Remi snorted.

“Wait.” Cherisse looked at Ava aghast. “You bet against us?”

Ava smirked. “I figured you two disliked each other too much. Should’ve known that would be grounds for some good old hate sex, at least.”

Cherisse rolled her eyes. She had to get this whirl of emotions under control. Focus on the wedding. Maybe she could sort out the Keiran mess along the way.

Chapter 33

Keiran

CHERISSE’S VOICE ECHOED around the studio, and Keiran realized he’d hit an all-new low, sitting here, listening to Cherisse’s vocals on that track when he could be doing anything else. The new track with Sheila and Sean had been well received, and even though his personal life was currently in shambles, his professional one was moving along smoothly. He hadn’t reached out to her since her birthday party, as per her wishes, but he’d almost sent tons of messages that bordered on begging. That for sure wouldn’t have solved anything and would just further aggravate Cherisse.

He had to give her space, and if she decided she wanted nothing to do with him, it was her call. What he needed to do was build some sort of fortification around himself before the rehearsal dinner because otherwise, he was likely to throw himself at her feet, a sobbing mess. He’d held back tears enough for one day. But it was all his damn fault, so he deserved the burning eyes and pounding headache. Trying to stem tears took a lot out of a person.

He stared hard at his phone as the vocals died away. What if he just sent a quick message making sure she was okay? Because that would go over so well when he was the reason she wasn’t okay in the first place.

He rubbed at his throbbing head. Just let it be.

He had a best man speech to finalize. He should focus on that. His gift for the bride and groom had been sorted, and Keiran allowed himself a small grin. He’d more than nailed it. The urge to text Cherisse, tease her with that knowledge, made his fingers twitch towards the phone, but he forced his hand into a fist.

No. Just stop. You are pathetic.

Not so easy. Not with the wedding looming in the coming week. But he had to try.

“So, this is where the magic happens?”

Keiran nearly tipped backwards, so lost in thought he hadn’t heard anyone come into the studio, and he certainly didn’t expect to see Remi here. He righted himself and turned the chair to face her, heart racing. Had Cherisse sent Remi to end it? Was she that disgusted with him? No. Cherisse wasn’t a coward like him. She would have come herself.

Remi peered down at him. “Relax, I’m not here to assassinate you or anything.” She tilted her head as she leaned in to look at his face, her mass of curls nearly brushing his thigh. “Have you been crying?” she asked.