Chapter 9

Dusty leanedagainst the elevator wall, flipping his key card over and over between his fingers. The SoHo Grand Hotel. He could hardly believe this was real. It was a gorgeous boutique hotel with loads of character and old New York charm, but it was pricier than he would have chosen for himself. Ann had insisted for security reasons—the paparazzi in New York were apparently every bit as bad as the ones in LA, and besides, everyone attending the big party tonight was staying here, the not-so-secret hideout to the stars.

He hadn't argued much; he was dying to see how the other half lived.

And he kind of was the other half, at least right now.

He smiled at the bellman who'd insisted on dragging his single suitcase to his room for him, then texted Ann. At the hotel>

His phone rang the second he stepped off the elevator.

"Hello, Ann," he sang playfully.

"You got there okay?"

"Fine. I still wish you'd come with me. It was a long, boring flight, and now I'm here alone in this amazing hotel." He headed down the hallway toward his room.

"I'm jealous, but there's no need for me to be there, and as much as I love you, you know I have other clients."

He scoffed playfully. "It's just Wilson's movie premiere, what's the big deal?"

"Funny." He could picture Ann rolling her eyes at him. "Did wardrobe arrive?"

The bellman waited while he opened the door with his key card. He pressed a five-dollar bill into the man's palm and mouthed, Thank you, hoping five dollars was acceptable for one suitcase and an elevator ride.

"Hang on, I'm just getting to the—whoa. Embarrassingly, yes, wardrobe is here. There's a long rack of clothing in my suite. So many choices. It's like I'm on set again."

Charlie was bustling around but stopped long enough to give him a wave. He waved back, pointing to his phone, and she gave him a thumbs-up.

"Oh, good." Ann sounded relieved. "I'm glad she made it before you. Choose wisely, and don't lose any jewelry you borrow."

"Man, you lose a three-million-dollar diamond necklace one time…" he joked.

Ann laughed. "You wish you'd ever borrowed one you could lose."

"Right?" He'd never been so lucky. He slipped his coat off and wandered the room. "This place is amazing. Ooh, a Jacuzzi tub! And the mini bar isn't mini." He picked up a bottle of champagne that was sitting in a bucket of ice and considered opening it. "Should I be nervous about this dinner?"

"No. It's dinner. The food is going to be amazing, and people are going to ask you questions and talk about themselves instead of listening to the answers." Ann chuckled. "So, are you going to tell me how the interview went, or what?"

"Oh! Sorry. It went really well. I was treated like royalty from the second I walked in. It started on time, Holly Gross was very sweet. She focused on the movie and my career and didn't ask me anything too personal…it was good. She was very professional." She had asked him about Cameron when the camera wasn't rolling, and he'd told her they were taking it slow. That was the truth after all. Not that they had much choice—Cam had a gig this weekend, and Dusty had to be in New York for the interview and this dinner thing.

"Oh, good." Ann sounded pleased. "I wasn't worried, she has a good reputation, but you never know when these TV personalities will decide to dig deeper than they should for a story."

"No, she was fine. Very nice." And he was relieved.

"Great. Fantastic. Okay, I have to run, kiddo. Have fun tonight."

"Wait! Wait, I've got these terrible butterflies and?—"

"You'll be fine. It's just dinner."

"Just dinner? There is no such thing as ‘just dinner' with Jasper Kennedy!" The man was a billionaire. He was known for his philanthropy, but that didn't make him any less intimidating. "Why does he want me at his dinner?"

"How many times do I have to tell you? This is your circle now, kiddo. He probably wants to ask you to do a commercial or commit to one of his fundraisers or something. Just be yourself and enjoy it."

Be himself. He wasn't sure who "himself" really was anymore. The award-winning actor on the outside still felt like a starving artist scrambling for his next role on the inside. "Couldn't he just call me?"

Ann snorted. "That's not how things are done at this level, kiddo. Relax. He invited a dozen other people at least. You're going to have a great time."

Right. Jasper's attention wouldn't be on him all night, but he had to figure everyone there was going to be a somebody. He wished he could have brought Cameron. He was terrible at making small talk, and Cam was so good at it. Plus, going to this dinner alone seemed harder than going to the awards by himself.

"I'm sorry, I really have to run, kiddo."

Charlie waved to get his attention, then tapped her wrist. He gave her a nod.

"Okay. Charlie says it's time to get ready anyway. Good luck to Wilson."

"Have fun."

Ann hung up and he sighed. "This is going to be?—"

"Amazing," Charlie finished his sentence for him. "You're going to meet incredible people and eat incredible food. You're going to look stunning too, of course, because…me."

He laughed. "I can't argue with that last bit."

"Nope! You can't. Sit."

