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"Of course it's okay," he said too easily. He turned away and looked out the window. "Lo... I know you said it's 'cause you work all the time… but really. Why no boyfriend?"
I blew out a deep breath and stared out the window at the traffic. "You want the truth?"
He looked at me expectantly.
"I have a hard time trusting people. If a guy's interested, I never know if it's for me or for the publicity. I've just heard too many nightmare stories—girls who thought their boyfriend was all about them, then suddenly they're trying out for commercials, calling the paparazzi to follow them so they can be in the magazines, all sorts of horrible things. And after seeing my mother go through guy after guy, I guess... I guess I'd just rather be alone. Build my own empire. If I meet somebody at some point, okay. But if not, it's not the end of the world. There are other things in life."
"That sounds awfully lonely."
I turned back to him, my eyebrow raised. "How about you? When was your last serious relationship?"
"Never. But it's not like I've been lonely, if you know what I mean."
I shook my head. "Sometimes I think being around people you don't really care about is a lot lonelier."
Kyle's eyes went dark, and he turned back toward the window. "You're smart. Must've been all the books you read growing up."
* * *
The LAX terminal was teeming with yelling paparazzi.
"Lo! Where are you guys headed?"
"Kyle, are you taking her away to propose to her?"
"Are you in trouble with your director?"
"Are you pregnant?"
"Are you two really a couple? Or is this a publicity stunt?" a female voice called.
I saw that damned Katie from XYZ, watching us with her brow furrowed.
I furrowed my brow back at her and inwardly cursed. "I'm not sure why you're asking that, but it's real." I turned to Kyle. "I'm going to kiss you, okay?" I whispered a little breathlessly.
He didn't even hesitate. He swept me into his arms and kissed me tenderly, running his hands down my back and sending shockwaves through my body.
He pulled away and grinned at the press. "Did you guys get that? Or do you need me to do it again?" He looked at Katie, challenging her. "For more evidence?"
There were whoops and hollers from the majority of our onlookers, but Katie just watched us skeptically. Kyle put his arm around me protectively, and now I welcomed it. He smiled at the press and squeezed my shoulder.
"We're taking a quick romantic getaway." Kyle pulled his sunglasses up on top of his thick hair and grinned at them. It seemed as if a thousand flashes went off. "Emphasis on the romance, for you non-believers. We won't tell you where we're going—that'd just spoil the fun—but we'll see you when we get back. Behave while we're gone."
"Lowell, what about that exclusive?" one of the reporters called.
"Call my agent, Shirley Reeder," I called. "She'd love to book it."
"Who's gonna get it?"
Kyle beamed at them again. "Whoever asks nicest." His eyes found Katie's. "We've narrowed the list down quite a bit."
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the security line, waving good-bye to all the photographers and grinning madly. I shook my head and laughed at him.
"What?" he asked, sounding extremely pleased with himself.
"You've got a gift." He was still holding my hand, and that made me feel warm and protected; I pulled my hand away.
He pulled his sunglasses back down and gave me a little frown. "Don't look now—they're right behind us." He took my hand back possessively.
