Angel stands and gives him a hug. “You’re welcome. At least one of us is getting laid. It’s been so long for me, I’ve almost forgotten what a penis looks like.”
Josh clears his throat. “May I interest you in a high-quality selection of dick pics, delivered straight to your phone? Elissa can attest to the fact that they’re quite artistic.”
Angel raises her eyebrow at me. “Do I want to know why you’ve seen pictures of Josh’s dick?”
“No,” I say with a laugh. “You really don’t.”
Liam frowns at me. “Do I want to know?”
“It was an accident, trust me. Now, maybe you and Josh can go and grab something for us all to eat. We have to head to rehearsal soon and I’d like Angel to get some rest before we go.”
“Sure.” He gives me a quick kiss. “We’ll be right back. Unless Josh decides to beat me up on the way, in which case . . . well . . . We’ll be right back.”
Josh gives him a disdainful look. “There’s a lot of traffic in New York, Quinn. Wouldn’t it be a shame if Hollywood’s leading meathead got hit by a car?”
Liam laughs, then opens the door. “Okay, tough guy. Clearly I need to buy you a bagel to purge your rage.”
“A bagel and a cookie,” Josh corrects. “And a crapload of very black, very strong coffee.”
“You drive a hard bargain. Fine. Get your keys and let’s go.”
Liam heads downstairs, and after Josh grabs his keys off the table, he turns to Angel. “Just so you know, I was joking about the dick pics. Mostly. But I am here for you if you need me. I know you’re probably hurting about this whole situation, and sometimes it’s best to get over someone by getting under someone else, you know? Rebound sex can be very cathartic.”
Angel tilts her head, a bemused smirk on her face. “Liam and I were never in a proper relationship, Josh. No rebound necessary.”
“So you say. But Magic Mike and I are available if you happen to change your mind.”
“Magic Mike?” When I snort, she smiles. “That’s . . . sweet, Josh. Thanks.”
“No problem. Anytime.”
When the door closes behind him, I shake my head. “My best friend, ladies and gentlemen.”
“You have great taste in friends,” Angel says, then yawns. “Just look at me.”
She rubs her eyes, and the apartment is engulfed in silence. I know Angel seems to be coping with the situation, but if I were her, I’d have a healthy dose of resentment over the whole thing.
“So,” I say, as I turn to her. “How do you really feel about me and Liam? Honestly.”
She shrugs and flops back onto the couch. “Honestly? It’s hard to tell. I’m still extremely drunk.”
“Do you want to hit me?”
“No.”
“Not even a little?”
“And ruin my manicure? That’s crazy talk.” She gives me a smile. “More than anything, I’m angry at myself for not seeing it coming. I could tell he was weird around you; I just didn’t know why. In all our time together, Liam refused to talk about past relationships. The closest he came was one night when were both tanked and jet-lagged, and he muttered a remark about how he’d done something unforgivable once upon a time and lost the love of his life. I never suspected he’d dumped his one true love so he could pretend to be in love with me. That’s new information.”
“Are you mad?”
“No. Just disappointed he didn’t tell me that he’s been pining for you all these years. I mean, we’ve been through all this craziness together from the moment we both signed on to Rageheart, and even though he’s endured countless hours of me whining about my issues with my dad and my sister, he never once confided in me about what he was going through with you, or his dyslexia. It makes me feel like crap, you know? I thought we were closer than that.”
She looks down, and I put my hand over hers and squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
She takes a sip of her drink. “I’ll get over it. At least this stupid charade is coming to an end. The only man I’ve had between my legs in recent years is my waxologist, Hernando, and he’s gay. I’m jealous Liam’s finally getting some relief.”
“Liam told me that you guys tried to . . .” I look down at my hands. “Make it work once?”
She laughs. “God, it was so bad. Awkward as hell. I mean, Liam’s gorgeous and everything, but he does nothing for me. I love him like a brother. Weird, right?”
“Not really. That’s exactly how I feel about Josh.”
She screws up her face. “Seriously? You’ve never wanted to throw that hot geek down and fuck him?”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Never.”
“Well, that’s just bizarre.”
“Hey, you just told me you have no vaginal impulses toward ‘People’s Sexiest Man Alive’ three years running, but you’re surprised I don’t want to do my best friend?”
“Well, yeah. Liam’s good-looking and all, but Josh is hot. I’m considering taking him up on his offer for sex, even if it’s only so I can break my dry spell.” There’s a mischievous glint in her eye I’ve seen too many times to trust.
“You fake me out so often, I have no clue if you’re joking or not right now.”