Page 25 of Get Undressed With Me

“That may be so, but there’s no one else to do the work. That’s why you called me, remember?”

Val shook her head.

“You’re right, I’m an idiot. I’ll switch you out with Doug. He’s got a nice, happily married actor that you’ll hate.”

“No.”

The word came out before Gus could think about it, but he wouldn’t take it back. Brittany needed someone to watch her back right now, and the truth was that Gus didn’t trust anyone else to do it.

Val threw him an exasperated look.

“Gus, it’s for the best. I shouldn’t have put you in this position.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. But we’re here, and I’m not leaving her alone.”

“She wouldn’t be alone, she’d have Doug.”

“I said no.”

They stared at each other for a moment, Val squinting at whatever she saw in his expression before she sighed.

“Fine. But if she breaks your heart, I’m going to want words.”

Gus grinned at that. Val was a ball-buster, but she was also loyal as fuck.

“I should warn you. She has a temper.”

Val smirked. “So do I.”

“She also has a slight tendency to start fires when she’s angry.”

Val quirked an eyebrow. “Just my type.”

Gus laughed just as he heard a voice behind him.

“Gus?”

He turned to find a young, cute redhead smiling at him.

“Hey, Dev. Good to see you.”

“Good to see you, too. Heard this place was as delicious as it was caffeinated.”

“The rumors are true, but you’ll probably want to avoid the pastries until they get their chef sorted out.”

She nodded, looking a little disappointed.

“Thanks for that warning.”

It was then Dev glanced over at Val and froze, her eyes widening as if in shock. When Gus turned to follow her gaze, he found Val staring at the young woman with a calculated look, her expression carefully blank.

Suddenly nervous, Dev pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes darting away.

“Anyway, I’ll let you get back to… okay, bye!”

She waved, leaving the café without buying anything that Gus noticed, and Gus turned to Val, who was focused on her laptop. Avoiding his gaze.

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

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