Page 10 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

Eeyore’s lips droop. “I worked on that project.”

I clear my throat. “Sorry. Just being honest. My point is, Hollywood is so far up its own ass that it’s lost touch with reality.”

“Are you sayingwe’re so far up our own asses thatwe’reout of touch with reality?” Grant asks. It’s not angry. It’s a challenge. His eyebrow cocks up and his eyes narrow.Game on, he seems to be saying.

What that game is, I’m not sure anymore. Because while my synapses are on fire, loving each and every moment of our little game, the place between my thighs is burning harder with desire. “I didn’t say that exactly, but by the transitive property…”

He laughs again and this time some of his friends laugh too. I’ve won them over a bit. I tend to have that effect on people. “Okay, so whatdoyou want?” he asks.

“I want…” For a moment, I’m not sure what to say. Because I want him. With every fiber in my being. And that desire is made even stronger knowing that I can’t have him. “I want something new. New artists. New stories. Not the same old ring around the rosy. Audiences aren’t dumb.” I glance at the group. “I know you think they are, but they’re not.”

“Do you have some stories in you, Harley?” Grant asks, tilting his head to the side, considering me from every angle.

If I was brave and maybe more unhinged than I am, I’d throw myself at him and kiss him.Thatwould be a story. But this is a thing that can never be. I’ll dream about it tonight and then be over it. That’s the way it should be. “I’m just a radio personality. But I’ve heard so many stories, so many amazing things in the strangest of places. You can’t underestimate the value of a good story. No matter where it comes from.”

He nods slowly. “I like that.”

What else do you like?

I am suddenly overcome with a wave of embarrassment. “Anyway. I should…other guests,” I say, gesturing to the rest of the party.

“One second–” Grant says before I step away.

My heart pounds as he reaches toward me, grabs the beer out of my hand, and twists it off with just his palm. “Jeez, you’re strong.”

He chuckles. “It’s a twist off.”

I flush from head to toe as I accept the beer from him. “Well. Thanks. Cheers.”

As I walk away, I chug half the beer in one go, hoping my heartbeat will stop racing.

It doesn’t.

4

GRANT

Itake a deep breath and stare up at the sky. It’s pink and blue like a sunburnt bruise, a beautiful combination of colors. Soon, it will be total nightfall, and then, inevitably, the fireworks will start. We have a perfect view of the city’s displays.

I’ve stayed much longer than I anticipated staying. I should have known that Kent’s party would be a blast. They always have been, ever since his dorm parties back in college.

I’ve been talking nonstop to old friends and new, and Victoria’s been having her own fun as Stella, Gillian’s little girl, follows her around. She doesn’t even know who Victoria is and she’s gravitated toward her. Just the energy my sister gives off draws people in like moths to a flame.

Those aren’t the reasons I’ve stuck around this late, though.

No, the list of reasons why I’m here is short and sweet. It begins and ends with Harley.

I’m ashamed to admit it, especially since she’s the daughter of my best friend and she’s so young. I can’t even remember my twenties, at least not well, what with all the partying and late nights.

Despite both of those things, though, she’s full of fire. Of life. Just the short conversation we had over the cooler about the stories stirred my manhood to an unprecedented degree. She’s sharp and witty, unapologetic.Free.

I haven’t met many women like her, especially in this town where we all have masks on all the time to impress each other.

Since that conversation, though, I can’t help but notice she’s kept her distance. Maybe I’m coming on too strong. Maybe she can tell that I’m not just looking at her with kind eyes but with want. The last thing I want to be is a creepy older man. And I’d hate if she said something to her dad about me. Dear god, that would be horrible. I wouldn’t even know what to say if Kent brought it up to me. I’m a notoriously bad liar when it comes to him. Especially since shit hit the fan with his ex-wife. He doesn’t deserve any more lies in his life.

The last I saw of her, she was getting another stern talking to from her dad after arguing with Gillian, the one who runs the vegan bakery. Those two always seem to be squabbling. That’s siblings for you.

She was rolling her eyes, arms crossed over her chest, showing off a tattoo on the underside of her arm I hadn’t noticed before. From far away, I couldn’t make it out. I’d love to get a closer look, though. Far be it from me to be deserving of that, though. A dad’s much older best friend shouldn’t be asking about tattoos and meanings.

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