Page 11 of Wrong For Me

Will’s expression sobers, his eyes way too knowing as he studies me. This, right here, this is what sucks about having your cousin for a best friend. Will and I have known each other since we were babies. Growing up in such a famous family isn’t an experience most kids can relate to, making it hard for any of us to have close friends outside of the family. I never minded too much, honestly. Will is the best friend a girl could have, and we’ve always spent most of our time together. We even got an apartment with River a few years ago when we decided we were too old to be living at home.

He’s my best friend in the entire world. I know him better than just about anyone. Will Ransome would take a bullet for me, and I would do the same for him.

But all of that is very inconvenient right now. Because it means he can guess exactly what I’m thinking.

“We talked for a few minutes,” I admit. “It was nice. Easy. We connected. Or I thought we did, anyhow.” The truth is, I’d totally been expecting him to ask for my number. There was something about the way he looked at me.

But I obviously read him wrong because the second he realized who my dad was, he shut down. I could see it in his eyes, in the way his voice changed. Some guys would go out of their way to spend time with the daughter of a famous rock star, but plenty of guys are turned off by the whole fame thing. Obviously, Leo is in the second camp.

I can see the concern on Will’s face even though he tries to hide it. “It’s okay to like a guy, Rosie. I know what happened before was fucked up—”

I snort. My history with guys is so far beyond “fucked up” it isn’t even funny.

“But,” Will continues. “At some point you’re going to have to put it behind you and get back out there.”

“Guy has a girlfriend for a few months and suddenly he’s optimistic about romance,” I scoff.

“Who said anything about romance? I just think you need to get laid.”

I snort out a laugh. “Well, my prospects might have been looking a lot better if my dad hadn’t come over and cock-blocked me just when things were getting good.”

Will’s face grows thoughtful. “Is it technically a cock-block if you’re a chick?”

“Everly called it a clam-jam.”

Will chose the wrong time to take a sip of beer, and he nearly chokes on it. “That’s both awful and hilarious,” he says, laughing through a cough.

“That’s Everly for you.” Since my drink is empty, I grab his glass and take a swig. “But none of that is the point. He totally lost interest when he saw my dad.”

His expression softens. “Are you sure? Maybe he was just intimidated.”

“It looked like more than that.”

“Maybe he really hates Ransom’s music.”

I make a face. “If that’s true, I don’t want to talk to him anyhow. What kind of a person doesn’t like Ransom?”

“You know there’s only one way to find out,” Will presses. “I think you should talk to him. Go say hello. It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”

I stare out at the sea of bodies between us and the bar. River and the girls are right in the middle of the dance floor, jumping around and laughing. It makes me happy, watching them like that. It also makes me wonder how many of these people would be giving them so much space if they had any idea who their parents are.

“I guess it could have been worse,” I say. “He could have been a huge fan boy.”

Will snorts next to me. We both have plenty of experience with people asking us to get autographs from our very famous fathers. Or begging us to set up introductions. Or trying to hand off their demos.

Or using our family’s fame to cash in. But I guess that one’s just me.

Just then, Leo turns slightly. As if sensing my attention, his gaze goes straight to mine, our eyes locking, and recognition flashes in his handsome face. How many times had the same thing happened back at the venue? How many times had I looked up to see him already looking back at me?

That kind of a connection, with a stranger, no less, is pretty rare. And doesn’t the fact that he just happens to be at the same club Everly chose mean something? Like maybe we were supposed to see each other again tonight.

I finally bring my eyes back to my cousin. “Are you going to tease me forever if I tell you that I’m scared?”

He scoffs. “Of course I am,” he says. “But I promise I’ll tease you out of love.”

My laughter has me feeling better immediately—probably his intention—and I force myself to stand. Butterflies are rocketing around in my stomach. I never do things like this. Not when it comes to guys. Not anymore.

I’ve already been brave once tonight, approaching him in the first place. But apparently there’s something about Leo the hot bartender that makes me want to be a little reckless, because I know deep down I’m not going to be satisfied until I try again.