The ridiculously lavish room had a fancy little dressing table but Charlie hated the light, so she'd set up her own around it, fussing until she was happy with the placement.

"Why did Ann send you all the way out here if this is just dinner?"

"Pfft." Charlie shook her head. "It's not just dinner. It's dinner with Jasper Kennedy."

"Right? That's what I thought. Ann was all, ‘Relax, kiddo' …I am not relaxed."

"Oh, no. You're going to be fine. From what I hear, he's a nice enough guy. You just need to look impeccable. First impressions, you know?"

"Smoke and mirrors." He sighed.

"Ugh. Don't be such a downer, man," Charlie drawled. "One glass of wine, and you'll wonder what you were so worried about."

He was allowed to have a couple of drinks at this event. Something to look forward to. He might survive after all. "Maybe. I bet this place has good wine too."

"One has to assume…" Charlie chuckled and got to work.

* * *

Dusty's stylish suit, poet's collar shirt, and expensive watch didn't make him one bit less intimidated by the enormous hotel suite where Jasper was hosting predinner cocktails. Looking the part helped him feel the part on set, but in real life, it was like wearing a mask, and not a very comfortable one.

He was escorted inside and immediately offered his choice of a martini or champagne from a tray carried by a server in a tux.

Jesus Christ.

He picked up the martini and took a sip right away.

It was strong and it burned a little going down—exactly what he needed.

He'd arrived a little late on purpose, and there were already a few people milling around. He'd hoped to get the lay of the land before meeting Jasper, but no such luck. His host was on it.

"Dusty!" Jasper left the couple he'd been speaking with and hurried his way. He was a short and slightly round older man with knowing eyes and a kind smile. "Welcome. It's wonderful to meet you. Thank you so much for coming."

Jasper's grip was firm but friendly as they shook. "It's completely my honor. I was floored by your invitation, quite honestly, thank you."

Jasper seemed pleased by that admission. "When I heard you'd be in New York, I didn't hesitate. Congratulations on your achievement."

"Thank you very much."

"Martini, extra dry, two olives, delivered with affection."

Holy fuck. No fucking way.

"Thank you, Cameron. You're very kind."

Their eyes met as Jasper kissed Cam on the cheek. He couldn't hide his shock, but apart from a momentary blink of surprise, Cameron didn't even flinch.

"Cameron, meet Dusty Harding. You know him, don't you?"

Know me? Fuck.

Cameron's eyebrow flew up. "Know him?"

"You must, of course. Dusty just won Best Actor for Until It's Over."

He saw Cameron relax immediately, his whole demeanor changing. "Oh. Oh yes, of course. It was my favorite movie all year. You were so good." Cameron offered him a hand and he shook it.

This wasn't awkward at all.

"Cameron loves the movies."

"I do. I just didn't recognize you without the…thing." Cameron tapped his own chin.

He played it as cool as he could manage. "The goatee."

"Yes." Cameron's smile seemed more than polite. "That's it."

"I get that a lot."

"I've invited Dusty here for a very specific reason," Jasper said, giving Cam a wink.

Cameron slipped his hand through Jasper's arm. "Oh?"

God, that was a flirty smile. He didn't roll his eyes, but he wanted to.

"Yes. Dusty, I have a proposition for you. Can we talk later?"

"Of course." Ann was right; Jasper wanted something.

"Good. Excellent. Oh, Cam, look. Robin Ashley just walked in."

They all looked over at the statuesque young woman who'd just walked into the suite. He had no idea who she was, but she was gorgeous, and he was even more grateful that Charlie had been there for him earlier.

Cam gasped, playing his role well. "Will you introduce me? She's stunning."

"Happily." Jasper turned to Dusty. "You'll forgive me while I welcome my other guests?"

"Of course. We'll talk later."

"Yes, wonderful. Come along, sweetheart." Jasper led Cameron away.

Sweetheart?

He watched them go, and Cameron never once glanced back at him.

Okay, this was fucking awkward. He took two more big sips of his martini.

"Thirsty?"

"Hm?" He turned toward the voice.

"Your martini must be lighter than mine—I don't think I could down it like that."

"Oh. Um. I'm a little…this is quite a gathering."

"I know." The woman smiled at him and leaned a little in his direction. "I've never been to a gathering like this."

"Oh my God, me either."

"I could kind of tell." She pointed to his almost empty glass and they both laughed.

"Yeah, okay. I'm Dusty." He offered his hand.

"I know. The actor. I loved your movie."

His movie. "Yep. There is only the one so far."

"Oh, I didn't mean?—"

"No, I'm sorry. I'm kidding. I'm just not entirely sure why I'm here."

"That makes two of us."

He squinted at her. "Well, which are you? Rich or famous?"

