Page 34 of Cosplay & Consequences

The door closed behind me, and I let out a long sigh of frustration. I checked my phone as I unlocked my door. I had thirty-two messages from Bray demanding details.

I knew I should call her but instead, I flopped on the bed, thinking about the evening. Daniel was not the man I thought he was. He was kind. Considerate. My mind drifted back to the night before, when I stood outside my door reaching out for him.

But now when I thought about our first kiss, I was thinking of Daniel.

Not Tyrst’an.

Danny

Iwas still grinning like a moron when I walked into my hotel room. Paige looked up as I entered and laughed.

“You’re in a good mood. Is she endorsing you?”

“She’s going to wait and see how we do with the trailer. She is coming to the shooting and bringing her two friends who were backstage with us today.”

Paige smirked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Wow. Look at you.”

“What?”

“It’s… I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve seen anyone make you this happy,” she said with a shrug.

It was true. But this situation between Jessica and I was a fleeting thing, and I had to remember that. I heaved a sigh and grimaced. “Paige, I’m not in the mood to be cremated by you right now.”

Paige walked over and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Danny, I’m not trying to give you crap. For once.”

I took a step back. I didn’t trust her. Usually when she acted like this, she was setting me up to be mocked. “Why change the fundamental core of our relationship?”

“You deserve to be happy, Danny,” she continued, being serious.

It freaked me out.

“You’re being weird,” I countered.

She punched me in the shoulder. Again. Hard. “Will you just admit it?!”

I let out a long sigh, rubbing the permanent bruise on my shoulder. “Yes. I like her a lot. She’s amazing. But-”

“No!” Paige growled, now poking me in the chest with her index finger. “Stop right there. Just like her! Jesus!”

“It’s not that simple, Paige,” I said, shaking my head.

She rolled her eyes at me and groaned. “You’re a hopeless idiot.”

I stood there for a moment, trying to figure out Paige’s weird motive in this situation. Usually, she would harass me and then mock whoever I dated. Pushing me to a relationship and being supportive wasn’t her style.

“What’s he being an idiot about this time?” Faye asked as she padded into the room.

Paige scoffed in response. “He likes Jessica Richards, but won’t do anything about it.”

“Is she going to at least be at the filming?” Faye asked, a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Yes,” I said, happy to get away from the subject. “And I’m also taking her to meet Sebastian tomorrow.”

Paige and Faye shared a look and chuckled together.

“Okay, if you two are going to act like this, you can get another room,” I growled at them.

“He’s adorable when he acts angry,” Faye noted.