I let the driver open the door like it’s a red-carpet event, because that’s what I’ve been trained to do. With a strut that would make my runway-model mother proud, I stride toward two gentlemen manning the door. The click of heels on the sidewalk behind me tells me Kelsey and the girls are coming too.
That’s when the flashes from the cameras start.
“Scarlett, why Legend? Why now?” one paparazzo calls out.
I turn and give him a blinding smile. “Haven’t you heard? It’s the hottest scene in town.”
“Aren’t you afraid of a repeat of the grand opening? You wearing body armor under that dress?”
I pause and wait a beat before I throw my head back in laughter. “Are you kidding me? I couldn’t be safer here if I had Gabriel Legend guarding me himself.”
The woman with the camera beside him, who has been silent until now, finally speaks up.
“Is that why you’re here, Scarlett? For Legend himself? Because rumor has it you stopped in yesterday for a quick chat with the man. I can’t blame you; he’s fine as hell.”
Her question nearly takes my breath away. It’s like sheknowssomething that I haven’t yet admitted to myself.Am I really just here for him?
Bad Scarlett pipes up.Duh, Scarlett. You want him to hold you down like he did that guy in the cage. Remember? It was that fight that had you screaming his name while you came. Let’s go get some of that. Stat.
Well, hell. That’s an unexpected revelation. And an awkwardly timed one as well.
When I don’t answer immediately, a grin breaks out over the woman’s face. “Nice, Ms. Priest. Can’t blame you.”
“Scarlett? Let’s head inside.” Kelsey’s fingers close around my arm, and her touch breaks me free from my thoughts. Thankfully, Harlow and Monroe are right behind us, posing for the paps and giving them even more material forPage Six.
Now ... if they’ll only post it quickly so all of Manhattan knows exactly where the party’s at tonight.Legend.
As soon as we’re in the door, Kelsey pauses and looks at me. “Are you okay? Because I’m pretty sure you just handed them the biggest story of the year byletting them think that you’re here to bag Gabriel Legend. What the hell was that, Scar?”
“Ladies, welcome.”
Zoe’s voice comes over the music, which I didn’t even notice before because I was so shocked by Kelsey’s question. She also saves me from having to come up with an explanation for something I can’t explain.
Did I just put it out there to the world that I want this man? It wouldn’t be a lie. But that’s not something I would normally do. Not the perfectly polite Scarlett Priest.
Except I just did.
“Let me show you to the VIP area so you can get comfortable,” Zoe says, holding out an arm to direct us to the marble stairs that lead to the second-level balcony where we talked yesterday.
Instead of following her, I look out at the dance floor, which isn’t empty like I expected. There’s actually a crowd of about thirty people. Plus, the bars on either side have a few people sitting and standing at them, waiting for drinks or knocking them back. Every single one of them is watching us.
Kelsey pulls me along behind Zoe as we head for the stairs, but I can’t tear my gaze away from the corners of the room. I’m looking for him in the shadows. I can’t help it.
Maybe the pap was right. Maybe that’s exactly why I’m here.
To see Gabriel Legend.
As soon as we reach the lounge area with leather sofas and marble tables, our server greets us with a large bottle of Cristal.
“I hope you’re ready for a wonderful night, ladies. My name is Astra, and I will take excellent care of you.”
“Yes! Let’s get our drink on! I’m ready to party!”
Monroe’s high-pitched squeal has to be heard by every single person in this club, because from over the railing, I can see them all staring up at us. So I do something I’ve never done before.
I reach for a glass, and as soon as it’s poured, I walk to the edge of the balcony and lean on the railing. With the champagne flute in the air, I toast everyone down below.
“Who’s ready to have fun tonight?”