He drops his head. “I know we can’t, but I really want to. Did you hear that Kent has organized an interview on Sunday night for us with Angel’s sister Tori? An exclusive live chat so Angel and I can reaffirm our love and assure everyone we’re stronger than ever. I don’t think I can do it. I really don’t. I’m so tired of pretending. I can’t wait until all this is over and I can tell the world I’m in love with you. For real.”
There’s a noise behind him, and he looks over his shoulder. “K, I’d better go. I have to get changed and go sign autographs at stage door with Angel. It’s required.” He looks back at me, and smiles. “I’ll talk to you soon, okay? I love you.”
He reaches forward, and then the screen goes black.
I lie back on the bed and close my eyes.
Kent is such a prick for making them do that interview. It’s like rubbing salt into their wounds.
My need to take him down intensifies.
Apart from a few incriminating posts about him on a site called Agents Behaving Badly, the Internet has been a bust, so if I want to put this guy in his place, I’m going to need to think creatively.
I deepen my breathing and concentrate. In order to catch a rat, I need to think like a rat.
If Kent were me, what would he do?
I go through several different scenarios until a kernel of an idea hits me.
Oh. Wow. Could that actually work?
I think it through some more, and when I’m done, I feel myself smiling. It’s so simple, it’s genius.
They say you have to fight fire with fire? Fine. That’s what we’re going to do.
I sit up and yell, “Josh!”
Within seconds, he’s poking his head around the door. “You bellowed?”
“I have an idea, but it’s risky. And it’s going to take all of us to pull it off.”
Josh flops onto my bed with an excited expression on his face. “Sounds pervy. Count me in.”
TWENTY-ONE
THE STING
I put the finishing touches on my lipstick and step back to assess the result.
Not bad.
When Marco called and said he wanted me at opening night, I was so happy, I cried. I’d invested so much hard work in this production, it devastated me to think I wouldn’t get to see it come to life. I was also happy because it helped solidify my plan against Kent.
When Liam found out I was attending, he sent me presents. Lots of them. The first was a vintage midnight-blue Givenchy gown. Corseted bodice. Full skirt. Absolutely beautiful. He also sent a stunning diamond-and-sapphire necklace with matching earrings, a glittery clutch that’s probably worth more than my MacBook, and red-soled shoes that are so pretty I feel bad wearing them; they should be on a shelf somewhere, being admired.
I’ve never received anything so extravagant. With my hair curled and my makeup completed, I feel like the ‘after’ photo in one of those jaw-dropping makeovers. Even though I know Liam and I won’t get to spend much time together tonight, I have to admit, I can’t wait to see his reaction. I think he’ll be pleased.
“Lissa! The car’s downstairs. You ready?”
I throw my lipstick into my clutch and head out to the living room, where Josh is waiting. He looks beyond handsome in his tux, and his wild hair is tamed for once. Very sleek. Angel’s eyes are going to bug out of her head.
When he hears my footsteps, he turns. I smile when his eyes go wide and his mouth drops. “Oh. Fuck. Me.”
“I don’t think Liam would agree to that, but thanks for the offer.”
He looks me up and down several times before speaking again. “Okay. So, yes. Well done. Hotness achieved. Quinn may actually shoot his load in his pants when he sees you. Better take some tissues.”
I laugh and grab my keys. “Come on. They’re waiting for us.”
When we get down to the street, a stretch limo is waiting. As we approach, the driver opens the door, and Josh and I climb in. Angel and Liam are already inside, and when Liam sees me, his reaction is similar to Josh’s, but even more extreme. I react to him in the same way. As Josh and I sink into the plush leather seats opposite him and Angel, I can’t help but stare. Although I’ve seen him in a tux dozens of times on the Internet, I’ve never experienced it up close, and let me tell you, the power of him in the flesh is a totally different experience. If the definition of hotness ever took human form and walked the earth, it would look like Liam right now. Add that to having not been this close to him for nearly a week, and I’m not prepared for how violently my body reacts.
“Hi,” I say as I drink in his appearance. Every ounce of saliva in my mouth has dried up.
“Hi.” Liam’s voice cracks. He seems to be having the opposite problem. He swallows and tries again. “Sorry. Hi.” His voice cracks again. “Dammit. I feel like a teenager. You look . . .” He shakes his head, then wipes his mouth. “I’m actually drooling. That’s how good you look.”
Angel rolls her eyes. “God, Liam. Gross.” She holds out her hands, and I take them. “Hey, my darling friend. I’ve missed the hell out of you. And P.S.—you’re stunning. As disgusting as Liam’s salivation is, I can’t say I blame him.”