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“No. Honestly, and no offense, but I’d rather not be seen with you in public.” Tonight, I took a huge step away from trapped, conflicted Kendall. I’m moving forward. I need to keep moving forward, but I also want to keep my personal life private.
His eyebrows lift. “No offense, huh?”
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. What I meant was you’re a celebrity, and with that comes media attention. I like to stay under the radar.”
He takes my hand in his. “There will be a lot of other high-profile people there. I’m not the main attraction.” His thumb rubs over my knuckles. “But I do have to go, and I leave town for a photo shoot Friday morning. I really want to spend time with you while I can. How about we skip the press gauntlet and sneak in?”
The soothing gesture of his thumb lowers my defenses, as does the subtle reminder our time together is limited. But still…“I know I sound paranoid, but all it would take is one picture of us on social media for people in my hometown to start rehashing my past, except this time their comments could find a broader audience. A part of me is always afraid of that kind of exposure. I’m not just worried about myself. I would hate for Mason and his parents to be put through it.”
“I understand, but I swear it won’t be an issue. This is an exclusive event, not a media free-for-all. Inside coverage of the actual party will be limited and focused almost entirely on Laney.” He turns my hand over, traces his finger across my palm. “I can’t see the future, but I don’t need that power to know nothing will happen Thursday night except we’ll listen to some new music, dance, schmooze a few of the America Rocks producers—if they show—and hopefully congratulate Laney. It should be a fun event, but it will be infinitely more fun if you join me.
“Besides,” he adds, as if he doesn’t know I’m already a big puddle of yes, “how can you leave Los Angeles without attending a Hollywood VIP event with your good friend Vaughn?”
Is that the turn we’ve taken? Friends—good friends—with temporary benefits? It rings a little hollow, but it also puts my concerns into perspective. I’m not a permanent part of Vaughn’s life, and he’s not a fixture in mine. So, is there really any harm in experiencing the excitement of his world for a few hours? “Okay.”
I barely get the word out before his handsome face is inches from mine. His lips graze the shell of my ear. “Great. I’ll pick you up at six.”
“On one condition. You come to my exhibit on Wednesday.”
His grin is blindingly white. “Deal. That takes care of Wednesday and Thursday, but right now I’m more interested in tonight. I hope you’re okay with staying over, because I’m not done yet,” he says. “Not by a long shot.”
Dizziness fills my head and without any hesitation I say, “I’m not done, either.”
