Page 63 of Heart Set on You

“You may want to think about getting your own date. Did you bring Maya with you?” Miles asks.

“Maya who? She broke up with me for some rock star. She’ll realize the mistake she made soon enough.”

“I would imagine so,” Miles jokes. “Doesn’t she know who you are? I mean, doesn’t everyone?”

“If they don’t, they should. My mom says I’m a big fucking deal.” Zach winks and shakes Miles’ hand then kisses my knuckle. “If you tire of this guy, slip into my DMs.”

We continue our walk along the red carpet, my hand in his and his lips at my ear. “You are a natural, babe.” I know there are a million photos being taken of me right now but all I can see is Miles. “All I want to do is get this over with and take you home and fuck you,” he whispers in my ear and my face heats. “Smile, babe. There are people taking our picture.”

Cheeky boy.

He’s looking at me with a devilish grin while I plaster a smile on my face. He dips his head down and kisses my temple and lights flash from every direction. Photographers shout his name, and the fans go wild.

He laughs and whispers into my ear again. “Told you they’d love you.”

And I can’t help but wonder if he’s right.

* * *

The dinner is held in the grand ballroom of the Beverly Hilton hotel. We make our way to our table to find Violet already seated when we reach the table. Even if I didn’t see her sitting there with my own two eyes, I would have felt her glaring at me.

“Hi Violet,” Miles says, pulling out my seat and then taking the one beside me. He introduces himself to Violet’s date, who turns out to be her brother, Max.

Violet smiles tightly, which seems to be her normal expression. I take a sip from my water glass, choosing to ignore her.

For three hours, we dine on Kobe beef and lobster tails, Miles’ hand on my thigh under the table for most of the night. We make small talk with our table and other celebrities who approach Miles. He never forgets to introduce me. And when I say I’m starstruck it’s an understatement.

Once dinner is over, I excuse myself to go to the washroom while Miles chats with a director he knows.

I’m washing my hands when Violet walks in, looking both unamused and unimpressed that I’m breathing the same air as her.

Holding my shoulders back, I refuse to let her know how much she gets to me. Her confidence typically unnerves me, but not this time. I’m not hiding. I refuse to allow her to let me feel less than her.

“I had no idea you and Miles are dating,” she purrs. “I hope things won’t be awkward on set when you aren’t anymore.”

“Excuse me?” I say, meeting her eyes. How does this woman have the nerve?

Violet snickers under her breath. “I’m being candid, which I hope you can appreciate. Miles doesn’t do relationships, so save yourself the heartbreak by not getting too attached. You’ll thank me later.”

I’ve never hated anything more. Not mosquitos, not traffic jams, not even the dentist. I’d rather lose one of my fingers than stand here and chat with her for five more seconds.

“I’m just telling you the truth. Miles will bore of you soon and go back to his womanizing ways.”

“Thank you for clarifying, but I heard you perfectly fine the first time.”

She smirks, her expression chilly. I can’t figure out why she goes out of her way to torment me. The world is her oyster. Why does she even care about Miles and me?

I’m on the verge of saying something I’ll regret, but then I compose myself. The last thing I need is to be a part of a public scandal. I try to conceal the glare in my eyes. “Enjoy your night, Violet.” And then I walk out.

“There you are.” Miles’ lips caress the back of my neck, his breath on my skin causing a shiver when I enter the ballroom. “This is for you.” He passes me a flute of champagne. Lord knows I need it.

With his hand settled against my lower back, we walk towards the bar. Violet walks past us with a curt grin on her face. “Everything okay with her?”

“Everything is fine,” I respond stiffly.

The night has gone so well, Miles is happy and in his element, and I would like him to stay that way. But everything Violet said to me in the washroom sticks with me. Am I being naïve to think he cares about me the same way I do for him? Am I only setting myself up to be crushed?

Then Miles turns his dreamy eyes to mine and my worries all but disappear. He looks at me like he wants me. Right here and right now. His lips tip up into that Hollywood smile that I’m sure gets him anything he wants. I know it works every time with me.

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