Oh.
Fuck.
"Give me that." I reach for Dean's phone.
He holds it over his head. "Shit. This must get good." He jumps backward. Taps the screen.
I slide over the counter. Follow Dean into the lobby. "Stop it."
"It's a public site. I can pull it up anywhere."
"It's not supposed to be." I agreed to let Ryan design my site so he'd agree to let me play his girlfriend.
No one is supposed to actually look at it.
Even if they're complimenting it.
Is it really good enough they're complimenting it?
Walker rises from his chair. Steps between us. He studies my expression. "Fuck, this really must be good."
Dean nods. "So much better than you could imagine."
Fuck. That must be it.
Dean motions to Walker come here.
He does.
The two of them stare at the screen. Then at me.
Dean shakes his head you didn't.
Walker nods. "It's pretty good actually." He looks to Ryan's suite. "You have a future ahead of you."
Ryan's concentration breaks. The buzz of his gun ceases. He turns to us. Shoots Walker a what the hell look.
Dean turns the cell to face Ryan.
Ryan doesn't scream profanities.
He chuckles.
Smiles.
He's… happy about this.
He whispers something to his client, who nods, happy for a break, then he rips off his gloves and joins us in the lobby.
"Was this your idea?" Dean asks.
"Leighton's," Ryan says.
"Nice job, Leigh." Dean winks at me. "This is good shit. I can see women everywhere spanking themselves to it."
"Can you?" Walker laughs. "Or is there some Flowers in the Attic shit I should know about?"
"Some what?" Dean makes a show of scratching his head. "Is that a book or something?"
"Or something." Walker laughs. He checks the cell screen again. Really studies the picture. "Book covers suit you."
"I know." Ryan runs a hand through his wavy hair. "You two wish you looked this good."
"Wish? Please." Dean pulls his t-shirt up his stomach. Pats his six-pack. "Make me your next cover model, babe. Please."
"Sorry. I can only capture inner beauty." I force a smile. These guys are my friends. They're idiots, but they're talented designers. If they think my stuff is good, it's good.
Maybe even good enough for me to go for this.
"You're fucked," Walker says.
Ryan laughs. "Beyond fucked."
"One of you must know outer beauty." Dean tosses his t-shirt on the ground. Strikes a model-worthy pose. "Please." He turns to Walker. Presses his hands together. "It's all I've got."
"Sorry, but I don't see it," Walker shrugs.
Dean turns to Ryan. "Me and you, bro. Let's be a matching set."
Walker looks to me. "You into this Flowers in the Attic shit?"
"Where did you pick up that reference?" I ask.
"Where do you think?" He joins me on the other side of the brotherly… uh… love.
Dean slides his arm around Ryan's shoulder. Strikes another pose. "Let's call it Fucked By Both Brothers."
"Is this a fantasy I should know about?" Ryan's tone stays dry. But there's a lightness in his eyes. He's teasing.
"Depends on how much you're into it." Walker laughs.
"Zero," Ryan says.
"The fantasy isn't for me. It's for the ladies." Dean winks at me. "Tell me you wouldn't let us double-time you."
"Ew. Ew. Ew. I'm going to throw up." I make a show of gagging.
"How about one at a time?" Dean offers.
"How about I don't want your dick anywhere near me. God knows where it's been," I say.
"That's slut-shaming, Leigh. You're better than that," Dean says.
The bell rings and Kaylee steps inside.
She surveys the scene with a curious stare. Decides it's normal. Cuts through us to go to the counter.
Walker laughs. "She could not give less fucks about you."
"Kay, you wound me," Dean calls out.
She nods okay.
He mimes being stabbed in the gut.
"Dean has a new concept for you," Walker calls to her.
She shoots him a curious look. "Does he?"
"Yeah. Fucked by Both Brothers." Walker motions to Dean—who's still posing—and Ryan, who's standing there, pretending he isn't amused.
"Hard pass," she says.
"How about just me?" Dean drops his arm. Moves toward her. "Model for your next book?"
"I don't have a model for my first book," she says.
"Will you let me read it?" Dean asks.
"You don't read," she says.
"Will you give me a play-by-play of all the good parts?" he asks.
"Sex isn't the only good part of a book! God!" I roll my eyes.
Kaylee nods to me. "What she said."
"All right. How about we play Truth or Dare. You fill me in on all the dirty details of Brendon tying you up." Dean raises a brow.
"Is one of you going to explain why you're being extra weird?" Kaylee asks.
"I'm starting a cover design business." My limbs get light. This is really happening. I'm really doing this.
I'm admitting it aloud. To all my friends. While they mock me.
It's absurd, but it's right too.
I love these idiots.
"That's awesome." Kaylee's smile is bright. "Are you using Dean as a cover model?"
"If he's willing to pose for free." I turn to the guys. "You're all welcome to pose for free."
Ryan shakes his head. "My model fee is outrageous."
I can't help my laugh. "What is it?"
"Fifty percent royalty," he says.
"That is steep." Kaylee pulls her computer from her backpack. Sets it on the counter.
"Leigh designed a cover for your book," Ryan says.
I shoot him a cutting look. How could you say that?
He mouths you'll thank me later.
Kaylee blushes. "Oh, really? It's, uh… Can I see it?"
"You don't mind?"
"No. It's awesome. I have no design skills." She plays with the edge of her pastel pink cardigan.
I join her at the counter. Open my laptop. Pull up my designs—the simple abstract one, the one of Ryan, the sexy couple that reads Desire.
We start with the rose.
"Oh my God." Her green eyes go wide. "That's amazing."
My cheeks flush. Kaylee is always earnest. There's no way she's messing with me.
"Like something I'd see on a New York Times bestseller."
"Show her Ryan," Dean calls.
She turns to me. "Ryan?"
"Yeah, I, uh… he makes a great model." I tab to Ryan's design.
Kaylee studies it carefully. "Yeah, he does. That first cover is gorgeous, but I think this one would sell more books."
Ryan's eyes go wide. "You're not—"