Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 111443 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111443 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
But Seb didn’t seem like he was in a hurry. He tossed a paper towel into the bin and set his hands on his hips expectantly. What was the question?
Oh, yeah.
“In-N-Out,” I replied, casually moving around him.
“Me too. Let’s go.”
I paused with my hand on the door and furrowed my brow. “What?”
“You heard me. We’re both hungry. It’s early and I’m buying.” He chuckled at my incredulous stare. “Why is that so hard to compute?”
“Seems fishy. That’s all.”
“You’re thinking way too hard. It’s just food.”
I gave him one more thorough once-over. “I’m gonna want fries.”
“You got it.” Seb’s eyes lit up. He pulled his cell from his pocket and leaned against the sink again. “I’ll tell Carlos to pick us up. He can take you home too. Where do you live?”
“Sherman Oaks.”
“You live in the Valley?”
“Yeah. The rent’s cheaper. But I don’t need a ride. I’m the one with the wheels, remember?”
Seb nodded. “Yeah, right. Then you can give me a ride and save Carlos the trip…and save me from the idiots at the bar.”
“Whoa.” I stepped aside for a patron entering the restroom and lowered my voice. “You want me to give you a ride home?”
“Yes, please. I don’t live far.” He sidled past me, grabbing my bicep when we stepped into the vestibule. “One more thing…it’s swarming out there. Do me a favor and be a human shield. I’ll walk on your left. If anyone tries to talk to me, tell them it’s not a good time.”
“Them? Who is them?”
“Actors and agents mostly. I can’t believe no one followed me,” he muttered, craning his neck toward the bar. “That happens all the time. One minute you’re pissing in peace and the next—”
“Some joker’s commenting about the freckle on your dick,” I finished, fixing him with a fierce glare.
Seb guffawed. “Exactly. Keep your face like that. You look grouchy as hell. If we move fast and I stick close to you, no one will bug us.”
I frowned. “You want me to be your bodyguard?”
Seb clapped decisively as he stepped around me. “Yep. Ready?”
“No, I’m not ready,” I hissed. “This is a very fucking weird night.”
He nodded sympathetically. “Very weird. But…that’s show biz for ya.”
Seb tucked himself at my side as we walked through the bar to the main exit.
So, here’s the thing…no one had paid any attention to me when I went to the restroom ten minutes ago. I mean no one. That wasn’t the case now.
Every eye at the bar was on me. Correction, every eye was on Seb. A model-handsome man raised his hand in greeting and started an avalanche of murmurs. No kidding, the place literally buzzed with a hum of excitement. A few called his name and someone whispered, “Is that Sebastian Rourke?”
Seb waved or nodded, but he didn’t stop walking. I kept pace beside him, pushing the door open and following him outside.
Twilight had descended, painting the sky in shades of indigo and blue. The full moon shone like a spotlight upon us as we made our way to the valet.
“That was different.”
He scrolled his cell distractedly. “Not really.”
“You gotta be kidding. Do you always get that kind of attention?”
“It depends. I like to go to Matteo’s before the sycophants arrive. Everybody wants to know you when they think you can do something for their career.” He glanced up from his phone and grinned. “It’s why you agreed to have a drink with me.”
“You invited me and I declined. And now I can’t fuckin’ shake you.”
I modulated my tone so I sounded like I was joking. I wasn’t, but Seb didn’t need to know he confounded me. My mission for the evening had changed from job reconnaissance to something I couldn’t quite decipher. He was playing me for sure, but I had no clue what he wanted.
“I’m buying you a burger.”
“Right,” I groused, handing my ticket and my last ten-dollar bill to the teenager manning the kiosk. I nudged Seb’s elbow. “I hate to ask, but do you have a couple of bucks for a tip?”
He shoved his cell into his pocket and pulled out two twenties. “Here you go. I meant to give you your money back anyway.”
“That’s not necessary. Do you have any ones?”
“No, just give him the twenty.”
I gaped in dismay. “Twenty bucks for driving my crappy car to the curb? Are you nuts?”
Seb frowned. “It’s all I have. Besides, you’re a waiter. I shouldn’t have to tell you to tip your service industry professionals well.”
I lifted my brows and prepared myself to be mightily entertained when he got his first glimpse of my car.
Seb didn’t disappoint.
He widened his eyes comically as I stepped forward to thank the valet, gleefully handing over Seb’s money in exchange for my keys. I got behind the wheel and rolled my window down.
“What are you waitin’ for?”