“What other projects do you have coming up?” A bald man with a white beard seems very interested in Wyatt.
“I’m focused on finishing Creator of the Dark.” Wyatt’s thumb caresses my hip as we stand close together. Does he even realize he’s doing it? It’s turning my insides into mush, making me not focus on all these celebrities surrounding me.
“Greer.” Zoe’s voice makes me turn. She stands behind me with her hand on the arm of a young guy, early twenties. His blond hair falls over his brown, soulful eyes. My eyes widen in recognition. “This is—”
“Holden Jamison.” Aiden holds out his hand to the man. “I’ve watched your work.”
Holden shakes his hand with a grin. “Aiden, big fan. Huge. Still not used to meeting someone like you and them knowing my name.”
I struggle to hold down fourteen-year-old me who had a major crush on then sixteen-year-old Holden Jamison. Giddiness wells within me. He played a brooding guy in love with his best friend’s girl. He was my first crush.
“Get used to it. You’re already a name.” Aiden smiles, and his hand rests on the small of my back, pulling me back to the here and now. He centers me, and I release the breath I was holding.
“Anyway,” Zoe says, looking between the two men and rolling her eyes, “I brought Holden over to meet Greer.”
Holden’s eyes lock on me, and I swear my heart kicks up a notch. If I’d had a room with posters, he definitely would have been on my wall.
“Hi, I’m Holden.” He holds out his hand.
I force myself not to giggle.
Aiden fucking Clyborne had his tongue in my mouth a while ago and I’m trying not to gush about my childhood crush to the guy standing in front of me. As best as I can, trying to be mature, I hold out my hand and shake his, trying to keep my smile from turning maniacal because I’m touching Holden Jamison.
“I’m Greer,” I get out, still shaking his hand. Blushing, I stop and bring my hand back, rubbing it with my other. My inner fourteen-year-old wants me to never wash this hand again. I almost laugh out loud but manage to stay grounded next to Aiden.
“Ah, Holden!” Roarke’s voice booms through the party. He claps Holden on the shoulder hard enough that Holden lurches forward a little. “What are you two up to?”
He looks between Zoe and Holden.
Zoe rolls her eyes. “I just thought Greer would like to meet people her own age while she’s stuck in the house with you guys. Holden and I are friends. He’s not big on the party scene, though, so I figured he and Greer might get along.”
Oh my God.
Roarke raises an eyebrow. “Are you trying to set Greer up?”
Oh my God!
White-hot embarrassment floods my body. I didn’t have parents to be embarrassed about growing up. Apparently, Roarke intends to make up for that loss. But then it registers, is Zoe trying to set me up? With Holden?
Holden runs his hand through his hair and gives me a flirty smile. I’m definitely flattered, and the giggling inner fourteen-year-old can die happy. I’m currently not in a relationship, but kind of.
Oh, fuck. It’s not like I can say I’m taken. Zoe knows Chad and I broke up. I haven’t had time to find even a fake boyfriend. Is this something friends do? Set each other up?
“No.” Zoe grins. “I’m just showing her there are better guys out there than her ex. Like Holden.”
Roarke stops and looks Holden over and then turns to me. “Is this what you want, poppet?”
I can’t even with him right now. My face burns. He knows exactly what I want. Roarke grins and shakes Holden’s shoulder.
“Just friends, then.” He chucks me under the chin and wanders away.
“Roarke’s in a mood. Sorry about that.” Aiden gives an apologetic smile to Holden. “He’s protective of Greer.”
Holden nods. “Like an older brother. I get that.”
Aiden chuckles but doesn’t refute it. Definitely not like an older brother. More like a horny octopus. I shiver thinking about his hands all over me.
“Are you new to town, Greer?”