Page 49 of The Encore Effect

Kat smiled. It was nice to have someone else around to help keep the guys in line.

“The press line is short, so remember, you can choose to smile or smolder, but not both. No answering questions about anything other than the children’s hospital and why you support it,” she reminded them as she straightened Nico’s bow tie. “And no saying it’s because it was Zach’s turn to choose the charity.”

“Just remember—cancer: bad. Hospital: good,” Zach said.

Kat reached over and backhanded his bicep. “Wise ass.”

Zach rubbed the spot she’d hit through his suit jacket. “Hey! Becks, tell her to lay off.”

“Stop being such a wise ass,” Beckett replied, tossing an arm over Kat’s shoulders. She bit back her grin, turning her face into his shoulder to hide her laughter. His eyes crinkled at the corners and his lip quirked up at one side.

It felt… easy. They still hadn’t talked about what happened the other night, never mind what happened years ago, but this, right now, laughing with him, cuddling with him—it felt right, calmed the chaos in her mind, quieted the anxiety. If she wasn’t careful, she could get used to this.

“The bachelor auction will happen during dinner,” Jo continued, reading from her phone.

“We’re going to raise so much money,” Nico said. He glanced at his bandmates. “Who’s up for a friendly wager?”

“What’s the wager?” Zach asked.

“Which one of us can bring in the most money in this bachelor auction,” Nico said.

Jackson snorted. “Don’t bother. We all know it’s going to be me.”

“Want to bet?” Nico asked.

“You don’t have anything I want,” Jackson drawled.

“Maybe I’ll be the one to bring in the most cash,” Zach said. “Superfan did call me ‘the romantic’ for a reason.”

“Women love a guy with a sense of humor, and they call me ‘the funny one,’” Nico said.

“Funny looking,” Zach muttered.

“Yes, yes, you’re all very desirable male specimens,” Jo said. “Whoever wins the date with you, will get a one-on-one lunch date—not counting security, of course—and VIP tickets to tomorrow night’s show. Under no circumstances are you to do anything sexual with the winners of the auction, understood? Not tonight and not tomorrow.” There was that librarian voice again.

“Yes, Jo,” the band chorused again.

Jo grinned. “Great. Have fun, boys. I’ll be floating around if you need anything.”

“Me too,” Kat said.

“Uh uh.” Jo shook her head. “You will accompany your fiancé throughout the evening for everything except the bachelor auction.”

“What? No, I’m working this event, not a guest,” Kat protested.

“Not anymore, babe.” Jo waggled her phone. “Boss’ orders.”

“But—”

“No time for buts. We’re about to be just plain late instead of fashionably so.” Jo rapped her knuckles on the tinted window of the limo. A moment later, the door swung upon, Gideon standing at attention beside the open door. He held out a hand to help Jo out of the car. She smiled at the imposing bodyguard. “Giddy. Nice to see you again.”

His lip twitched at her use of her young stepdaughter’s nickname for him. “Ma’am.”

“Here we go, boys,” Nico said, sliding on the bench seat towards the open door.

One by one, the members of Midnight Storm filed out of the car until only Kat and Beckett remained. “Ready for this?” Beckett asked.

Kat skimmed her hands over the dark navy gown Jo had handed her earlier that afternoon, her cleavage hoisted dangerously high in the sweetheart bodice. “As I’ll ever be,” she mumbled.