Page 59 of All Twerk, No Play

“Dude, you’re going to get so much pussy,” Alexander had told him. Nick met my eyes apologetically for his brother’s language. “What? It’s true! Chicks will throw themselves at him. He’ll get over that summer fling in no time.”

Nick’s eyes had shuttered with pain. When Alexander hit the bathroom, I reached for Nick’s arm. “She broke your heart, huh?”

“I asked her to come with me, but … ” his thumb rubbed the condensation off his glass.

My heart clenched at the tears welling in Nick’s eyes. “He’s right, you know. Women will want Dominic Martin, the movie star. It’s going to be hard to find somebody who sees the real Nick underneath.”

Nick’s blue eyes brimmed with misery, and I wanted to destroy the woman who hurt him. “Want me to have her killed?”

That lightened his mood as he rubbed his neck. “Nah, she probably made the right call. She’s an incredible artist, and a New Yorker through and through. She’ll make her own name for herself.”

Seven years later, he still had lingering feelings.

And soon he would have to see her again.

At his brother’s wedding, with her fiancé at her side.

My problem-solving gears turned. “Is this your way of volunteering to be my wedding date?”

He laughed, a mirthful roar. “As much as I’d love to see Alex’s face, and as gorgeous as you’d look … you wouldn’t want to be my date.”

“Why the hell not?” Who wouldn’t wantPeople’s Sexiest Man Alive as their date? Hell, Nick might be the only person Beverly wouldn’t accuse of being a gold digger.

“For seven years, I’ve been in the public spotlight without a girlfriend. I can’t sneeze near a woman without the tabloids speculating on whether she’s carrying my illegitimate baby.”

“You remember who my grandfather is? I grew up with that scrutiny.”

“And you left to start over,” he reminded me. “Page Six paparazzi are a different breed from Bloomsberg reporters. They’d dig through your trash for a scandal.”

Eric stepped into my bedroom, wet hair dripping onto shoulders, the V of his torso pointing to what lived below the towel slung low along his hips. My pulse quickened.

“So do you finally agree with me? You were way too good for my brother.”

“Yes, I finally agree.” I laughed, remembering how Nick used to drive Alexander crazy by teasing that I’d chosen the wrong brother and he’d be ready when I came to my senses.

Eric’s gaze lifted to my face as I covered my mouth. I forced my eyelids closed … until they flickered back open again of their own volition, locking on the water drops on his obliques.

“You know, it might help to see her happy,” I said to Nick inattentively, watching Eric’s abs ripple as he tilted side-to-side to towel dry his hair. His grip loosened on his towel, sliding an inch lower and revealing a dark happy trail. I licked my lips to keep talking. “It was hard at first, seeing Alexander’s new life. But watching it up close is helping me move on.”

Eric turned around to drop his towel, revealing a perfect ass and sculpted thighs. My mouth went dry. As he pulled on his boxers, I reached for the Gatorade he’d left on my nightstand.

Nick sounded skeptical. “You’re really ok? Last time we talked you seemed pretty jaded.”

Eric tilted his head to check in as he tied back his wild mane of wet hair. I nodded that I was ok, and he pulled on workout shorts before heading into the kitchen, leaving his shirt on my dresser.

“A lot can change in a few months. Now we can focus on being business partners. And friends.”

My shorthand message clicked. I picked up the scrap of paper again.

Cz f~ Ac + Nc heart.

Cruz is your friend, like Alex and Nick. I rubbed my thumb over the heart. “Maybe you and Kate can be friends too.”

“Yeah,” he said, voice hoarse. “Maybe.”

The sizzling scent of garlic and chili wafted in from the kitchen, awakening tastebuds that didn’t churn at the smell.

“I’m sorry Nick, but I’ve got to go.” I decided to give him more reassurance that I was over Alexander by putting on a haughty elitist tone. “My gentleman caller from last night is making me breakfast.”

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