Unconventional Fling (A Working Girl’s Guide, Book 1) Read Free Page B

seemed to be working in her favor. She handed Andie the money and hung the lanyard around her neck. “I’ll be right over there.” She nodded at the autograph line. “Feel free to stalk me the entire time, and I’ll give it back as soon as I’m done.”
    Andie pocketed the money with a snort. “He’s not worth it.”
    “Excuse me?” An edge slipped into Jade’s question. She should dial that back.
    “Nothing.” Andie dropped back into her seat. “I’ll be right here.”
    Jade took her place in line again, giving the security guy a big grin and flashing the borrowed badge when he approached. And then slowly crept forward with the rest of the group. Andie stood at the edge of her sight, her expression growing more impatient as the time ticked away, and every once in a while Jade tried to send her a reassuring wave. Wow, this is taking forever.
    Her heart dropped into her shoes when she realized she’d reached the front of the line. What was she supposed to say? She shifted her weight from one foot to the other while the actors took pictures with the person who’d been in front of her. And then it was her turn.
    Brandon’s eyes grew wide when she stepped forward, smile quickly spreading. “I didn’t know you were a fan.”
    She couldn’t help returning the pleased look but made sure to tuck away most of her giddiness. “I didn’t realize you were famous.”
    He grabbed a small poster off a nearby stack that sported the cartoon characters she figured were him and his cohorts. “No more than you are.”
    “I’m not famous.”
    “How much do people pay for you to fly from city to city visiting them?” His Sharpie hovered over the print, but he didn’t write anything. “I’d say that makes you famous.”
    “Or a good negotiator when it came to my employment contract.”
    He scribbled something, holding it at an angle so the glare of the lights above kept her from reading it. He nodded to his left. “Who’s your friend?”
    She followed his gaze to Andie, who stood at the edge of the line, almost hopping with irritation. Jade’s smile faded to embarrassment. “That’s who I borrowed the badge from.”
    He grabbed another print. “I’m flattered. What’s your plan now that you’re here?”
    “I hadn’t gotten that far,” she confessed.
    “Hey, people are still waiting,” an irritated voice from behind cut through the banter.
    “Sorry.” He looked like he meant it. “I need to get back to this.”
    “And I should probably give Andie back her badge.” So much for this being a brilliant idea . Jade didn’t know what else to say. “Are you in town the rest of the weekend?” she blurted out before she could talk herself out of it.
    “Hey, bitch. You’re holding up the line.” The insult carried distinctly over the chatter of the hotel lobby, bringing most of it to a stop.
    Heat flooded Jade’s cheeks, but before she could figure out how to respond, Brandon had jumped over the table and was standing in front of the impatient line-dweller. Jade whirled so quickly as she followed the movement, it made her head spin.
    “Is there an issue?” Brandon stood toe-to-toe with the shorter man, his voice a low growl.
    Any conversation that hadn’t stopped before ground to a halt. An eerie silence blanketed the packed room.
    Line-dweller had to crane his neck up to look at Brandon. “I’ve—that is—I mean—I’ve just been waiting in line for a while.”
    “So have a lot of people.” Brandon’s quiet response echoed in the still room. “Apologize to the young lady.”
    Line-dweller turned his head toward Jade, the rest of his body staying rigid. “I’m sorry.”
    “For?” Brandon prompted.
    “C-c-calling you names. I’m sure you’re very nice when you’re not holding up a line.”
    Jade would have laughed at the qualifier if her emotions weren’t already torn between appreciation and mortification. “It’s okay.”
    Death Demon stepped into the middle of the tension.