Heart Beats (Joker's Sin #3) - Davidson King Page 0,7

tone.

“Yeah, almost.” I saw Ziggy’s shoulders shake.

“How long does it take to eat?” he retorted, and I noticed his plate was still half-full.

“I dunno, Ledger, finish yours and tell me how long it took you.”

We had this stare-down. His intense gaze locked with mine. There was no question he had something to say but wouldn’t do it with Trinity and Ziggy near.

“Whatever, I’m going to the ballroom. See you there.” He got up and stormed out.

“Mmhmm,” Ziggy hummed as Trinity got up and followed Ledger out. I looked up and saw the guy who was staring at me walk by our table and out of the restaurant.

“I can’t wait to go home.”

Ziggy patted my leg. “Problems will be waiting for you there, Strawberry.”

I knew he was right. I finished up and told Ziggy I was going to go because I had to help Ledger. He wished me good luck and said he’d make sure to stop by Joker’s Sin for a visit.

When I got to the ballroom, I saw Ledger by his table with a few boxes of things he brought to sign. There were two people helping him, but I went over anyway. We didn’t speak; I just helped, and by the time the five-minute mark was called, we were ready for the signing.

Chapter Four

Ledger

“What are these?” Shane asked as he held up the drives I’d brought.

“My mixes. I sign anything, but I know people are mostly here because they love how I mix. So I figured I’d make a sample.” I chuckled when his eyes widened. “You seem shocked that I used my brain or something.”

I didn’t understand why Shane acted the way he did at breakfast, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. In two minutes the doors would open, and people would come to my table to see me. I didn’t enjoy these things, but I appreciated that people traveled from all over just for a minute or two with me. I always found that to be surreal.

“I always knew you had a brain, Ledger,” he said as he made sure the table was perfect. “It looks good.”

“Thanks, and thanks for being here.” When he smiled at my appreciation, I knew it was the right thing to say and that we were fine. I had to figure out what I was going to do about Shane, though. I couldn’t keep going on like I wasn’t insanely attracted to him.

“Doors opening,” the organizer shouted, and Shane pulled the other chair up and sat beside me.

“I’ll likely be standing a bit.”

He nodded. “That’s fine. I’m here to help; just tell me what you need.”

It was the perfect opening to start a flirting experiment, but people began lining up at my table to see me. It was show time.

I signed everything from shirts, to pants, to autograph books people made. I had a few drives left to give away, and my hand was starting to cramp. Shane handed me a bottle of water, and I gratefully gulped it before someone else came over to me.

“Oh shit,” Shane muttered, and I was about to ask what was wrong, but someone stepped up to the table.

“Hey,” I gave the person my attention, my smile in place.

“May I ask you a question?” a guy who seemed vaguely familiar asked.

“Yeah, sure.”

He took out a small notebook and a pen, flipped it open, and spoke. “What are some songs you’d mix together for someone you loved?”

I looked over at Shane, who shrugged and handed me a drive.

“Well, I made this drive, and it has some of my favorites in it. I’d likely use some of these.” I handed it to him, and he took it and shoved it into his pocket. He had such a placid expression on his face, I hoped that would make him happy, but he gave me nothing to go on.

“My name is Charles. We met at the panel.”

I nodded. “I knew you seemed familiar, Charles. So, did you want me to sign your notebook or something?”

Charles’s gaze moved to Shane, and the slight narrowing of his eyes said he wasn’t thrilled with Shane’s presence.

“You’d sign anything?” he asked.

“Within reason, sure.” I refused to sign breasts, and one time a guy begged me to sign his dick. I didn’t realize I needed to be specific, but I did.

“I’m going to buy some of the equipment you suggested. I don’t have it on hand for you to sign, obviously. Can I make an appointment with your secretary for you