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    He kissed the top of my head, chest rising and falling beneath me. “If that wasn’t the best shower you’ve ever had, you’re lying.”


    Iughed softly, still breathless. “I knew this was your n all along.”


    He tilted my chin up with a smirk. “And you walked in willingly.”


    Back in the closet, Liam was in a yful mood, tossing me socks I didn’t need and teasing me about my choice of ts.


    “You’re not driving that car,” he said suddenly as I reached for my keys.


    I turned. “What?”


    “You’re taking one of mine.”


    “Liam, mine is fine.”


    He crossed his arms. “Emily, I don’t think you fully understand what you’ve stepped into. The world is watching now. You’re not just any woman. You’re my woman.


    The possessiveness in his voice made


    my knees


    go


    weak.


    “And?”


    “And my woman should be treated like it. You’ll drive something worthy of you. No argument.”


    His tone left no room for protest.


    I caved.


    “Fine. Which one?”


    He handed me the keys to a sleek silver Aston Martin.


    “Seriously?”


    He smirked. “You’ll look hot in it.”


    20:39 <fn2899> This text is hosted at find[?]ovel</fn2899>


    11 SAR MIRichers


    We kissed at the door. A long, slow one that lingered even after I pulled away. Then I slipped into the driver’s seat, trying not to feel like I was stealing a royal chariot


    When I arrived at Jay’s ce, he was waiting outside like he’d known I wasing


    “There she is,” he said with a shit–cating grin. “Knew you’d show up.”


    I walked straight up to him and dragged his car.


    “Ow! Emily! What was that for?”


    “You dropped the video without warning. You didn’t even give me a breather!”


    Heughed and rubbed his ear. “In my defense, the timing was just… perfect. The song’s charting again. Streams are through the roof. And you’re officially the most Googled woman in LA this morning.”


    I groaned.


    He softened. “Hey. Seriously though. You okay?”


    I hesitated. “I’m overwhelmed, Jay. All of this… it’s a lot.”


    His yful expression faded. The celebrity mask dropped.


    “Alright. First lesson of fame. Everyone has an opinion. Most of it doesn’t matter. You focus on your circle. The people who know the real you.”


    I nodded.


    “Brands are going toe knocking,” he added. “Stay grounded. Keep good people around. And don’t let them tell your story. You control it.”


    I sighed. “You make it sound so easy.”


    He smirked. “That’s because it is. Nowe on. I owe you lunch. My treat.”


    We stepped out together and he paused halfway down the drive.


    His eyes bugged. “Wait. Is that… Liam’s car?”


    I smiled sweetly. “Yep. He insisted.”


    “He let you drive it? I asked him once and he said he’d rather set it on fire.‘


    20:39


    I shrugged. “Guess he likes me more than you.


    Jay shook his head in disbelief. “No way. He’s so in love. It’s actually disgusting”


    Iughed, but rolled my eyes. “Stop throwing words around like that. You don’t even know the full story.”


    He leaned back, smug. “Please. Keep lying to yourself. That’s what you and Liam do best anyway.”


    My smile faltered for a second, but only for a second. Typical Jay. Hitting a little too close to the truth, then acting like it was all a joke.


    Jay and I ended up at a sleek rooftop restaurant, velvet–lined booths, soft jazz threading through the air, and a view of the skyline framed like a painting.


    The kind of ce where celebrities could breathe, eat medium–rare steak, and not worry about paparazzi lurking behind wine sses. Jay said I needed this. A real meal. A moment to feel normal again. And maybe, he was right.


    Lunch started off light. We talked about music, travel, a dream he had where he identally officiated a wedding between two cats. He made meugh, the kind ofugh that started in your chest and shook loose all the tension you didn’t realize you were carrying


    “You good?” Jay asked, swirling the straw in his mocktail. “Like actually good?”


    I nodded. “I think so. Just… adjusting.”


    “Yeah,” he said. “You didn’t exactly sign up for all this. But wee to the circus.


    My phone buzzed on the table. I reached for it absentmindedly, expecting another meme from Sophia or Liam sending a naughty text. But instead, it was an email. From a luxury fashion brand I’d admired since high school. Subject line: Brand Coboration Inquiry.


    I blinked. Opened it.


    And read.


    Twice.


    The air shifted around me. Everything else dimmed.


    “What?” Jay said, noticing the sudden freeze.


    20:39


    I turned my phone to face him.


    He read it. Then leaned back with a satisfied grin. “And it begins.”


    I swallowed. “Jay, they want me to model. Me. Represent their brand. Me.”


    11 288 Mouchers