You've Got Fail(23)
“No way.” He gave her a kiss that had more than a few people nearby twittering, then smacked her ass and sent her back to the small group of what must have been models she’d been speaking with.
“I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”
He smirked. “I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I don’t sample here and there.” He straightened his shoulders, and I was secretly pleased that we were almost a match in size. The bromance was truly sizzling. “Ready, man.”
“Let’s do this.” I marched through the throng of movie stars, models, and high society glitterati that ruled the city. When we reached Scarlet, Todd had apparently just told a shitty joke, because she was fake laughing like it was her job.
“How’s it going?” I leaned past Scarlet and grabbed another flute of champagne from the table.
“Great.” Todd sized up Commander Reptilian—err, Jason.
I ran my hand along Scarlet’s lower back and she leaned into me. Did she even know she’d done it?
“Hey, Jason.” She smiled up at him. “I didn’t take you for a ballet fan.”
“My date loves it.” He shrugged. “If she wants to come here and show off for her friends, I got no problem with that.”
“Oh, I thought you were with Willis.” Todd smiled, his toothy grin begging to be punched.
“We’re friends. All three of us, actually.” Jason motioned to Scarlet, me, and himself.
Todd frowned and reached in his pocket to pull out his phone. I eased closer and peeked, then failed at stifling a laugh.
Todd reddened and stuffed his phone—which had an image of two bear-men going at it—back into his pocket. He shot me a look. “I don’t know what that was.”
I shrugged. “Different strokes for different folks.”
He winced. “No, I mean I’m not—”
“Scarlet!” A woman with unruly black hair edged into our circle. “I thought I saw you across the way.” She wore what looked to be a bright pink sweat suit that had been bedazzled with a designer logo across the chest.
“Hi.” Scarlet’s face brightened. “Everyone, this is Jina. She’s the head lifestyle blogger over at the New York Daily News.”
I coughed. “Jina?” She’d said it as Gyna. Not Geena.
Scarlet’s lips thinned. “Yes, Jina.”
Jason nodded in agreement with the pronunciation, irritation creasing his brow. “That’s her all right.” His tone matched the look on his face—clipped.
“Nice to meet you all.” The lifestyle blogger kept her focus on Scarlet. “So, about that article I wanted to do on you. Have you thought about it?”
Scarlet glanced at me.
“She’d love to.” I pulled her against my side, her curves melting into me.
“And who’s this?” Jina turned her close-set eyes my way.
“Willis.” I held out my hand.
She shook with a better grip than Todd, so I liked her despite her sparkle sweats.
“Willis is her gay assistant.” Todd offered.
“Right.” I forced a tight smile. “And Todd’s got the world record for the most teeth in one mouth.”
Todd stared at me like I’d spoken in tongues, and Scarlet faked a cough to hide her laugh.
Jina didn’t seem to catch the insult, and gave Jason a small nod. “Good to see you again.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Jason’s biting sarcasm made the awkward ring of fire around us burn even hotter. “Thanks for that review of my last play.”
She put a hand on her hip. “I reviewed your performance well. The material was crap, and you know it. Your Aliens Versus Vampires roles give you more meat than that paltry puff piece.”
“Those are great. I love them. Vocknar Fleet for life,” Inner fanboy blurted.
Jason ignored me (thank god) and shook his head. “Van worked hard on that script, and you ripped it to shreds in front of everyone in the city.” His voice carried, hushing the attendees around us. Commander Reptilian had no problem making a scene.
Jina didn’t give an inch. “I reviewed it fairly. If you have a problem, then I suggest you take a more critical eye to the roles you’re off—”
Scarlet chirped up, her smooth voice cutting through the rising discord. “I have an idea.”
Jina paused, and she, as well as the closest spectators, focused on Scarlet.
“Instead of an interview, how about we do a little bit of blog magic right here, right now?”
“What do you mean?” Jina narrowed her eyes.
“I mean that someone here right now could use some great advice from Scarlet Rocket. Instead of a boring one-on-one, how about you watch me work?”
I tightened my fingers at Scarlet’s waist. She was playing a dangerous game. I was the one who gave the advice. But surely she had a plan. Surely.
Jina relaxed, her hand leaving her bony hip. “That might be interesting.”
Alarm bells went off inside me as Jina smiled, her hunger for a pithy headline—and a possible public scorching—leeching into the air around us. Shit. This could turn into a disaster in front of who I’d just learned was a harsh critic. “I don’t know if this is the right venue for that.” I stared down at Scarlet. “I’m sure no one wants to get into relationship or sex issues at this swank event.”