Say You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,30

“Trying to walk off my hard-on behind the bar.”

My cheeks warmed. I brought a hand to my neck, schooling my features, hoping no one would catch on.

“Isabelle, when did you arrive?” Lars asked.

“A few minutes ago.”

“Brayden took good care of you?”

I was sincerely hoping my blush wasn’t intensifying. “Yes.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brayden turning away to hide a smile.

“I’m ready to show you this plan I’ve made. It’s more of a guide. I think you’re doing a great job on your own, but Sasha insisted it would be helpful to have some pointers written out.”

“Let’s hear it,” Thomas said.

“I don’t want to take up much of your time. I’m meeting a client later, so I can’t stay long.”

All of us moved to the couch, including Brayden. I was still so on edge from our kiss that my entire body hummed even though he wasn’t sitting next to me. I could feel him watching me though.

“I think one Facebook live every week is good now. Once concert season starts, you can probably do two, but I know that’s a busy time, so play it by ear. The important thing is for this to be fun for you, to come naturally. If it’s uncomfortable for you, then I can assure you the viewer can tell. Certain body language cues are obvious even to the untrained eye.”

I glanced at the group quickly, checking if they were following me before focusing on the iPad again.

“I’ve listed some ideas for you, based on what the fans asked in the comments. They mentioned some things they’d want to see. It’s up to you, obviously, but I thought it would be helpful to know. Maybe it can spark other ideas.”

I moved on to the slide of suggestions.

“People are interested in our gym routine?” Lars asked incredulously.

I chuckled. “You’re all hot as sin. Obviously they want to know how you keep in shape.”

A strange noise came from Brayden. No one seemed to hear it except me. When I locked eyes with him, I was surprised by the intensity in his expression.

He’s jealous? Holy shit, it was just a comment. Did it make me a bad person that I was enjoying it slightly? I grinned. He cocked a brow. I grinned even wider, shrugging one shoulder.

We went through my whole list quickly. I kept checking the time, because I didn’t want to be late back to the office.

“Okay, guys. I’m sorry, but I really have to go. I think you have enough info for your next video. You can always call me.”

“We’re good,” Harvey said.

“I’ll walk you out,” Brayden offered. Placing a hand at the small of my back, he led me to the front door. Heat spread through me from the point of contact.

“When do you finish?” he asked.

“In two hours, I think.”

“I’ll be waiting in front of your building in a car.”

“Oh, wow. Okay. Want to make sure I don’t get away?”

“Exactly.” He pushed a strand of hair out of my face, looking straight at me. “And the rest of the evening will be just for us.”

***

My client, Elsa, was a mess. Sadly, I couldn’t do anything for her right now more than hand her tissues and console her. In times like these, any advice was pointless. She needed to let out the grief, and I was happy she felt safe enough to do it with me.

“You’re so great, Isabelle. Thanks for making time for me on a Friday evening.”

“I’m always here for you, Elsa.”

“I don’t even know what to do. I don’t want to cry my eyes out all weekend.”

“Sometimes you have to let it all out. But I can make you a diary, if you want. You can write down everything you feel, tear out the page, and throw it away. It really helps.”

“I’d love that.”

I opened the drawer under my desk where I kept the papers and binders for diaries. I personalized them according to the client’s needs. I’d printed a stack of uplifting quotes. After choosing a dozen, I carefully glued them on the papers I put in the binder.

“That’s it. It’s ready,” I announced.

“Thank you, Isabelle. I’m so happy I found you.” She beamed, rubbing the corners of her eyes as she slid the diary in her purse.

My heart was hurting for her as I led her to the door. It would take a long time for her to heal.

The second I was alone in the office, I remembered that Brayden was waiting for me downstairs, and