She rolled her eyes. "Not rich but maybe getting famous? I'm Kylie Kitty."

"Wait, really? I wore you. Your tux, I mean."

She nodded. "I know. It looked great on you."

"It was gorgeous. That fabric was luscious and the tone-on-tone pattern on the jacket? I just loved it."

Kylie's smile was bright and happy. "I'm so glad! I was stunned to hear you'd chosen to wear it."

"I got your note about not being able to be at the fitting. Is your son doing better?"

"Oh my goodness, yes. He fine. He just picked exactly the wrong day to break his arm. I know it was important to you, and I'm sorry. I couldn't just leave him at the hospital with my mother."

"No! No, of course not. Kids are more important than a jacket. Even a really hot jacket." He grinned at her. "I looked like a million dollars."

"Thank you for your understanding, and yes. You really did. I was so proud. And thank you for winning—my phone hasn't stopped ringing since."

"Oh, you're welcome. That was well played, huh?"

She squinted at him, and they both cracked up. "So, now that we've met, we should stick together."

"God, yes. I wasn't sure what to do with myself alone."

"Well, you'd have enjoyed that martini, I guess."

"Oh." He blushed, embarrassed. "I needed a little courage after meeting Jasper."

"Yeah. I vaped in the bathroom." She shrugged. "He's very nice, though."

"He is. He wants something, I'm not sure what yet."

"Right? I got that feeling too, but I can't imagine what it could be. If he wanted a suit, he didn't need to invite me to dinner."

"Right? Hm." The pieces weren't fitting together for him.

"His boyfriend is adorable, isn't he?"

Dusty swallowed hard. "Is that his boyfriend?"

He glanced over at Robin, who had been joined by a tall, skinny man who was talking and gesturing emphatically. Cameron laughed and hugged Jasper's arm, which he was still hanging on to like he couldn't stand up without it.

"Well, I assume. I mean, they're clearly together."

"Oh. Clearly." The little hairs stood up on the back of his neck and he reminded himself that Cam was working. Then he reminded himself that he and Cameron weren't actually a thing. Again. Yet. Whatever.

"He looks kind of familiar to me."

Well, shit.He was going to play stupid. What choice did he have? "Who?"

"The boyfriend. I can't figure out where I know him from."

Dusty shrugged, deflecting. "No idea. I think I need another martini."

"I'm coming with you."

* * *

"It was the wildest experience."

"As the saying goes, I don't think I'd jump out of a perfectly good airplane," Jasper joked and Cameron laughed, making sure to sound delighted. Staying present in the conversation was difficult with Dusty here, looking like a walking fashion icon. Dusty could wear a designer suit as if it were a second skin. He was so handsome. So hot.

"I bet you would, Cameron. You seem like the adventurous type."

He shook his head no. "I think I'll leave that up to people that are braver than I am."

"Wise. Wise, man. I stayed on the ground, thank you very much." Robin was tall and lovely. She and her husband, Ike, were both models. He couldn't imagine their life. And he wasn't used to feeling short around people either.

"I swear, once you've tried it…"

Cameron noticed Jasper's butler waving subtly from the door a moment before Jasper did.

"Would you?—"

"Yep. I'll check on it."

"Thank you." Jasper squeezed his hand, then let him go to the door.

"Andrew. What's up?" He wondered whether Andrew was a hired butler for the night or someone Jasper traveled with a lot. He didn't know if he should ask, so he didn't.

"Sir, they tell me we should head down for dinner."

"Hm." He looked at his watch. "Isn't it early?"

"A touch." Andrew's tone was dry as dust and it made him laugh.

"Got it. Is everyone here?"

"Yes, sir. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley were the last."

"Okay. Thanks, Andrew." He gave Jasper a wave. "Let me see what he wants to do."

"Very good, sir."

Cameron went to Jasper's side. "The hotel says dinner is almost ready."

Jasper sighed. "They're early. No one respects a good cocktail hour anymore. Very well, we'd better go eat then, hm?"

He hung back while Jasper moved to the center of the room next to an extravagant table of mostly untouched hors d'oeuvres. "Friends, I am so glad to see you all, and thank you for coming. It seems the hotel has pushed our timeline up a bit, and dinner will be ready shortly. I've reserved a gorgeous private room, and there is a dedicated elevator at the end of the hall that will take us all there without having to parade through the lobby. If you would please follow Andrew to the left as you leave the suite."

Jasper gestured for them to go ahead, and the room filled with the hum of conversation again.

The servers collected glasses as everyone left one by one. Jasper waited, and the two of them brought up the rear. The elevator had already left on its first trip when they got there, and they joined a small group waiting for the next one.

Robin and Ike were there, and maddeningly, Dusty too, who was hanging out with Kylie, the designer who'd been glancing at him with interest since she'd arrived.

