Bared to You

party we’re having at my parents’ estate on
Sunday. A mix of business and pleasure. Many of
the artists signed to Vidal Records will be there. I
was thinking it’d be great networking for your
roommate—he’s got the right look for music
video.”
I brightened. “That would be wonderful!”
Christopher grinned and passed the invite over.
“And you’ll both have fun. No one throws a party
like my mother.”
I glanced briefly at the envelope in my hand.
Why hadn’t Gideon said anything about the event?
“If you’re wondering why Gideon didn’t tell you
about it,” he said, seemingly reading my mind,
“it’s because he won’t come. He never does.
Even though he’s the majority shareholder in the
company, I think he finds the music industry and
musicians too unpredictable for his tastes. By
now, you know how he is.”
Dark and intense. Powerfully magnetic and
hotly sexual. Yes, I knew how he was. And he
preferred to know what he was getting into at all
costs.
I gestured at the deli when we reached it, and
we stepped inside and got in line.
“This place smells awesome,” Christopher said,
his gaze on his phone as he typed out a quick
text.
“The aroma delivers on its promise, trust me.”
He smiled a delightful boyish smile that I was
sure knocked most women on their asses. “My
parents are really looking forward to meeting you,
Eva.”
“Oh?”
“Seeing the photos of you and Gideon over the

---

last week has been a real surprise. A good
surprise,” he qualified quickly when I winced. “It’s
the first time we’ve seen him really into someone
he’s dating.”
I sighed, thinking he wasn’t so into me right
now. Had I made a terrible mistake by leaving him
alone last night?
When we reached the counter, I ordered a
grilled vegetable and cheese panini with two
pomegranate smoothies, asking them to hold the
one with a protein shot for thirty minutes so I could
eat in. Christopher ordered the same, and we
managed to find a table in the crowded deli.
We talked about work, laughing over both a
recent baby food commercial faux-blooper that
had gone viral and some backstage anecdotes
about acts Christopher had worked with. The time
passed swiftly, and when we parted ways at the
entrance of the Crossfire, I said good-bye with
genuine affection.
I headed up to the twentieth floor, and found
Mark still at his desk. He offered me a quick smile
despite his air of concentration.
“If you don’t really need me,” I said, “I think it’d
be good for me to sit this presentation out.”
Although he tried to hide it, I saw the lightning
quick flash of relief. It didn’t offend me. Stress was
stress, and my volatile relationship with Gideon
was something Mark didn’t need to think about
while he was working on an important account.
“You’re golden, Eva. You know that?”
I smiled and set the drink carrier down in front of
him. “Drink your smoothie. It’s really good, and the
protein will keep you from feeling too hungry for a
little bit longer. I’ll be at my desk if you need me.”
Before I put my purse in the drawer, I texted
Cary to ask if he had plans on Sunday or if he’d
like to go to a Vidal Records party. Then I got

---

back to work. I’d started organizing Mark’s files on
the server, tagging them and placing them in
directories to make it easier for us to assemble
portfolios on the fly.
When Mark left for the meeting with Gideon, my
heartbeat quickened and a clutch of anticipation
tightened my stomach. I couldn’t believe my
excitement just from knowing what Gideon was
doing at that particular moment, and that he’d
have to think of me when he saw Mark. I hoped I’d
hear from him after that. My mood picked up at
the thought.
For the next hour, I was restless waiting to hear
how things had gone. When Mark reappeared
with a big grin and a spring in his step, I stood up
in my cubicle and applauded him.
He took a gallant, exaggerated bow. “Thank
you, Miss Tramell.”
“I’m so stoked for you!”
“Cross asked me to give you this.” He handed
me a sealed manila envelope. “Come to my office
and I’ll give you all the deets.”
The envelope had weight and rattled. I knew
from touch what I’d find inside before I opened it,
but still the sight of my keys sliding out and into my
palm hit me hard. Gasping with a pain more
intense than any I could remember, I read the
accompanying note card.