“You too,” I murmured as I lowered my sunglasses once more, grateful now that Destanie had suggested they be part of the uniform.

I watched Emily as she uncapped a bottle of water, tipping her head and drinking half of it, her slender throat moving as she swallowed. Charlie laughed at something the woman next to him said, leaning toward Emily as though letting her in on the joke, his hand resting on the small of her back and then sliding down to her ass before again moving up and coming to rest on her lower spine. She smiled at him half-heartedly. I massaged my jaw. She glanced over her shoulder at me, and I turned my head slightly so that it appeared I was scanning the small crowd. When she’d rejoined the conversation, I focused my gaze on her again, watching as she pulled at her top, grimacing and readjusting it. I saw the edge of a red welt where the sequined fabric had obviously dug into her flesh. So that was why she wanted me to wear tight spandex or whatever. She wanted everyone around her to be as uncomfortable as she was. I stretched my arms, glad I’d disobeyed the instructions.

The woman onstage who had been going over some moves with the backup dancers called Emily’s name, and she gave Charlie a kiss on the cheek and headed back to join them.

When I looked back at the table laden with snacks and drinks, Charlie and his bodyguard were gone. I walked to the door, closed it and flipped the lock and then went to grab a water but when I got there, I didn’t see any among the cans of soda and energy drinks.

“Can I help you find something?” I looked up at a pretty brunette wearing a lime-green sports bra and a pair of small white shorts. I recognized her from the earlier dance number.

“I was just looking for a bottle of water.”

She looked over the drinks. “Oh. I guess they ran out. There’s a refrigerator around the corner there in the lounge where extra supplies are kept. Do you want me to go check?” She gestured behind her, then brought her hand forward, holding it out to me and smiling. “I’m Caycee, by the way.”

“Hi, Caycee. Tuck. I’m Emily’s bodyguard. And no, that’s okay. I’ll go grab it. I need to stretch my legs anyway.”

“Oh! Emily’s bodyguard. That’s great. I’m a member of the dance team. Welcome to the family. It looks like we’ll all be getting to know each other well over the course of the tour.” Her smile grew and her eyes moved down my body, giving me a suggestive stare. “By the way, a group of us are going out for drinks after this if you’re available.”

“Ah, maybe. I’ll see. Thanks for the invite.”

“Sure, catch you later.”