Say You're Mine (The Gallaghers Book 1) by Layla Hagen (comprehension books .txt) 📕

what I want. You’re fucking amazing when you forget about everything except me.”

I licked my lips, shaking my head. He winked but didn’t say anything else, just guided me farther inside the room.

As the first guests arrived, Brayden managed to introduce me to them. I made a fool of myself, getting completely tongue-tied in front of a few of my favorite stars. But then everyone started arriving in larger groups, and it was impossible to greet them in person.

Brayden led me to one of the couches, pouring Dom Perignon for both of us. We clinked glasses before taking a sip.

“So let me get this straight. First time I met you, you gave me shit, but you’re quiet as a mouse when I introduce you to Hemsworth?”

I smiled. “Don’t take it personally. I didn’t know who you were. And I thought we agreed I wasn’t giving you shit.”

“No, you said that. I’m still not convinced it’s true.”

“I wouldn’t give shit to someone I want to work with.”

“Yes you fucking would. It’s how you roll, Ms. Gallagher. Sassy all the time. Except when it comes to Hemsworth.”

Well, he did have a point. I guess I just found out what it would take to make me tongue-tied.

I batted my eyelashes at him, leaning in to him and whispering, “I’ll make it up to you later. I promise I’ll be extra dirty.”

He growled, which made my evening.

***

We weren’t joined at the hip the whole time. He mingled with his friends, and I made my way over to the band members and chatted with them as well as with Sasha and Cami.

“He can’t keep his eyes off you,” Cami said in a conspiratorial tone while we stood in one corner of the room, sipping more champagne with the band. “I’ve been watching him. He’s looking at you right now.”

I glanced over my shoulder in Brayden’s direction. She was right. He was in a conversation with someone, but his gaze was fixed on me. I blushed, looking down at my glass. I had no idea how he could make me feel like we were alone in this crowded room with just one glance, but he did.

Lars put an arm around my shoulders. “I agree. He’s always either talking about you or thinking about you. Even while rehearsing.”

“How do you know he’s thinking about me?” I asked.

“He has a sort of vacant expression, like he’s lost in his thoughts.” Lars comically mimicked the look he was describing.

Harvey nodded. “It’s scary.”

Thomas rolled his eyes. “It’s normal. On the plus side, he’s even more creative than usual. Which means he’s busting our balls even more now, but it’s for a good cause. Usually while we’re preparing for a tour, we don’t play any new songs, but now he’s got creative spurts every other day, especially after you spend the night with him, so I’m going to assume there’s a link between amazing sex and creativity.”

I choked on my champagne. I couldn’t believe he said that out loud.

“Lars,” Sasha admonished.

“What? I only make sex jokes with people in our inner circle.”

“He really does,” Harvey added.

I recovered quickly and said playfully, “You guys know how to make a girl feel special.”

I raised my glass to them. “We’ve come a long way. I thought you were going to kick me out the first time we met.”

We clinked glasses, and after that, we separated. They mingled with the crowd, and I decided to check on Josie. I took stock of the new guest arrivals on my way toward one of the corridors that Sasha said led to a quiet back room.

To my intense distaste, Lilian was also a guest tonight. She was one of the last ones to arrive and only smirked at me without even saying hello. Whatever, it wasn’t like I planned to have a conversation with her at all. I hadn’t seen her since Lars’s birthday, and I wasn’t interested in anything she had to say.

She was annoyingly attractive though. Her blonde hair was slicked back with gel, but it made her look sophisticated, not ridiculous. She was wearing a red suit. The jacket had a deep V-line, and it was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra.

I stepped outside, into one of the corridors, dialing Josie’s number. She’d been so stressed out today, and I felt guilty that I hadn’t been able to drop by and lighten up her evening. I held the phone to my ear, hoping she’d pick up this time.

She answered after a few rings.

“Sis, all is good here. Focus on your fancy party,” she said.

“Hello to you too. Are you sure you’re okay? You were all stressed out today.”

“I know, but Tess and Skye dropped by with dinner and some perspective, and it’s all better. Thanks for the advice.”

“Oh, great!” I was relieved but still feeling a little guilty. And a bit jealous that a girly evening was happening without me there. “Hug them for me.”

“I will. Now go. You don’t need to baby me.”

I was going to anyway. I was going to plan another breakfast with the sibs, or another girly evening... or both.

After hanging up, I headed back through the corridor, where I ran into Lilian. Was she waiting for me?

“Oh, you,” she said.

I smiled, seeing no reason to not be cordial. “Hey, Lilian.”

“Nice dress.”

“Why thank you.” I hadn’t expected the compliment.

“It’s not a designer dress, right? Looks like that. Nice.”

Right. So it hadn’t been a compliment.

“It’s off-the-rack, if that’s what you mean. But it doesn’t matter, does it? The important thing is how it looks on me.”

She smirked again. “It looks like it’s off the rack, but nice.” Running her hands down her suit, she said, “This is a Dior.”

“It’s lovely.” I honestly didn’t have the energy to waste on her.

“I’m surprised Brayden didn’t want to pay for something more expensive. It’s a red flag, if you ask me.”

What a snob. I almost laughed but held my composure. “Actually, Lilian, I bought this myself. I love it.”

Her smirk fell, but she recovered quickly.

“Well...