Jay laughed at that. “All right, but if you change your mind, Asher Charming, Dean and I have never said no to giving others a good show. Maybe we could teach you something.”

That wasn’t going to happen. I was on Asher’s side with that.

“We want half the money deposited before we start,” Asher said. “The second half upon completion. Deal?”

Jay offered Asher his hand. “Deal. You’d make a fine businessman, Ash.”

“One more year of school, then look out.”

We said goodbye to Jay and headed back to our room.

THE FOLLOWING DAY was chaos. I’d never been in a position where I’d held celebrity status. This whole thing may have been over a book, and we may have been nothing more than the cover models who portrayed characters from said book, but the buzz and hype were beyond my expectations. We’d become an overnight sensation.

Charlotte’s team had provided us with matching tuxes for the event and Aria’s services to help us look our best. We dressed and let her fuss over our hair and add a touch of makeup to even us out—despite Asher’s protests. My nerves were skyrocketing, and the way Asher bounced his leg on the bench beside me told me he felt the same.

“Hold still, hun.” Aria placed a gentle hand on Asher’s knee, and he tensed his muscles in an effort to obey.

“Were there a lot of people?” he asked Aria. “You were over there, right?”

She smiled as she powdered his nose and forehead. “Enough they had to call in more security. Charlotte’s signing was crazy this morning. Lines out the door. I don’t know how the woman smiled like that for three straight hours. My face would have cracked.”

“Great. Wow. Fuck.” He blew out a breath and glanced at me. “I’m sweating and shaking already.”

“We’ll be fine. We’re doing this together. You and me.”

Asher took my hand and didn’t let go while Aria fussed with his hair next. If she found it odd for us to be connected this way, she didn’t say anything. She’d witnessed a lot worse in our photo shoots, so I figured she was immune to us by now.

There was a knock at the door, and Asher startled.

“I’ll get it.” I dislodged his hand from mine and patted his knee.

When I swung the door open, I flinched. “Holy shit, they sent the next James Bond for real this time.” I found myself in the shadow of a towering and imposing man in a black suit.