Page 48 of Fame & Chaos

That question pulls a genuine smile from me for the first time all night. “Yeah, I sing in a band with my cousins and a couple of family friends.” Pride slips into my voice automatically. “We’re gonna make it big one day.”

“You really believe that?”

“I know it.”

And I do.

Music’s the one thing in my life I’ve never doubted.

Angelica studies me for a moment before smiling softly. “That’s actually really attractive.”

I raise an eyebrow. “The confidence?”

“The passion.”

Huh. Didn’t expect that answer.

“Well…” I say lightly, “… coming from someone already famous, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Her smile fades a little at that. “You know…” she says quietly, “… people don’t usually want to be associated with me anymore.”

I shrug one shoulder. “I know what happened with the company.”

Her jaw tightens. “I didn’t know about the testing.”

I study her for a second.

Honestly? I don’t particularly care either way tonight.

And maybe that makes me a dick.

Probably does, actually.

“All I know…” I say while sliding closer, “… is you’ve been staring at me since I walked in here.”

Her breathing catches slightly. “And?” she whispers.

“And I’m trying to decide if you’re worth ditching this party early for.”

A slow smile spreads across her lips. “Oh, I definitely am.”

Cocky.

I like it.

I move closer until our bodies nearly touch and rest my hand lightly against her waist. Her breath hitches, and her fingers curl around the front of my jacket.

Yeah, she wants this.

“You always this forward?” she murmurs.

“Only when I know I’m getting what I want.”

“And what exactly do you want, Caleb?”

I glance down at her mouth briefly before meeting her eyes again. “To stop thinking for a while.”

Something flickers across her expression then. Curiosity maybe. But before she can ask questions, I lean down and kiss her.