Page 67 of Siren's Game

But something shifted between us. Something that makes my heart flutter and my face break into a cheesy grin.

It finally doesn’t feel one-sided anymore.

And now, I’m sitting in the car outside of a TV building where Kayla and Millie have all kinds of interviews the whole day, waiting for Luca to come back to the car. He insisted on paying his girlfriend a visit at work today and demanded I drive him here.

I wish I could have gone inside with Luca, but we're so late for training already that I don't dare get caught up in her the way I inevitably would. It probably would have ended in bickering and us shooting the shit and I’m not taking a risk of being late today.

Rich is one scary motherfucker. I'm not trying to poke the beast by being late.

Instead, I scroll through social media. What can I say, I'm curious.

There are headlines over headlines about Millie and Luca. Fans speculating how long it has been going on, who initiated what and so much more.

At least they had a cute picture taken of the two of them. Thinking back about the kind of pics that made the headlines with my prior relationships . . . they've gotten lucky.

I can't even say that any of the articles are negative but oh boy. The comments. The comments are a whole other beast. I'm not sure why everyone has such a dislike for Millie and I'm too afraid to ask, but the hate that people spew under the guise of anonymity on the internet is astounding.

My head shoots up when Luca pulls the passenger door open and jumps into the seat.

"Alright, let's go."

Kayla: Why didn't you come inside?

I stare at her message, a smile slowly spreading on my face. She wanted me to come in and that makes me giddier than I have any business being for a woman.

I’m finally starting to break her defenses. She’s finally starting to let me in and tell me what she wants from me. That’s seems huge for her.

Asher: Had to be ready to floor it. Sorry. Next time?

My eyes remain glued to my phone as I wait for her reply, my heartbeat quickening and my face breaking into a smile when I see the three little dots appear. It seems more monumental than it probably is, but her admitting to wanting to spend time with me is like a new high I want to chase.

Finally, my phone buzzes in my hand with her answer.

Kayla: I think I would like that.

Yes! I punch the air, causing Luca to look at me confused. He raises his eyebrow, an unspoken question, but I shake my head and look back at my phone, thumbs flying over the screen to answer.

Asher: Are you free tonight?

"Hey, Van," Luca says and lifts his hand for a friendly wave as our manager appears around the corner to the cafeteria, walking towards us with intent.

"Luca," he greets him back with a nod and turns to me. "Asher."

I make a two-finger salute at him before I return my eyes to my phone. That is until Van shares some news.

"Luca, I've got to tell you before you see on social media." My head shoots up, now alert and the hair on my neck standing up at his tone.

What the fuck is happening? He sounds more serious than I've ever heard him in all the years we’ve worked together. Did someone die?

"There's been an incident at a coffee shop. Millie's been attacked." Both of us take a sharp breath and Luca immediately jumps up.

"What?" Luca exclaims, his face white as a sheet, already reaching for his bag, ready to storm off and rain hell. I cross my arms over my chest anxiously, my phone forgotten.

"She’s fine,” Van immediately adds reassuringly. “Her bodyguards were with her and jumped in immediately. Nothing really happened, besides shock. I just wanted to loop you in before the internet brings it out of context and exaggerates.”

"She's alright?" Luca asks, worry painting his face and his hands still fidgeting with his bag.

"She's alright."

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