Luke sipped the beer in his hand. “I knew I liked her for a reason. We’re all fans, but Ry practically has a shrine in his room.”

“We’ve been through this. It is a signed jersey, not a shrine.”

Avery chuckled. “Whatever you say.”

The game turned on, and we were down by a goal. Not great, but the team had come back from worse odds. But while I watched, soccer wasn’t the thing filling my thoughts.

I was sitting here with a pack who wanted me—who was doing everything in their power to treasure me—in a frothy dress I couldn’t wear anywhere else. It was perfect.

“What are you thinking, baby?” Kade’s voice was a whisper only I could hear.

“Why?”

“Because my Omega just sighed and snuggled down like I’m a nest.”

I hadn’t even realized, but I was snuggled as close as I could be. Closer than was reasonable, and I didn’t care. “I’m just happy.”

His smile warmed my forehead. “I’m glad.”

The doorbell rang for the food, and Avery went to get it. The Thai was delicious, and I managed not to spill anything on the nightgown. That would have been a tragedy.

Unfortunately, the Scoundrels lost, but it didn’t feel that way. Not between the food and conversation and the endless rotation of arms holding me. Tomorrow, I needed to call Eva. She hadn’t heard from me since the heat started, and I had questions. Besides—

Oh.

“Has anyone looked at anything online? I haven’t had my phone since I ordered the food. Are they there?”

Ben nodded. “They are. So far it’s nothing bad. The photos are innocent. You, Kade, and Rylan. Then you and Avery cuddling after we left. The two of you getting into the cab to come home. They could try to make something out of the second photo, I guess, but it’s honestly a nice picture.”

I swallowed. We knew it was going to happen, but that didn’t make it easier. “Do they know who you are?”

“Yes.”

Wincing, I sat up straight. “They’ll probably be at the studio tomorrow. I’m sorry.”

“Like we said, Esme,” Kade ran a hand through his hair. “We didn’t go into this blind. We knew exactly who you were and what came with it. But while we’re at the studio, if you go home or anywhere else, do us a favor and call Wes or one of the other security guards? They’re going to be looking for you more than they’re looking for us.”

I sighed, but nodded. It was a good idea.

“Are the headlines okay?”

Ben shrugged. “Average. Not all of them are flattering, but they don’t know anything more than they saw us all together at a department store. There’s only so much they can make out of those details.”