Dangerous Fling (Dangerous Noise 4)

"You are going to work with them when we shoot this video."

"Okay. Yeah. To the band. But after I've put in notice with Danielle. And I'm not doing that until—" She presses her thumb and first two fingers together in the universal symbol for money.

"Sure."

Her eyes go back to her computer. "I think we're actually done sketching this out."

"Good. Restaurant closed fifteen minutes ago."

She blushes as her eyes go to the clock on her monitor. "Shit. Have we really been talking about this for four hours?"

"More like three and a half."

"I should send this to you." Her eyes stay on the screen. "I already have your email in my contacts." She smiles. "Are you always this thorough?"

"What do you think?"

"I think so." She puts away her laptop as I order another round.

Without the excuse of work, the table falls quiet.

Her expression shifts. It's not exactly that she's less excited. It's the same look Ethan gets after he nails a song or steps off stage. She's basking in the satisfaction of a job well done.

I study her. She's gorgeous, smart, talented.

Work is her priority.

But then she's also crushing on Malcolm Strong, stoic celebrity bad boy.

That might be bad news.

And I'm not letting my cock talk me out of my concerns. I'm not breaking another heart. Not if I can help it.

"Your place looked new," I say.

She nods. "Moved in last week."

"And out of your ex's place?"

"It was our place, technically."

"But?"

"But nothing. We lived together for the last two years. Then I moved into my own place."

I nod.

She downs another long sip. "I'm not going to share anything about my breakup unless you ask. Even if you ask. It's really none of your business."

"If you want to tell me why you left your boyfriend of four years to move into a shitty apartment in Long Beach, go ahead."

Her brow furrows. "Maybe we should talk about the video."

"You have more to say about it?"

"I… well, I. You really want me to polish the video with me in it?"

"You're perfect as the nice girl who broke my heart, Lacey. But I get it if you don't want that kind of attention."