“It’s not a lie.”

He moves toward me and brushes my lower lip with his thumb. “Talk to me.”

“You’re busy,” I state simply.

His eyes narrow, watching me, and then he sighs. “I’ve slowed down.”

“For now.” I shrug. “Did you decorate this place?” I ask before he can drill me further on the subject.

“No.” He laughs. “This is pretty much what it looked like when I moved in.”

“It’s not you,” I tell him honestly. “It’s cold and impersonal.”

“What am I?” He asks and moves a little closer.

“You’re not this ultra modern, sterile place.”

“Maybe I should have it redecorated?” He asks with a grin.

“Maybe.” I shrug.

I don’t like it that he lives here. That’s what it boils down to. I hate it that he owns a house in L.A. and not in Seattle. This isn’t where he belongs.

“Okay, your brain is moving past the speed of light, and as much as I’d love to torture you until you talk to me, we need to get you to Burbank.” He leans in to kiss me softly, tenderly, and I’m shocked to feel tears trying to form in my eyes. “We’ll talk later.”

“I’m fine.”

“We’ll talk later.”

***

“Thanks for coming all this way for this interview, Ms. Williams.” Mr. Foss smiles and shakes my hand. He’s shown me around the offices, introduced me to a few people, and now we’re settled in his office, ready to get down to business.

“Thanks for having me.” I smile brightly.

“Your resume is certainly impressive, and there are about three other people who will join us shortly to proceed through the interview. But before they do, I have a couple of questions.”

“Of course.”

“I called your former employer at Seattle Magazine.”

Fuck.

“Yes?”

“I’ve known Bob for quite some time. As you know, the world of journalism is a small one.” He smiles kindly, but I feel my stomach clench.

“That it is.” I nod. Get to the point.

“Bob wasn’t terribly complimentary.” He begins and I feel my cheeks heat. That sonofabitch! “But I know, being in the business we are, that there are always two sides to a story.” He raises an eyebrow.

“Mr. Foss.” I begin and clear my throat. “I love what I do. I think you’ll see from my resume and other references that I’m dedicated and that I’m good at my job. But I’m fiercely loyal to my family, and I would hope that any employer who takes me on would respect that.”

He watches me for a moment, leaned back in his chair, his fingers laced over his round belly. Finally, he purses his lips and nods. “Fair enough.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Why am I going to this again?” I ask Leo as he drives up the freeway the next morning.

“Why not?” He asks.

“I could have just stayed at your place and sent out resumes until you got home.”

“That’s boring.” He grins over at me. “Besides, I thought I’d take you over to the pier in Santa Monica on the way back home.”

“Sight seeing?” I ask with a grin.

“Sure.” He shrugs. “I’ll take you on the Ferris wheel.”

“I’m afraid of heights.”

“I’ll keep you safe.” He kisses my hand and pulls into a parking lot.

“We’re at Arista records.” I tilt my head back and stare at the tall building.

“Oh good, ‘cause that’s where I wanted to go.” He laughs at me as he climbs out of the car.

“You’re a smart ass.” I smack his arm and then laugh when he swings me back into a deep dip and kisses me silly.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers, his eyes happy.

“You’re forgiven,” I whisper back.

“You’re easy.” He laughs and hugs me to him as we enter the building and he leads me to the bank of elevators.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

“The other guys are already here.”

“Nash is here? Why?”

“We’re doing an interview and some photos for a spread in People for when the next album releases. It’s not for a few months, but this way we don’t have to do it later.”

“Okay, so again, why am I here?”

“I thought it would be fun.” He frowns down at me. “Are you seriously uncomfortable with this?”

“I don’t know.”

“We won’t be long.” He kisses my forehead as the doors open to a lobby that wraps around to a photo studio already set up with lights and a white backdrop.

“Hey, man.” A shorter guy with a tall Mohawk grips Leo in a hug. “How you been?”

“Good, man. Hey, this is Sam.” Leo turns to me with a grin. “Sam, this is DJ, our bassist. You’ve met Eric and Jake. That over there is Gary.”

Everyone smiles and waves.

“Good to see you again.” Eric smiles, his voice friendly and void of the flirtation from before.

“Were you testing me when I met you back in Seattle?” I ask him and plant my hands on my hips.

“You passed.” He shrugs and grins widely. Jesus, no wonder the women throw their underwear at him.

“You’re too cute for your own good.” I offer him a mock glare. “Don’t flirt with me or I’ll have to hurt you.”

“I like her.” Gary calls out from where he’s sitting in a director’s chair having his makeup done.

“Gee, you look pretty.” Leo taunts him.

“Shut up.”

“Mr. Nash, if you’ll sit here, we’ll get you ready. Everyone else is good to go.”

“You are not touching me with makeup,” Leo growls and I slap my hand over my mouth before I laugh out loud.

“But, the lights…” The pour gay-as-can-be makeup artist stops talking when Leo raises his hand at him.

“It’s called Photoshop.”

“You’re an ass.” Jake smirks and scrolls through his phone.

“But I’m makeup-free,” Leo agrees. “Where’s Lori?” He asks Gary.

“Right here!” We all turn as a very pregnant, very tall brunette woman glides into the room.

Good God, she’s gorgeous.

“Hey, pretty face.” Leo grins and hugs Lori gently, lays his hand on her belly and kisses her cheek.