Page 10 of Living on the Edge

At least that’s honest and completely fair.

“Well, make sure you’re good to her. We’ve been besties since college.”

That’s not really true, but I appreciate her saying so in an effort to get me brownie points. We were pretty close in college, but we lost touch after graduation, so it’s a stretch to say we’re besties even though we were once.

“How do you and Mick know each other?” I ask politely.

Mick coughs and looks away but Taryn just laughs.

“We did a catalog shoot together. It was for one of those novelty clothing shops and they wanted someone with a rock and roll edge—Mickey fit the bill. It was super fun, and we became friends.”

My gut tells me they became more than friends, based on the way he’s looking at her. Like a man who knows what she looks like naked.

“Wait—you did amodelinggig?” Jonny asks, eyes wide. “How did we not know about this?”

I’m taking mental notes.

This isn’t earth-shattering news but I could have some fun with it on my social media accounts if Rich isn’t interested.

“Thanks, Taryn.” Mick gives her a dirty look, but she shrugs playfully.

“Oh, come on, you were well-paid,andyou got to meet me. What’s wrong with that?”

“You’re right about the money.” He puts a playful arm around her shoulder. “And you and I also got to?—”

“Get your fucking hands off my girlfriend.” Callum appears as if by magic, giving Mick’s shoulder a shove, a menacing look in his dark eyes.

“Easy, bro.” Mick slowly moves his arm from around Taryn and looks Callum square in the eye. “Just saying hello to an old friend. Not hittin’ on your old lady.”

“Damn straight you’re not.” He yanks Taryn by the arm, pulling her into his side.

“Ow. Callum, knock it off.” Taryn looks equal parts annoyed and embarrassed, scowling up at him.

“No one touches what’s mine.”

Taryn rolls her eyes. “Okay, big guy.”

I open my mouth to say something snarky but close it again.

I don’t need to make an enemy out of Callum Yates, even if I don’t like him or his band. I have to be professional, no matter what my personal feelings are about certain people.

“Not worth it,” someone breathes in my ear.

I turn to see Angus taking a pull from a bottle of beer, his face inscrutable, as if he hadn’t just said something.

He’s right, though.

It isn’t worth getting involved.

Callum pulls Taryn in the other direction, and Mick watches them go with a scowl.

“She’s a nice girl. Way too good for me, and definitely too good for him.”

“There’s no accounting for taste,” Jonny says.

“He’s a douche,” Mick mutters.

“Care to share why?” I ask.

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