“Why would it bother me?” I ask, even though it kind of does. Not because I have any feelings for Aiden, at least not in that way. I care about him a lot as a friend, like a big brother. I don’t want him to get hurt, because he really is one of the best men I’ve ever met in my life.

Grayson shrugs and dusts the crumbs off his fingers. “I don’t know. I know the two of you are close.”

I nod slowly. “We are. He’s a good friend.”

“As long as that’s all he wants to be,” he replies in a cautious tone. I stare at him, lying on his white bed sheets in nothing but a pair of black boxer shorts.

“Of course that’s all he wants to be. Besides, everyone knows how crazy I am about you.”

His dimples let me know he likes that comment. “They better.”

“So…” I begin. “You and Jake aren’t friends anymore?”

He cuts his eyes to me, his face losing any of its joy.

“Babe, he didn’t even tell anyone. He could have made my life a living hell if he wanted to,” I say.

Grayson grunts. “Yeah, then he would have got his ass kicked by me, and he knows it. Trust me it wasn’t out of the kindness of his heart.”

“Fine, but I don’t know, he spoke to me and he looked sad.”

He sits up straighter. “He spoke to you?” he asks, his voice low.

“Yeah, just for a minute or so…”

“Looks like he and I will be having another talk,” he says, cracking his knuckles.

“Oh, come on, Gray,” I snap, not wanting him to get into another fight over me. It’s in the past, and I want to leave it there. Time to look forward now. “Don’t start shit for no reason.”

He makes a non-committal noise and then takes me in his arms. “I won’t let anyone talk badly about you.”

“He didn’t,” I say, but he cuts me off with a kiss.

“Open your mouth,” he whispers against my lips.

“No, I haven’t even brushed my teeth yet!” I say, my face going red.

He grins. “I don’t care.”

By the minty taste of him, I can tell he did brush his teeth, probably when I was making breakfast. I squirm out of his hold. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asks.

“Shower.” And to brush my teeth.

“I’m coming,” he calls out as I leave the room.

I wouldn’t expect any less.

I knew it would happen. Of course, my luck isn’t that great, but never once did I think it would happen at a moment like this. At Grayson’s dad’s business function.

“S-snow,” the man stutters, staring at my breasts. “I’m a huge fan.”

I drop the chocolate brownie square back onto my plate and look around awkwardly. “I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” is apparently all I can come up with. More and more lies.

“Oh,” he says, checking me out. “Are you sure? You look exactly like her…”

I look around for Grayson, seeing him talking to an older man. He glances over at me, and excuses himself from the conversation the minute he sees the look on my face.

“Paris?” he asks, coming to my side. “Is everything okay?”

The man clears his throat. “I’m sorry, sir, my mistake,” he says, walking away as fast as his legs can take him.

“What was that about?” he asks, taking my hand in his.

“He came to tell me he was a huge fan,” I whisper-yell, panicked.

Grayson grits his teeth. “Don’t worry. There’s no proof of anything.”

“Do you know him?” I ask, looking around.

“Yeah, he works at the hotel. Don’t worry; I’ll have a chat with him. I’ll tell him it’s really your sister that’s the dancer, and you’d like to keep it hush hush,” he says, smirking at his idea.

I gasp. “You can’t say that.” Although, I doubt London would care.

“I can and I will. Don’t stress, babe,” he says, giving me a possessive look. The look says ‘I will take care of everything’. I puff out a breath, nodding once. “My dad wants me to talk to one of his business associates. Do you want to come with me?”

“No, I’ll wait here,” I say. Where the food is.

“Okay, just give me a few minutes. Leah should be here any second,” he says, kissing me once then going off to talk to whomever. I stand up and make sure my slinky black dress is down at the back, about to go to the bathroom when Grayson’s mother walks up to me.

“Hello, Paris, you look bored,” she says, taking a seat next to me.

“Ohh, I—umm,” I stutter, having no idea what to say to this woman. She’s so very intimidating.

She smiles. “I get bored too, trust me. You get used to it though. I usually just make small talk with the wives.”

“Right,” I say, smiling shyly.

“I’ve never seen my son so in love,” she says, tilting her head. “Please don’t hurt him.”

My eyes widen. “I wouldn’t do that.” Not intentionally.

“Leave the poor girl alone, Mum,” Leah says from behind me. I feel relief at her arrival.

“We’re just chatting,” her mum says. “Where have you been?”

“Just running late. I don’t know why I have to be here. Grayson is taking over the business, not me,” she says.

“We’re here to support your father.”

“I’m going to the bar. Come on, Paris,” she says, her eyes begging me to join her.

“Is everything okay?” I ask her as we order our drinks. She’s wearing a short yellow dress that looks stunning on her and clings to her body like a second skin.

“I know about you, you know,” she says, stirring her drink with the straw.

“I’m sorry?” I ask, not sure I heard her right.

She takes a huge gulp of her drink. “Jake and I are together. I was going to break it to Grayson,” she says, grimacing. “Then Jake went and opened his stupid mouth about you. Now Grayson hates him and no way in hell is he going to be okay with us being together.”

Information overload. “I thought Jake didn’t tell anyone?” I ask dryly, taking a sip of my own drink.

“He didn’t, but he had to explain to me why all of a sudden Grayson hates him. And why Grayson beat the shit out of him,” she says.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for all this to happen. I tried to talk to Gray about Jake…”

“It’s not your fault, Paris. Jake shouldn’t have said anything. And for the record, I’m not judging you. I’m sure you had your reasons. You’re a good person.”

I sigh heavily. “Thanks,” I say a little awkwardly. “I can try to talk to Grayson again.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not your problem; it’s mine. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to deal with my baby brother,” she says, an evil glint in her eye.

I laugh. “I always forget that you’re older.”

“That’s because he’s so tall, and I’m a shrimp,” she says, smiling back at me. “And because he’s so bossy and demanding.”

We both look to the man in question, talking to two other men. He’s wearing a perfectly fitted suit, which I can’t wait to pull off him.

“You have it bad,” Leah says, shaking her head. “You’re good for him though. I’m glad Dylan’s out of the picture now.”

My good mood plummets a little at the mention of her name. “Is she though? Shouldn’t she be here tonight considering your parents are friends?”

Leah puts her now empty glass down and signals the bartender for another. “Her dad is here. I don’t know where she is. I’m not exactly her favourite person anymore. And don’t you start, that isn’t your fault either,” she says before I can apologise for that too.

“Sorry about that, babe,” Grayson says as he approaches. He wraps an arm around me and looks at his sister.

“Where are your clothes?” he asks, scowling down at her. She looks down at her dress and raises an eyebrow at him.

“What’s wrong with my dress?”

“How about its lack of material?” he asks, kissing me on the top of my head.

Leah smirks, her red lips pulling together. “As if Paris’ dress is any more covering.”

“Yeah but Paris is sexy, you’re…”

Leah gasps. “I’m what?” she growls, narrowing her eyes.