As the discussion came to a close, Kendra clasped her hands together. “Jada, in addition to imbibing wine and having a book discussion, we like to do a different activity each month to really make our book club stand out from other groups.”
“Oh, okay.” Unease skittered across her skin. Why didn’t she know what Kendra was about to say? They’d been in constant contact over the past few days.
She ignored Donovan’s intense gaze boring a hole into the side of her face. He liked order. He wanted to know everything before it happened.
Kendra’s leaned forward. “Rose is a photographer who does custom photo shoots.” She pointed to a waving woman seated at a table a few feet away from Jada. “We’ve been interested in the science behind cover photo shoots, and she promised to show us how they go down. However, the male model pulled out at the last minute, so we thought we’d have the book club members pose individually as Becca with a western, cowboy ranch–themed background.”
“Okay,” Jada said slowly. That didn’t sound too bad. It’s not like she didn’t like having her photo taken—well, before the whole reality-TV-villain thing happened, anyway.
Kendra’s voice rose with way too much excitement. “But with Donovan here, we’d love it if you two re-created the cover. We can display the photo on our website and social media accounts and hopefully attract more members. Y’all are both so good-looking, it makes perfect sense.”
The blood in Jada’s veins crystallized. Good thing, because running screaming into the night wouldn’t send the right message, and it would probably lead to yet another social media viral moment. Beside her, Donovan’s face had gone completely blank.
“You have amazing chemistry. You’ll be great,” Kendra continued like she had to convince them, clearly attributing their silence to being shy about stepping in front of the camera, and not to the fact that they weren’t actually dating.
Jada shook her head. “I’m not sure…”
“Oh, no, you have to do it,” Nicholas chimed in. August stepped away from the wall to finally join the group and nodded his approval at this new development.
Donovan glared at his friends. Nicholas and August beamed in return, clearly not intimidated by their best friend. She added her glare to the mix. Their grins slipped a tad, but they didn’t retract their endorsements.
While Rose moved to set up the impromptu photo shoot, Jada’s gaze dropped to the book on her lap. The cover was pretty tame compared to a lot of other romance novels. The male model wore a buttoned-up shirt, which, well, was not a problem. She would not fantasize about—wait, no—think about a shirtless Donovan and being able to ogle his wide chest up close. Just because she recalled with crystal-clear clarity how his chest felt under her hand during their totally not real kiss meant nothing.
What did mean something was the look between the two people on the cover. They stared into each other’s eyes like they’d found their soulmates, their parted lips a breath apart. But the cover models were just that. Models. They were acting, and if they could do it, so could Jada. She’d been an actor once upon a time. An unsuccessful actor, but whatever.
Kendra clapped her hands together and stood. “Okay, gang, let’s get going. Donovan, your shirt isn’t the best, but we did spring this on you, so it will have to do. The shirt we have is way too small.” She reached into the bag at her feet and pulled out a black cowboy hat. “Hopefully, this will fit.”
Donovan took the hat from her and settled it on his head. He turned to Jada with his hands out as if to say, How do I look?
Damn good. Okay, yeah, this look worked for her. Who knew she had a thing for cowboys? What would he look like on the back of a horse, thigh muscles bulging? Hot. So fine. She cleared her throat. “You look all right.”
Kendra snorted. “Girl, please. He’s the perfect choice for the photo shoot. Now you, put this on. It will fit over your dress.” She held out a red-and-blue-checkered flannel shirt. Jada took the shirt and slipped it on without comment. Nerves had risen from the dead like a phoenix to whip hope’s ass in her stomach. Any second now, she would be in a clinch with Donovan.
But so what? She needed to chill. It would be fine. They’d take a couple of photos, laugh, and that would be the end of it. Memories of their kiss bombarding her brain would stop any second now.
Rose directed them to stand together in front of a background that featured a horse and a cactus. Totally authentic western details. “Arm around her waist and pull her in tight, Donovan. Jada, tilt your head back slightly and lay your hand against his chest.”