He narrows his gaze and tilts his head as I take a huge bite of my taco.
“You know? I think we’ll lean into the whole girl-next-door look. America loves you so we’ll keep you looking sweet as apple pie.” He leans in close, eyes twinkling. “Although, if you’re dating Nathan Donelson, I don’t think anyone expects you to be too innocent.”
I almost spit my taco out. Instead, I suck it into my windpipe and settle for a life-threatening coughing fit. Dylan pats my back, and my face turns bright red.
He smiles like the Cheshire Cat once my coughing is under control. “I knew it,” he says, going to work on my hair and spritzing it with water then pulling some products out of his gigantic travel kit. “That ex of his tried to make him look bad with the article, but no one believed it. There’s too much gossip that suggests otherwise. So, be honest, no use lying to me because I can read a poker face from a mile away—he’s a freak in the sheets, isn’t he?”
My stomach jumps out of an airplane. I know nothing about Nathan in that capacity. We are not even the kind of friends who joke around about it. We keep that conversation zipped up tight because I think subconsciously we both know there are just some boats you can’t rock in a friendship. Therefore, I have no idea how much Nathan’s boat rocks at night.
But I’m his “girlfriend” and I’m expected to know.
I widen my eyes and put on what I hope is a sultry sort of a smile. Like I’m picturing a memory of Nathan’s muscley, tan body wrapped up in white bed sheets with the sun shining over his shoulders. Actually…I am picturing it pretty easily. “Oh yeah, total freak in the sheets. A real tiger. Earned his stripes for sure. No one has ever blown my mind like Nathan Donelson.”
“Well, that’s good to know.”
NO! That voice did not come from Dylan. It came from my best friend leaning against the open dressing room door looking like a smug devil.
I inhale my taco on a gasp again, and suddenly, Dylan has my hands over my head trying to make sure I don’t die in this dressing room. But I want to. Just let me go, Dylan! I can see the light!
Nathan swoops in beside me, crouching down and chuckling while patting my back. “You okay? Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I give my throat one last epic clearing then force myself to meet Nathan’s eyes. His hair is now tousled and shining to perfection, and he’s wearing black dress pants and a white button-down tucked in. The top few buttons are undone, and I’m going to choke again.
“Yep! Good to go. Dylan is taking good care of me.”
Nathan’s dark eyes glint. “Not too good, I hope. That’s my job—and according to what I just heard, I’m doing it really well.”
Dylan makes a strangled squealing sound then turns away to give us some privacy while he goes to dig around in his travel kit again.
I take the opportunity to point a stern finger at Nathan. “Don’t ever bring this up again! I panicked, okay? He was digging for gossip and I didn’t want him to find out the truth. Would you rather me say you’re a lousy lover like Kelsey did and WHAT is that face about?”
He shrugs. “Nothing. You’re just awfully defensive.”
I feel my cheeks heating and refuse to let them grow rosy. I REFUSE. “Why are you in here anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be in there with Aubrey getting made up or enjoying a lap dance or something?”
He tips a brow. “Now we’re jealous?”
I groan. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, good. Because the lap dance really wasn’t anything to write home about anyway.”
I punch him in the shoulder just as Dylan comes to stand behind me again to finish his work. He has the face of a man who is trying to look like he’s not eavesdropping but is very clearly memorizing every word we say so he can repeat it later. Oddly, I don’t mind. I kind of hope he does.