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“It’s just you two seemed to be very into each other in those photos.” She dug deeper and deeper without drawing a breath.

I was hanging onto all my media training and control by a thin thread. She’d pissed me off. I clicked my tongue. “Nope. We just friends and were having a good time.”

Both her eyebrows shot skyward. “I don’t make out with my friends like that.”

I added bite to my tone. “Well maybe you need to find some new friends.” I downed the rest of my bourbon and placed the empty glass on the nearby table.

As I straightened, I peered past Gloria’s shoulder. Lewis pointed at me and mouthed, ‘Are you okay?’

My heart fluttered and swelled. Sweet, that he was worried about me. I sucked in a deep breath and shook my head. I’d had enough of this reporter digging for dirt.

He downed his drink and licked his lips. Hmmm. So sexy.

‘You want me?’ He pointed to his chest.

Hmph! If only. Pursing my lips to hide my wayward smile, I lowered my chin.

“He’s handsome.”

Gloria had followed my line of sight. Shit.

“All the guys in the band are good-looking—not just Lewis.”

“I don’t see you ogling the others.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I wasn’t ogling.” I so was. “Lewis is a friend. So stop with this line of questioning. You’re wasting your time. Keep this up, I’ll call security and have you removed.”

“I’m just doing my job to find the truth.”

Her blunt tone furled fire through my veins. “You want the truth?” My voice dialed up three notches. “Lewis told everyone in the press conference what happened. That was the truth. We got drunk. We kissed. We had a good laugh about it. We’ve moved on. So the fuck should you.” So much for keeping my cool. Not the first time I’ve lost my shit at a reporter.

“Hey?” Lewis appeared by my side, his hand splaying across the small of my back. “Everything okay?”

“No.” I glared at Gloria. “We’re done.”

“Lewis? Nice to meet you.” Gloria shook his hand.

He greeted her politely but didn’t stop touching me. “Thank you for coming to the show tonight. I hope you loved our new single, and enjoyed the music and a few drinks. But would you please excuse us? Tia, a couple of fans would love to meet you.”

Gloria smirked. “Just friends, right?”

I wanted to wipe the smug smile off her face with my fist.

Lewis rubbed my back, calming me. “Yes. Goodnight.”

Before I could thank him, Lewis drew me over to a group of guys. I was grateful for the distraction. The save. I could look after myself, but that had been nice. After a quick hello and a few photos, we joined the band. Then we mingled. We chatted to others.

Wherever we ventured around the room, I always found him. I always felt his gaze on me.

At midnight, the single dropped. The boys cheered and hugged, and more drinks flowed. Near two a.m., when the celebrations slowed, Lewis whispered in my ear, “You want to get out of here?”

A hot wave rushed over me.

I glanced at the gaggle of remaining guests, downing too many drinks. Cole was chatting up the girl in the green dress at the bar. Flint, Sutton, Maddy, and Slip were hanging out with Everhide. The exec team were onto an expensive bottle of American whiskey.

“But we have to stay.” This was his big night.

“No, we don’t.” He shook his head. “This party is about to wrap. They won’t miss us. You want to come with me?”