Page 58 of Hollywood Comes Home

Luke roamed closer. “Why can’t you fight?”

“Um hello? My agent will flip a dick.” I removed my sunglasses. “Look at this face. If I ruin my perfect face—”

“He’s sorry he asked.” Ian lifted a hand.

“But I’ll be happy to handle the money, yes.” My smile diminished, and I slipped my glasses back on.

Ian looked at his watch before checking his phone, concerned. “Hmm.”

“What’s u—”

Just as the question left Luke’s mouth, Jenna and Dylan came through the door. She was bent over, holding his small hand as he gripped a toy car in the other. Ian’s face turned from anxiousness to relief. Dylan yanked his hand from Jenna’s and took off running to his dad.

Ian leaned down, picking him up, sitting him on his knee. Dylan shoved his car in his dad’s face. While Ian made a big deal over his son’s interests, I hugged Jenna. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leaned as close to my ear as she could.

“Amber texted me.” I could hear the happiness in her voice.

Sure enough, when I pulled away from the hug, her face was beaming. I chuckled, nodding. She grabbed her back, groaning.

I took her hand in mine. “Here, sit.”

She snickered. “If I sit on that couch, I might not get back up. I haven’t rested in days.” Turning her attention to Luke, she grinned. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” Waltzing over, he gave her a quick side hug. “You?”

She sighed. “Ready to get her out of my body and no more. I’m done. Having to chase a toddler while pregnant is tiring.”

Luke laughed. “I bet.”

“Babe,” she twisted to Ian, “On my way up, Jade said to let you know that Alejandro was in the Blue Lounge requesting Amber.”

Ian growled. My eyes met Luke’s, and we clenched our jaws simultaneously.

For once in my life, I didn’t say what was on my mind. Ian seemed more stressed. Something was weighing on his mind. With a new baby on the way, the warehouse, running his multiple businesses, and whatever else he had going on, I could feel the tension radiating through the room.

Nodding, he hugged and kissed Dylan on the cheek before standing. “Jen, we need to get downstairs. Is Mila coming up tonight? Tyler is busy working late.”

“I actually just finished having dinner with them and am about to go home. I really want to go to bed early.”

“I’ll meet you guys downstairs in a few.” He turned to Luke. “Go handle Alejandro.”

* * *

I tagged along with Luke if for no other reason than I wanted to witness him putting Alejandro in his place. Unfortunately, Luke remained professional, lying to him about Amber training new girls. He accepted the offer of other dancers and he and I planted ourselves in the back of the Blue Lounge next to the pool table. In exchange for Amber’s absence, Luke told Jade to bring in three other dancers who had been working at the club the longest.

Luke summoned Jade with a slight nod. Speeding over, she stopped in front of us, clutching a clipboard and tablet close to her chest. “What’s up?”

Curling his fingers around her arm, he pulled her close, whispering, “I don’t want you staying in here tonight.”

She spun to leave instantly.

“Is something going on with you two?” I muttered, shifting my gaze to his.

Ignoring me, he lifted his chin to the girls who’d started dancing around the room, teasing the wealthy businessmen. Narrowing my eyes on Alejandro, I watched as he tried his best to paw at the women. They were clever in the way they danced out of his advances. It then occurred to me he wasn’t genuinely interested in Amber. He was using her for something.

Leaning over to Luke, I opened my mouth to speak. As if he could read my mind, he twitched his fingers, subtly stopping me. I crossed my arms, leaning on the billiard table, counting down the moments until I got to go watch my perfect girlfriend dance.

Alejandro kept glancing back at us, tightening his gaze on me. The guy was shady as fuck! Luke ripped me from my thoughts when he elbowed me in the side. Cunningly, he pointed toward the door, ordering me to leave.

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