“What? Seriously! How am I the only one who didn’t know about this?”

She laughs. “It’s my job to know all the tricks I can about improving the face. Half the models I get stuck with need all the help they can get when makeup isn’t applied and Photoshop isn’t working wonders.”

Who would have thought? Making a mental note to remember that tip, I look from Eddie’s face to Kirby. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the middle of a workday?”

“You suck at playing dumb, Will. I’m sure Chatty Cathy here filled you in. I quit. No way would I stay working at Logan Agency after yesterday. Rob was one hundred percent behind me when I told him what happened.”

“You can’t just quit, Kirb! You loved working there.”

She leans forward on the couch and gives me a soft look. “No, I loved working with my two best friends while I did something I enjoyed. With Eddie gone and after the way you were treated and fired, there was no way I could have stayed another day. Plus, we already have a new job.”

“Get ready for it,” Eddie whispers loudly.

“Ready for what? We? What do you mean we have a new job? You two are exhausting.”

“Did you tell her everything?” Kirby questions Eddie with a devious smirk.

“Nope. I saved the best part for you.”

“I got a call late last night from none other than Kane Masters’ personal assistant. He was very nice and forthcoming about the current conditions on set for the film Kane is directing. Apparently, a few unfortunate situations have him reevaluating his current crew. One of them being the lead makeup artist for the whole cast. Something about her sexually harassing Kane, which, by the way, I find hilarious.”

Kirby’s pause gives my mind a second to process all of this and a big smile to form. This is huge for Kirby. I know she never planned to leave the Logan Agency, but something like this falling into her lap is a large stepping-stone for her career.

“That’s great, Kirb! Holy crap! You’re going to do makeup for a major motion picture?”

“It’s a huge deal, but because of the magnitude of this project, Kane has requested I bring an assistant who can help me keep up the pace of such a demanding role.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be hard. You know a ton of people in the industry, Kirby. Anyone would be ecstatic to have that chance. I’m so proud of you.”

“That’s nice that you think so since you’re coming with me and all.”

“Uh, what?”

“Kane requested that you be my assistant.”

“Very funny.” I laugh, pulling my wet hair back and tying it in a bun to prevent a frizzy mess. I walk away from Kirby and into the kitchen for a glass of water, pulling my sweatpants up as they start to sag. When did these get so loose? “You had me going for a second there.”

“I’m not joking, Willow.”

“You expect me to believe that Kane Masters asked for me to come?”

“I do, but I knew you would have issues believing me, so I told the PA, Sam, to call back and leave me a message with the offer. That was after I told him we would be on a plane to Georgia first thing next Monday.”

“What?!” I scream and drop my full cup of water, shattering the fragile glass. “Crap.”

Eddie, laughing under his breath, moves from his perch on my barstool and walks past me to get the broom and dustpan. Shock holds me immobile while I lock eyes with Kirby. She smirks and brings her phone out. After fiddling with it for a few moments, a voice I would recognize anywhere fills the room.

“Kirby, this is Kane. Sam told me that you requested a little verification to further aid in your assistant hopefully joining our team. First, let me express my gratitude that you have decided to accept the job offer. I’m sure you will fit in with the cast of Impenetrable and find this new career venture to your liking. Secondly, Sam expressed your need to be home as much as the filming schedule would allow, and you have my assurance that we will do everything we can so you’re not away from your home and family more than necessary.”

The deep rumble of his disembodied voice pauses, and I imagine him taking a long sip from the glass you can hear ice clinking in before his sexy, gravelly tones are making love to my senses again. I bet he would even sound unbelievable with that smoky voice gruffly speaking the alphabet.

Ignoring the tightness coiling in my gut, I focus back on his voice. “—my understanding is that you believe Willow wouldn’t believe you when you told her that her presence was personally requested. By me. So, Willow, it would be my utmost pleasure if you were on that plane to Georgia as well. And so there isn’t anything misconstrued here, yes, I hope you’re able to come so Kirby is less overwhelmed with the magnitude of what’s expected of her, but I also hope you’ll come because I want you here. I imagine at this point you either are shocked or rolling those gorgeous brown eyes, but be sure, Willow, I most definitely have ulterior motives. Kirby, Sam will email you the travel instructions and all the other information you’ll need. Thank you for getting the contract back to me so quickly. I look forward to seeing you. Both of you.”

“Close your mouth, Willow,” Eddie rumbles from his crouched position on the floor as he sweeps up the shattered glass.

My wide eyes follow Kirby’s movements as she moves her phone from where she had been holding it in the air. With my mouth still slack with shock, I meet her confident regard. Of course, the woman has the most devious smirk on her face.

“Now, do you believe me?”

I nod.

“Are you shocked stupid?” Her smirk grows to a full-blown smile.

I nod.

“Planning on freaking out?” Her smile goes wonky.

I nod.

“Okay, I’ll give you that. But can we freak out while we talk about what you’ll be packing? I’m already halfway packed, and since Alli is on fall break next week, she and Rob will be coming down to spend the week and weekend with us while we settle in.”

I shake my head.

“What are you protesting to? The packing or my family joining us?”

“I love your family,” I tell her honestly.

“Ah, so it’s the packing.”

I nod.

“You’re going to turn into a bobble head if you keep that up,” Eddie smarts.

“I can’t go to Georgia,” I tell her, ignoring Eddie.

“Yes, you can, and you will,” he snaps. “You have nothing keeping you here, Willow. I’m about to leave for London, and Kirby’s going to need you. I’m not even going to touch that whole sexual fantasy come to life that Kane just delivered, but I swear to God, Will, if you ignore this, then you’re one stupid woman.”

“Hey!” I object. “I can’t just leave! I need to find a job. Sure, I have enough savings for a while, but I can’t just run off. Plus, I have … uh, I have plants?”

“You don’t have plants, Willow. Nice try. You killed the last one a month ago. Anyway, I’m glad you mentioned that. I’m going to need your account information. It’s in my contract for my assistant to be paid. So, your job slash income slash whatever the next excuse will be in that aspect is null and void. I’ll be back in the city every chance I get, and we can have Rob keep an eye on your place too. Come on, Willow. I need you.”

Knowing she has me with that, I pick a different line of protesting.

“What did he even mean?” I whisper, hearing the words crack with my lack of confidence and honest fear for what his message to me meant. “He doesn’t even know me. Why on earth would he make those demands?”

“I think it’s pretty clear what he means. He wants you.”

I drop to the couch next to Kirby and roll my neck against the back of the cushion to look at her. “There’s no way,” I demand with conviction. “There’s just no way.”

“What is it that shocks you so much about Kane Masters wanting you?” Eddie questions as he comes to sit on my other side. “What is so damn shocking that a beautiful man wouldn’t want an equally beautiful woman?”