Changing Roles

“A-ha?” I mumbled at her. “Really?”

“Good, Liam. You’re learning.” She stepped to the front. “I need to be closer.”

I opened my legs, and Shelby stood between them, working on the front. She was so close I could smell the light perfume of her skin as she worked away. I drew in a deep breath, letting the scent fill me, finding the unique calm that Shelby personified with it. “Don’t leave a big bald spot,” I teased.

She tapped my chin. “Don’t tempt me.”

I squeezed her hips affectionately, and somehow, my hands stayed there. No doubt to help keep her steady.

They felt strangely right there.

Everett walked in and sat. I heard him speak quietly to Lily before he addressed me. “Okay, Liam. Slight change of plans.”

Shelby stopped cutting, and I opened my eyes to look at him. I didn’t like his tone of voice. “What’s up?”

“Carly is ill. She had to cancel.”

My throat went dry. “Gillian?” I managed to get out.

“Out of town. You’re stag tonight, Liam.”

My stomach rolled, and the panic set in. Hard. I gripped Shelby’s hips, my throat closed, and my breathing became labored.

Alone. I’d have to walk the red carpet alone.

Screaming. All the women would be screaming. Yelling my name, crying. Grabbing at me. The memory of the night I was pulled into the crowd and mauled flashed through my head. The hands touching me everywhere and voices screaming in my ears still made me shudder. I knew I’d have security around me tonight, but I couldn’t stop the panic.

I was aware of the sound of metal hitting the floor. Tender, warm hands gripped my face, and a soothing voice was in my ear, pleading and assuring me.

“It’s okay, Liam. I’m right here. Right here. You’re safe. Open your eyes and look at me.”

Struggling, I wrenched my eyes open and stared into the clear blue eyes of Shelby. Eyes filled with warmth and compassion. Nonjudgmental, only caring.

Safe.

Home.

Shelby.

With a groan, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close and letting my head fall into her stomach. Her hands moved through my hair in comfort. I felt her body turn slightly.

“Everett,” she hissed. “You jackass! You had to say it like that? You know he doesn’t handle this well.”

There was the sound of a chair moving, and then I felt Everett standing beside me. “Sorry, Liam,” he apologized. “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”

I didn’t lift my head, feeling embarrassed at the overreaction but unable to control it. It was my weakness. One, with a great deal of help, I kept hidden from the world. Large, screaming crowds around me. When I had first started out and became an overnight success, it was harrowing. At one event, there hadn’t been proper security, and I had been pulled into a frenzied crowd. By the time they got me out, I was scratched, bruised, my clothes were shredded, tufts of my hair were missing, and I was left with an overwhelming fear of masses of people. The only way I had managed since then was with a friend to walk beside me and hold my hand, Everett and Mark, my security guy, behind me, and a Xanax before leaving the house. Although I had other women who attended events with me, Carly and Gillian were my two favorite go-to friends. It was great exposure for them, and beyond helpful to me. Since I had worked with each of them, they knew of my panic attacks but kept the information well-hidden. The same way I respected and kept their personal relationship with each other a secret.

To the world, I was a carefree bachelor who dated casually and often. Carly and Gillian were both frequent “dates,” although all of us denied being anything other than what we really were—friends. The press did what they wanted with it, and none of us cared.

Only a few people knew the real truth.

But neither of them was available tonight. My panicked eyes met Shelby’s calm ones.

“We’ll figure this out, Liam.” She glanced at Everett. “Surely there is someone else you can ask?”

He shook his head. “The gala is in three hours. I tried.”

She looked over at Lily. “Lily?”

“I can’t. It’s my partner’s birthday. I have fifty people who’ll be waiting at a restaurant tonight. I can’t cancel.” Lily stood. “But…maybe?”

We all looked at her.

“What about you, Shelby? You could go with him.”

“What?” Shelby’s voice was horrified. “Me? Are you crazy?”

Lily shook her head. “No, it’s perfect. You know Liam. You can keep him relaxed. You know Ev and Mark. You could go.”

Shelby gaped at her. “Even if I agreed, I can’t. I have nothing to wear. I don’t own a fancy dress!”

Lily clapped her hands. “Well, today is your lucky day. I have a dress and shoes in the car that would be perfect for you.” She blushed and added hopefully, “I designed the dress. If you wore it, it might get my name out there.”