Page 68 of For One Night Only

It’s chaste enough, and intended for the thousand GIFs I know it will generate, but it still makes my heart race. Caleb holds me closer, dipping me a little, and in these heels I have to hang on to him for dear life, but his arms aren’t bad to cling to. I get totally lost in the moment, kissing him. Even in a crowd, he makes me feel like we’re the only two people who matter.

Caleb rights me on my feet and turns back to the camera but doesn’t lose his grip on my waist.

“Does that answer your question?” I ask brightly, wiping the soft smear of lipstick from Caleb’s mouth with my thumb.

The reporter nods. “It definitely clarifies a few things.” But they don’t back down. “I was going to ask Valerie about Theo Blake next, but I don’t want to ruin your night.”

Caleb’s grip tightens as if to move us along again, but I lean into him, reassuring.

I can handle this.

“Theo and I broke up amicably several months ago and have not spoken since. Regardless of our history, or anything that has circulated on the internet, I wish him nothing but future success.Fantastical Mystsis an incredible opportunity, and I’m sure everyone will love it when it drops. But tonight is about celebrating my friend Jane’s wonderful contributions toInto the Dragon Realm, not my love life.”

The next group is waiting, so the reporter has to let us go without the zinger they were hoping for. However, I think that lip-lock will make up for it.

“Not that I didn’t enjoy that kiss, Ms. Quinn,” Caleb murmurs into my ear as we walk away, “but what’s the plan here?”

My stomach flutters with nerves. Here I am, making Jane’s big night about us. The video will be all over the internet in the next fifteen minutes, and everyone should be talking about the show instead. I just really wanted to take advantage of the night.

“I’m sorry, I just thought…yeah, that was probably bad timing.” So much for being a supportive friend. Maybe Keeley was right, and it was inevitable that this summer would become the Valerie show.

Anxiously, I glance at Caleb.

He grins, but there’s something tight in his gaze. “I’m sure it’s fine. Besides, I like kissing you. If it finally puts those rumors to rest, well…two birds, one stone.”

I hope he’s right.

Fifteen minutes was being charitable. Within five, Keeley and Riker are heading over to us, quickly flashing Keeley’s phone in our faces. We share a look, then laugh—nervously, on my part at least.

There are cameras everywhere, so Keeley slips between the twoof us and grins at the closest one. Riker puts an arm around my other side, and we smile wide for the chorus of “Glitter Bats, over here!”

But that doesn’t stop Keeley from hissing through her teeth. “I know you’re trying to drum up press, but this is Jane’s night. Don’t fly too close to the sun.”

I brace myself for her withering glare, but when I glance at her, she’s smiling for the photographers. Still, I know this isn’t the end of this conversation. I might have fucked up…again. And not just with the band—I can feel the buzz of my phone blowing up in my clutch, but I choose to ignore it.

As we move into the building, I nearly stumble into a server holding a tray of champagne. I apologize, taking two flutes and handing one to Caleb, then downing mine.

It’s too late to take back that viral-bait kiss. Let the internet talk.

21

Caleb

I don’t know how I was supposed to focus on theInto the Dragon Realmpremiere with Valerie looking like a goddess at my side.

Her look tonight screams Hollywood starlet. That blue dress clings to her curves in a way that’s straight out of a dream, and all I want to do is find a quiet corner and take advantage of that dangerously high slit up her thigh. Maybe that kiss wasn’t the wisest move, but once I’m buzzed on champagne from the trays that are being passed around on a continuous loop, I can’t bring myself to be truly mad. The timing wasn’t great…but it does ensure people will be talking about the premiere.

And Valerie looks so incredible—I can’t stop touching her.

I palm her bare lower back as we walk through the crowd to the auditorium. I grab her hand as she navigates her way up the stairs. I even find an excuse to tuck her hair behind her ear, letting my fingertips linger on the soft skin of her neck as we find our way to our seats.

How did I go six years without touching Valerie Quinn? Now that I’ve started again, I’m not sure how I’m supposed to stop.

The pilot ofInto the Dragon Realmis fun, and Jane’s music is incredible, but if there were a pop quiz on the plot, I’d fail it. I’m too entranced by the woman next to me to register a thing. By the time we’re shuffled across town to the after-party, I’ve sobered up, but that doesn’t make me keep my hands to myself. If anything, it makes me want to pull her closer.

This isn’t the Oscars, where everyone has costume changes throughout the night, and the vibe is definitely more relaxed as we slip into the private club in our designer clothes. When we first got into the industry, these nights felt like playing dress-up. I got used to it around the timeBittersweethit the awards circuit, but after spending years in a classroom in Target button-downs and khakis, I feel like that eighteen-year-old kid stepping into the too-bright spotlight again.

I loosen my tie as soon as we get away from any cameras. Tonight there’s a dance floor, but most people are lounging in booths or standing in groups, drinks in hand as they network and share gossip.

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