you out,” he said softly as we turned, giving me a clear view of Sam, “but I think the kid is in love with you.”

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