Page 17 of Get Undressed With Me

She heard Min’s exasperated laugh from across the room but didn’t hesitate in her exit. Min was the best of friends, but when she got protective, there was no stopping her until you were figuratively swaddled in bubble wrap. And sometimes, like in college, literally.

Trusting Gus to be able to follow, Brittany quickly slipped through the crowds, using her height disadvantage to avoid being trapped in the mob of people pushing their way into the Exhibit Hall. Once there, she stopped in the aisle, trying to orient herself.

“Over there.”

Gus, a head taller than her, nodded down an aisle, his hand still hovering over her back to stop the crowd from pushing into her. Seeing where he indicated, she headed in that direction.

This year, Randall’s booth was one of the bigger ones in Retailer’s Row, where designers of everything nerdy could come and sell their wares to the Kickoff attendees. She saw the booth before she finally saw Randall. Never accused of being subtle, her over six foot, Black, male-identifying friend was in his full FlameThrower cosplay—hot pink wig, some sort of glittering unicorn corset layered over one of his own designed t-shirts, a miniskirt that showed off his legs, heels that made him almost seven feet tall, and FlameThrower’s signature bright pink lipstick. Randall had built an online following because of his immaculate cosplay and had often been featured on websites and news stories. When he spotted her, she could see his shoulders sag in relief as he handed a customer their change and a bag.

“You’re late.”

She grinned at his grouchiness. “I’m making an entrance.”

“Your entrance is useless if you’re not live-streaming.”

He was right, but Brittany still flipped him off before turning her back to him and pulling out her phone. She had a few missed calls, all from her mother, and she was ready to spend the day ignoring every single one. Kathleen could wait.

“I’m going to walk around and get the lay of the land. You’re good here?”

She looked up at Gus, who was the picture of professionalism and concern and felt her stomach flip a little. Probably just the weird circumstances they were in.

“I’ll be here for a couple hours, so yeah, I should be good.”

He nodded. “Yell if you need me, but I’ll be close. Do you still have my number?”

“I do.”

Gus gave the booth another once-over and then stepped back.

“Stay safe.”

And then he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Brittany to her morning with Randall. Grateful for the space, she turned back to Randall, who was dying of curiosity.

“Want to tell me why Rambo is here attached to your hip?”

“Not particularly.”

“Do it anyway.”

Brittany sighed. If today was any indication, she was going to spend a lot of her weekend explaining Gus.

“Mom hired me security for the weekend.”

Randall’s eyes narrowed. “Because of that creepy stalker?”

“Yes.”

“Kathleen hired your ex’s brother to be your security this weekend?” Randall had met Brittany’s mother a few months ago when he had been in town. He had read her immediately and had easily become Kathleen’s favorite of Brittany’s friends. But he also had recognized Kathleen for the committed momager that she was and showed nothing but respect for the work and hustle. Kathleen loved him.

“She didn’t know it would be Gus. She just hired the best.”

Randall let his eyes wander to where Gus was slowly walking down the aisle, large and looming, his eyes scanning the crowd for any threats.

“He single?”

“Randall!” Something flared in her stomach. Randall must have picked up something because he threw her a wink, his over-the-top fake lashes making the move extra dramatic.

“That’s a yes. I say go for it. He looks like he could throw you around.”

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