Page 21 of Damaged Mogul
“Nope. Hubby and his business partner are wining and dining a record company. The University of SouthernCalifornia invited me as a special guest speaker to share my experience with Brawn Impulse. I’m incredibly honored. Joel and his bandmates are floating around somewhere. They’re also guest speakers and my dates for tonight––with my husband’s blessings, of course.”
“Got it.” I nod.
“Who are we talking about?”
I glance down at Lily. “Joel Banner.”
Perfectly groomed eyebrows knit together in confusion. “Who?”
When you spend most of your life surrounded by industry people, you forget not everyone is in the know.
“He’s the lead singer of Brawn Impulse—a British rock band that’s been making waves on this side of the pond for a couple years now. Dominika shot ‘Shattered Windows’—an award-winning behind the scenes music documentary, tracing the band’s journey from their humble roots to their rise to fame.”
“I’ve never heard their music.” Lily grimaces. “I’m not that much into rock music. Pop music is my jam.”
“Don’t ever let my husband hear you say that,” Dom says with the upmost seriousness. “He’ll lock you in a room and force you to listen to rock music until you change your mind.”
Lily giggles. “Note to self.”
“Rod is hardcore at everything he does,” I say.
“That could be said of all the guys in your inner circle,” Dom says.
I rub a hand behind my neck. “Good point.”
“Speaking of the inner circle…” Dom turns her attention to Lily, “Michaela told us you’ll be present tomorrow night for Rhys’s birthday.”
My eyebrows hit my forehead. “That’s news to me,” I say, meeting Lily’s gaze.
“Um… Michaela invited me. But if that makes you uncomfortable or if I’m stepping on anyone’s toes, I don’t have to?—”
“Hush. You’re coming,” Dom says.
Great. I don’t have a say in the matter.
I grunt.
“He’s grunting.” There’s a touch of panic in Lily’s voice. “Since I can’t make out his grunts, I’m not sure how upset he is with me.”
“Grunts are tolerable.” Dom brushes it off with a hand wave. “If he growlsand shows fangs, that’s when you need to run for your life. After all, paranormal romanceis nothing more than a fantasy.”
The two women laugh.
Glad to see someone’s having fun at my expense.
When she finds her composure, Dom laces her hands around my arm. “He’s a big teddy bear.”
My ears burn hot.
I squint my eyes at Dom. “I. Am. Not.”
The two women laugh again.
“You’re going to fit right in with the sisterhood, Lily,” Dom says.
“I appreciate the warm welcome, but that’s too much fussing about for a stranger who isn’t going to be in the city for more than a few days,” Lily says.
Dom readies herself to answer, but a man approaches her.
