Dirty Love (Dirty Girl Duet #2)(31)

I’m scanning the room—taking in the former child star, the Oscar winner, the chart-topping pop diva, several TV personalities, and other generally famous people—when I realize something shocking.

They’re all staring at us.

After a few beats, the novelty must wear off because their focus turns back to their conversational partners and drinks.

I look to Cav only to find a hard and forbidding expression on his face. A don’t f*ck with me, I’m in the mood to hand you your ass expression.

“Everything okay?” I whisper.

“We’re good.” He doesn’t elaborate on why it was necessary to scare off everyone who dared look in our direction.

“You sure?”

I’m about to ask whether he’s sure this party is a good idea when Windsor comes striding toward us on heels even taller than the ones she lent me. Given that she’s at least five six without them, the heels put her close to six feet. She looks like a blond Amazonian goddess.

“You made it! Oh my God, that dress looks so much better on you than it did on my sister. I hope you don’t mind that it wasn’t one of mine, because I thought this one was the absolute perfect thing.” Her gaze cuts to Cav. “Looking handsome yourself, but not nearly as foxy as your lady.”

Cav’s arm, still curled around me, squeezes instinctively. “That’s as true a statement as I’ve ever heard.”

Finding my manners, I say, “Thank you so much for the dress and the shoes.”

Windsor tilts her head to one side and reminds me so much of my best friend, I feel the need to call Banner right that moment. I miss her.

“I bet he threw a fit when he first saw you in it and then decided to play barbarian all night, just short of stamping his name on your forehead.”

I can’t help but laugh because she hit that one right on the head.

“Something like that.”

Windsor winks at me before glancing at Cav. “Exactly like that, I bet.”

“That’s enough out of you. We’re here, she’s not tossed over my shoulder, so count yourself lucky.”

With a small, feminine shrug, Windsor laughs off his remark and gives us a rundown of the party. “I think everyone I invited decided to tell a friend, so things have gotten a little more out of hand than I’d planned, but I’m not all that surprised. You know how these things go.”

She’s clearly addressing that part to Cav, because I have zero idea how these things go.

“Food is set up in the dining room. There’s the usual smattering of hors d’oeuvres, so help yourselves.” She turns to me. “If you eat, you’ll probably be the only female seen putting anything besides alcohol or a dick in her mouth, but it’d be a nice change of pace.”

My gaze cuts to Cav and a smile plays on his lips. She’s for real. These Hollywood people are nuts.

“Uh, okay. Maybe I’ll break the mold.” After all, Cav and I didn’t exactly stop for food on the way here. And if I do nothing but drink on an empty stomach, I’m going to be awesomely tipsy really, really fast.

“Do that. You look stunning, and maybe some of these stick figures would get a clue that a real man wants a woman he’s not afraid to break.” She pauses for a second, as though considering whether to continue. “And if you have sex in any of the bedrooms, double-check the lock. You know I really don’t want my house to be a breeding ground for sex tapes again.”

Again? My brain is spiraling, trying to keep up with Windsor, my gaze once again darting between her and Cav. I’m waiting for Cav’s response, but a man approaches Windsor, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s a guy from a movie I saw last summer.

“Baby, you’ve gotta give me another chance.”

That’s when it clicks. This is Windsor’s ex that she’s so happy to have out of her life. Apparently, she should have asked for his key back.

Or maybe that’s not how these things work. Hollywood is a different universe, and no one gave me an interloper’s guide to navigating it.

Windsor draws her spine straight and squares her shoulders. “Sean, that’s never going to happen.”

Cav releases my arm and steps beside her. “I think it’s time you leave, man, because you clearly weren’t invited.”

“Fuck off, Westman. You can’t be her guard dog forever.” The man, Sean, flicks his gaze from Cav to Windsor to me. “Besides, looks like you’ve got a woman of your own finally. Maybe I should take her from you and see how you like it.”

He’s reaching out a hand toward me when Cav wraps his arm around my waist. “That’s a bullshit statement and you know it.”

“Bullshit or not, it sounds fair to me.” The man’s hand hangs in midair, waiting for me to shake it. “I’m Sean France—”

“He’s a douche who couldn’t keep his pants zipped around twenty-year-old girls the entire time we were married,” Windsor interrupts. “And she’s just a touch too old to be part of your target demographic, Sean. Move on, or I’m pretty sure you’re going to be needing another rhinoplasty after Cav is finished with you. Leave now before I have security toss you out and this gets embarrassing.”

In the face of so many threats, it would take a real man to stand his ground, but Sean France glares at all of us and walks away.