All Cameron needed was for her to make a move on him, and he'd hit the trifecta of awkward.

He'd never figured out the best way to handle that.

Dusty caught his eyes and he immediately looked away and took Jasper's arm. That was a complication he couldn't deal with here. He'd explained to Dusty the way things were with his work. That everything was confidential. He was surprised the agency hadn't investigated the guest list more thoroughly—they would have at least warned him, if not passed the job on to someone else entirely.

He needed a poker face for now, and Dusty was going to have to understand. After dinner, he'd figure out where Dusty's room was so they could talk.

"Everyone is so quiet," Ike observed, chuckling softly.

"It's pre-elevator etiquette," Kylie joked and got a nice laugh.

The door opened while they were still chuckling, and they all climbed in. Cameron hung on to Jasper but he could smell Dusty's cologne behind him, the same one he'd been wearing forever, and he closed his eyes for a second, just breathing it in.

And thinking about those blue eyes and all that smooth skin.

"Come along, Cameron."

He blinked. Jesus, when had the doors opened?

Damn.

He was going to have to keep his distance from Dusty. Jasper was very particular about being his focus, he knew that, and he had a job to do. He threaded his fingers through Jasper's and apologized, and Jasper seemed perfectly happy.

The dining room was buzzing with conversation as they arrived. There was one long table like you'd see in period movies with ornate chairs running down both sides and a large thronelike chair at one end. There was no question who that seat was for, and all the seats had place cards. They had titles on them, not the names of the guests, though. They said things like "Producer" and "Talent," and "Master of Ceremonies."

"I'm sure you're a little confused." Jasper pulled him to the head of the table. "I can understand that, since I didn't share with anyone why I invited you and the rest of this eclectic group to dinner this evening."

He was starting to put it together, though, and others had to be as well.

"Any guesses what I'm planning?"

"Reality show?"

"A movie."

"Broadway?"

Jasper pointed to Dusty, who'd guessed the last one. "Close."

"Exhibition."

"Closer!" Jasper clapped his hands together.

"Maybe…a fashion show?" Kylie said softly.

Jasper squinted at her. "Did everyone hear that? Say it again, Kylie."

Poor Kylie was so uncomfortable, but she found a steady, strong voice and repeated, "A fashion show."

"A fashion show! I'd like to put together a big charity fashion show to benefit a local cause—or causes, all chosen by consensus—featuring Kylie Kitty's work, supported by a couple of other up-and-coming designers. I hope each of you will consider lending your time, your expertise, and in some cases, your own talent."

"Oh, my God." Kylie looked like she might pass out. Dusty put an arm over her shoulders and celebrated quietly with her while the room erupted in applause.

"Great idea!"

"I'm in."

"Sounds like fun, Jasper."

Cam looked around and everyone was nodding and smiling.

"So, now I hope you can all find your seats?"

The guests all gravitated naturally to their chairs this time, but Dusty hung back a little.

Jasper called him over. "Is something wrong, Dusty?"

"Well, I'm not sure…is that my seat?"

"Does it say Master of Ceremonies?"

"Yes, but?—"

"Then that's your seat!" Jasper laughed happily. The theatrics in the presentation were corny but fun at the same time.

"Me?"

"If you're willing."

"I'm…wow." Dusty went to Kylie and the two of them sat down together.

Jasper took a seat as well, and the conversation around them grew lively.

There was no place card at his seat, nor had he expected one. "What a great idea."

"I hope so. I think it will be fun. And of course, it's a philanthropic opportunity for me."

"You're very generous."

Dusty and Kylie were sitting directly across from him, having an animated conversation. He physically turned toward Jasper so he wouldn't be distracted.

"I'm afraid I couldn't give you a role," Jasper explained, patting his hand. "The agency won't let me book you that far out, and I didn't know what to call you anyway. Handsome arm candy seemed condescending."

"Even if that is what I am?" He didn't mind the label, but it probably was better not written down.

"Even if." Jasper was sweet really, it was hard to imagine why he was single. He supposed that, being a billionaire, it was hard to know who to trust your heart with, much less your money. Maybe this was easier. "I hope you'll be available."

He wasn't going to make a commitment; that was foolish and also against the rules. It kept the escorts from having to say no to a client directly. "You'll have to check with the agency."

"I know, I have a request in. I suppose they'll let me know."

"They will, as soon as they have the rosters done for that time period." He wasn't sure how far out this event was going to be. Six months? A year? It probably wasn't worth thinking about at this point.

And if Dusty was involved…

Well, things might get a little…wow.

Jasper said something he missed, but fortunately it wasn't to him.

Just do your goddamn job, Cam.

He pushed everything from his mind and concentrated on Jasper.