Page 21 of Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars (Rock Canyon, Idaho 2)

He took it from her and unclasped it. “I thought you might like it.”

“I can’t accept this,” Gemma said, putting her hand over his. “It’s too much.”

“No, it’s not,” he said, slipping it around her neck. Once it was secure, he slid the clasp up to hide it under her curls. “There. Just enough.”

Her hand reached up to cover it and her mouth opened, but he caught her protest with a kiss.

Releasing her mouth slowly, he said, “And it’s you, Gem. It’s not the dress or the makeup, it’s you.” Taking her hand, he set it on his sleeve and said, “We should probably get going before I forget myself and take you back upstairs.”

To his surprise, she snorted. “Not on your life, pal. I’m running on five hours of sleep and enough caffeine to keep an elephant awake, and it took me three hours to get ready. We are going to this party.”

Biting back a grin, he said, “Whatever you want, Cinderella. I’m at your disposal.”

GEMMA HAD TRIED to avoid the line of reporters outside, snapping photographs, and had been thankful when Travis had introduced her to the owner of the hotel, Callum O’Shea. Callum had helped her bypass the paparazzi and come in the back way, while Travis had strutted his stuff.

The first thing she’d asked when they’d made it inside was where the bar was. Callum, who was in his early thirties and very handsome, with an Irish brogue and laughing green eyes, had snagged a couple of glasses of champagne, and they’d made small talk until Travis had joined them, his arms snaking around her waist. There were several more photographers inside. Every once in a while Gemma caught a flash, and her stomach tightened.

This is a public event, being covered by newspapers and magazines. I might as well just do my best to have a good time.

They’d sat down for dinner, and Gemma had choked when she’d learned how much her plate of half-eaten rosemary chicken had cost. She hadn’t been very hungry—her nerves were too shot—but the champagne helped take the edge off.

After dinner, Gemma had gripped Travis’s arm tightly as he led her around the large ballroom, introducing her to various celebrities and people she’d never heard of but who were, apparently, CEOs of some very important companies. Callum had introduced Travis and Gemma to his friends, Jake Warren—who owned a multimillion-dollar online dating site, TheLastFirstKiss.com—and Jesse Prince. Gemma recognized Jesse, who was the quarterback of the Boise Grizzlies, Idaho’s professional football team. Once she told him she was from Rock Canyon, it had opened up the conversation to places in the area to hike. Gemma had never been much for outdoorsy things, but she had enough friends who did to know where to go.

A waiter walked by with a tray of glasses and she grabbed one, trying to be discreet as she gulped down the contents. She felt like a fish out of water and needed a little more liquid courage to calm down.

While Travis talked to Callum about Ireland, he slipped his hand from the small of her back to take her hand, intertwining their fingers naturally. Gemma smiled at Travis, and the heat in his eyes caused her breath to catch in her throat.

“So, what are y’all talking about?”

Gemma glanced over at a thin blonde who had her eyes trained on Travis.

“Hello, Chelsey,” Travis said coldly, and the bottom of Gemma’s stomach dropped.

Chelsey Cooper was a newer country singer who catered to the crossover pop/country that the younger generation seemed to enjoy. Gemma liked a few of her songs, but some of her whinier stuff was grating.

“Who’s your friend, Travis?” Chelsey’s dark eyes narrowed as they fell on Travis and Gemma’s clasped hands. She looked amazing in a strapless black dress that ended just above her knees and fit like a second skin. Gemma had to bite back a wave of jealousy.

She’s probably one of those girls who can eat whatever she wants and not gain a pound.

Travis squeezed her hand. “This is my old friend, Gemma. Gemma, this is my opener, Chelsey Cooper.”

“Oh, come on, you make it sound like we don’t even like each other,” Chelsey said, her tone warm and suggestive. It was obvious something was going on between the two of them. “I have to say, that’s a very pretty dress,” she said to Gem

ma, taking a sip from her glass. “So, old friend, how well do you know Travis?”

Gemma tried to keep her hackles from rising at the woman’s snide tone. “We were friends in high school.”

Chelsey leaned close to Gemma and lowered her voice. “We’re not talking just friends, are we, honey?”

Gemma could smell the alcohol on Chelsey’s breath and decided to try to excuse her behavior. “Just between us girls, your mascara is running.”

Chelsey opened her mouth to say something else, but Jake Warren jumped in and took her hand. “Why don’t we move over to the bar and get a drink? We can see where things take us.”

Gemma noticed Chelsey’s eyes straying to Travis again, but he had already turned back to his conversation with Callum. Gemma almost felt sorry for the woman, remembering what it was like to be in love with Travis but never think she had a chance with him. Chelsey caught Gemma watching her and, with a glare, let Jake lead her toward the bar. Gemma’s compassion dissolved.

“So, what do you think of Redfish Lake? Good camping up there?”

Jesse’s voice broke into Gemma’s dark thoughts, and she smiled as she answered. “It’s beautiful. You definitely want to stay there a few days and explore, but I would take some bear mace.”

---