Beautiful Liar (The Reed Rivers Trilogy 2)

Quickly, I decide to press the eject button and get myself out of this crazy-making conversation. Because, holy fuck, I’m not going to be able to keep a poker face for much longer.

“Well, I’ll let you enjoy the party,” I say, smiling. “I can’t wait for our interview, Isabel.”

We talk logistics briefly. She gives me the number of her publicist, and we say a warm and hearty goodbye, sealed with a you’re-my-new-best-friend hug.

“Sincere congratulations on your engagement,” I say, pulling out of our embrace. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks,” she says. But her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

With a little wave to me, she takes a few steps into the crowded party, and stops. She scours the crowd, presumably looking for Howard. But when her eyes obviously land on him at one of the bars, where he’s talking to several high-profile people from the entertainment business, she turns and strides purposefully away, in the exact opposite direction of her future husband.

Chapter 30

Reed

After leaving Georgina with Isabel and Howard, I do a quick lap around the party, looking for Henn. But when I spot Aloha, chatting with the other writer from Rock ‘n’ Roll assigned to the special issue, I decide to intervene.

It’s been a bit of a juggling act to gently steer certain artists to Georgie, rather than Zasu, seeing as how I’m not technically supposed to be involved with interview assignments. But, still, I’ve managed to finesse things to my liking. Specifically, I want Georgina to interview my highest profile artists. People like Aloha. Because, of course, I want Georgina to get the lion’s share of the glory and accolades when the special issue comes out.

That said, however, there are a couple high-profile males on my roster I don’t want coming within ten yards of Georgina. Lady-killers with big swinging dicks. Savage from Fugitive Summer is definitely one of them. Also, Endo from Watch Party.

“Hey, ladies,” I say to Aloha and Zasu. “Aloha, Georgina was looking for you. She wants to nail down what you’re going to do for your interview with her.”

“Oh. Zasu and I were actually—”

“Hey, Zasu. I think Georgina’s idea for Aloha’s interview sounds great. Would you mind letting her take that one?”

“Of course not. That’s fine with me.”

“Great. How about you interview Savage and Endo? They’re both around here somewhere. Maybe you could touch base with them now.”

“Oh. Okay. Sure thing.”

“I saw Endo playing corn hole a few minutes ago,” Aloha says.

“I’ll wander over there now,” Zasu says.

“Great idea.” When she leaves, I turn to Aloha. “Nail something down with Georgina. I want her to get the best interviews.”

She bats her eyelashes. “Aw, Reed. Is someone a smitten kitten?”

“Just do it, Aloha.”

I head back to the main room to look for Henn, and spot Georgina talking to Isabel across the room in a corner. Of course, I stop and watch for a moment. It’s something I’ve been doing all night—secretly watching Georgina as she charms my artists and friends. I’ve loved seeing how seamlessly Georgina fits into my world. How she lights up everyone who encounters her, the same way she lights up my house when she walks through the front door.

But, also, I’ve been watching Georgina from afar all night because I’ve been guarding her. Making sure nobody hits on her.

Georgina wants my artists to think my relationship with her is purely professional—so I’ve respected her wishes and kept my distance tonight. But the downside of me keeping my distance is that none of my artists knows the hot-as-fuck reporter from Rock ‘n’ Roll is taken. Indeed, they think she’s fair game. Frankly, it’s been a crazy-making situation for me, not being able to kiss her in front of everyone to make it abundantly clear she’s all mine.

As I watch Georgina and Isabel talk, it seems to me things are going well. They’re smiling and looking friendly. After a bit, the women hug, which tells me Georgina has landed an in-depth interview, and then Isabel heads off into the party.

I take two steps toward Georgina, intending to head over to her, when Savage from Fugitive Summer swoops in on his mark. Motherfucker. The pair high-fives enthusiastically, which tells me this isn’t their first meeting of the night. Fuck. They chat enthusiastically, their body language familiar and highly friendly. But I keep my distance, out of respect for Georgina’s wishes. I let her do her job. But when Savage puts his hand on Georgina’s shoulder—and then nonchalantly moves a lock of Georgina’s hair off her shoulder—all bets are off.

My heart thundering, I march through the crowd, and straight to the pair.

“I need to speak with you,” I bark to Savage.

“Can it wait? Georgina and I—”

“It can’t wait. Follow me.”

I grab his sleeve and pull him with me, leaving Georgina standing in shocked stillness, her mouth in the shape of a perfect “O.”