Page 45 of The Encore Effect

“Boring. Derek was in a meeting so he wasn’t answering my sexts.” Jo pressed Kat away from her with a firm grip on her biceps. “Let’s see it.”

“See what?”

“The ring!” Kat rolled her eyes and held up her left hand. Jo whistled. “Becks did good. It’s even prettier in person.”

“It was too expensive.”

“Impossible. You’re worth every penny. Oh! And it matches your earrings.” Jo slid into the chair across from Kat at the small table in the corner of the restaurant and gestured to the diamond and pearl studs Kat had been wearing non-stop. She liked the way Beckett’s eyes zeroed in on them when she entered a room, the possessive spark that flamed to life in their depths. Not that she’d tell him that. “You guys did a great job of selling the engagement at The Steam Factory. It’s too bad you don’t want him to go to any more book signings with you.”

“It’s for the best,” Kat said.

“I don’t know. The fan photos online were eating you up with a spoon. Well, except the jealous Storm Chasers who can’t handle that Beckett’s off the market. But most of the fans are actually super excited. There’s a whole subreddit where people are posting theories about your wedding.”

“Wait, there is?”

“Mmhmm.” Jo tapped her phone screen and spun it around to show Kat, scrolling through what seemed like an endless thread of comments. “The current favorite theory is that Logan is going to officiate a wedding on the tour bus. Though there are several people insisting you’ll elope or have a private ceremony on the Finger Lakes.”

Kat snatched Jo’s phone, skimming the posts. “This one claims to have seen me trying on dresses with Christian Siriano.”

“You’d look amazing in Christian Siriano. I could reach out to him and arrange an introduction if you want.”

“We're not actually getting married,” Kat hissed, warily eyeing the bartender.

Jo cocked her head to the side with a quizzical look on her face that reminded Kat of a confused golden retriever. “Are you sure?” She waved her hand in the general direction of Kat’s face. “You've got a whole lot of ‘he-fucked-my-brains-out' glow going on for someone who’s faking it. Allegedly.”

“He didn’t—” Kat lowered her voice, her face going hot with embarrassment. “He didn’t fuck my brains out,” she mumbled, reaching for her mimosa.

“Hmm, that’s strange. My post-orgasm radar is usually spot on.” Kat choked on her drink, spluttering and coughing as she tried to catch her breath. Jo leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, blue eyes glittering triumphantly. “I see. So, what are we talking? Fingers only? Tongue? Toys? Fucking is more than P in V, you know.” Kat glared at her boss’ wife despite Jo’s light laughter. “Fine, don't tell me, but I could point you in the direction of some of the best toys on the market. Derek’s favorite is the—”

“Please stop talking.” Kat closed her eyes against the embarrassment burning through her. “I do not need to know which toys my boss prefers.”

Jo sighed dramatically and stole a sip of Kat’s mimosa. “Suit yourself. But I'm glad you’re having some fun. You and Becks are so cute together. How amazing would it be if this stunt turned into the real deal?”

“It was a onetime thing,” Kat said. “It won’t be happening again.”

“Why not?”

“Because!” Jo waited expectantly as Kat tried to remember one of the many reasons—any reason—why she and Beckett couldn’t indulge the sexual tension between them. At least not any more than they already had. “Because I signed a contract promising I wouldn’t engage in inappropriate relationships with the band.”

“What’s inappropriate about two hot people banging each other’s brains out?”

“We’re not— We have rules.”

“What kind of rules?”

“Like no touching for starters.”

Jo grinned. “That’s not a problem. This particular toy is remote controlled.”

Kat threw her napkin at Jo. The blonde caught it, laughing, but Kat couldn’t bring herself to laugh. Not when it came to the idea of her and Beckett as a real couple. It already hurt too much to think about saying goodbye when the tour ended, despite all the reasons she knew there was no way they could make it work. Been there, done that, had the emotional scars to prove it. The last thing she needed was to repeat old mistakes with Beckett Hayes. Even if the night before had been the single hottest night she’d had in the last decade.

Setting the napkin aside, Jo leaned forward, taking Kat’s hand in hers, her eyebrows pulling together with concern. “Hey, babe, I was only teasing. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You didn’t.” Jo shot her an incredulous look. “It’s not you. It’s... complicated.”

A soft smile tipped up the corners of Jo’s glossy lips. “Good news for you, then. One of my best friends is married to her ex’s dad, and another is married to a former priest—who was still very much a priest when they got together. Not to mention the one who married her dad’s best friend. Helping my girls navigate complicated relationships is kind of my specialty.”

Kat shook her head. “That’s not what you’re here for. It’s bad enough that I’m taking up your time talking about my books.”