Page 9 of For The Record

“Or Pennywise,” I say, shuddering at the memory of watching the movieITwith Poppy. I have no idea how she slept after that. “A lot of killers have been clowns.”

“We’ve just met, and already you’re accusing me of a crime, Miss Holland?” Leo’s smile only broadens. “That’s very direct of you.”

“So how does one get into the clown business?” I rest my chin on my palm.

“Oh, you know, it was a family business. My father was a clown, and so was his father before him.”

“You almost sound bitter about it.”

“One can’t help but escape their blood ties.”

“You can say that again.” The pull of my own is all too strong, some days.

“Alright, then. One can’t help but escape—” The leafy ferns that section of the bar from the rest of the ballroom rustle, and I spy Ryder’s leather jacket through the leaves.

My eyes widen. “Crap.”

“Did you just see a clown?”

“Worse. My ex-boyfriend.” That was probably the wrong thing to say, but oh, well. It’s out there now, and I can’t take it back.

“Do you need help getting rid of him? I throw a mean punch.”

“Can you… kiss me?” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them. Leo’s expression tightens, and for a minute, I think he’s going to say no. Then he rests his hand on my nape, and tugs me toward him, my thigh pressing against his. My heart flutters, my eyes half-closing. I can’t tell if I should be excited or worried.

Right as his lips are about to touch mine, he turns his head to the side, his mouth landing on my jaw instead. “Skye, this is probably… a really bad idea.”

His touch leaves a trail of electrifying heat on my skin. His words, though? Well, they stop me cold. I try to pull back. “I know… This is a work thing, and we just met.”

“No, Skye. I assure you, it’s not that.” Leo looks sheepish; like he’s ashamed to be seen with me. I feel hot and cold all at once.

Ryder is now at the opposite end of the bar, but I barely notice him in my peripheral vision, even as embarrassment leaves me tense and flushed.

“Then what is it?” I say, folding my arms over my chest.

“Skye, I’m kind of your boss. I’m the record executive at Volume.”

I almost kissed my boss.

No, Iaskedhim to kiss me.

And he rejected me.

Only my ex-boyfriend’s presence and my last scrap of dignity cause me to remain seated. Otherwise, I would make a beeline for the ladies’ room, or better yet, leave this planet. “Can we just pretend this never happened?”

Just as Leo opens his mouth to respond, I hear Ryder call my name. He strolls toward me, hands in the pockets of his dark wash skinny jeans. Leo’s hand drops from the back of my neck, but not fast enough for Ryder to ignore it. “Skye! Glad you made it.”

Ryder goes in for the Hollywood air kiss. I’m too stunned to move, overwhelmed by his cloying, unfamiliar cologne. He has changed since I last saw him, and that was only a week ago. I know he wanted a friendly face there, but I’m not so sure we can pass for friends right now. So much for step 3 of my plan.

“Mr. Black,” says Leo—or should I say, Mr. Perez? “I hope you’re enjoying the party. I know everyone at Volume is happy to have you here.”

His voice exudes warm but distant professionalism. In contrast, I probably look like a fish, belly up on a boat deck, gasping for life and begging someone to put me out of my misery.

“So, how do you know Miss Holland?” Leo says nonchalantly.

“We used to date,” I say, waving my hand at the bartender. Before I can make an order, though, he sets a tequila sunrise in front of me. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t ask for this.”

He jerks his head toward Ryder. “He bought it for you.”

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