AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Billy smiled. “Indeed. You know, just this morning, I was thinking I should spend more time looking at your girlfriend’s rear end.”
The crowd erupted again.
“But seriously, tell us about your relationship with Julia Keys,” Billy continued. “Things are looking pretty hot and heavy in the newspapers. Are there wedding bells in the future?”
Wedding bells? Melanie held her breath, unsure how Adam would answer, unsure what she wanted him to say. With every passing day, his relationship with Julia continued to look real. And that was what she’d wanted, wasn’t it? She’d asked him to make it convincing. She’d practically shoved him into Julia’s arms.
Adam shifted in his seat. “No. No wedding bells, despite what the tabloids want to speculate about.”
“Everything’s good, though?”
“Oh, sure. Everything’s great. What can I say? Julia is a beautiful, smart and talented woman. Any guy would be lucky to spend time with her.” On that topic in particular, Adam seemed as calm as could be.
Billy nodded eagerly. “Of course. I mean, give her my number in case she gives you the heave-ho.”
Adam continued to roll with the punches, taking the jokes at his expense, handling every sensitive subject, and there were many, including the things his ex-fiancée had said about his ability to commit, and ultimately, the question of his father’s health.
Billy gathered a stack of index cards in his hands. “I hate to bring this up, but there are an awful lot of rumors that your father’s illness is much worse than we’ve been led to believe.”
Adam pressed his lips into a thin line. “You know, my dad is receiving excellent medical care. He’s in great hands. He’s as sharp as a tack, stubborn as a mule, and still goes into the office every day.”
All true. All glossing over the reality, the one the Langfords wanted to hide. Adam had learned to handle the tough questions flawlessly.
“And at what point will you be taking over LangTel?” Billy asked, not seeming to notice that Adam hadn’t really answered his question.
“If that ever happens, it’s still a ways off. I try not to focus on it too much.”
“What was it like growing up in the shadow of such a formidable man?”
“You know, if I stand in the shadow of my dad, I’ll never measure up. That’s something I’ve come to realize over the years. He wants me to be just like him and we are alike in many ways, but I have to be my own man, as well. I can see where he’s coming from, though. If I had a son, I’d probably want the same thing.”
By the time Adam was offstage, it felt as though a massive weight had been lifted. His appearance on the Midnight Hour had been a triumph. She couldn’t have been any more proud.
“Well? I did okay, huh?” he asked. The smile on his face said that he knew very well he’d done far better than okay.
“Spectacular. I couldn’t have scripted you any better if I’d wanted to.”
“This calls for a celebration.”
“Flaherty’s? We can’t really go anywhere else without you being seen.” She strolled down the hall with him to his dressing room.
“We need champagne and Flaherty’s is not the spot for that.” Adam flashed her a look. “I was thinking my apartment. Just a nightcap. It’ll be fun.”
Adam’s apartment. Champagne. Melanie could see danger signs in her head. He was a temptation when she was mad at him—she couldn’t imagine mustering a shred of resolve when she was ready to nominate him for Man of the Year. “It’s late. You have work tomorrow, I have work.”
“And as far as I’m concerned, we’ve been working all night. We deserve a break and a celebration. I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
“Why do I have a feeling you think you’re always a perfect gentleman?”
“I don’t need to think it. I am.”
Fourteen
Pop. Champagne bubbles fizzed and sparkled as Adam filled two glasses. Maybe it was the high of having aced his appearance on the Midnight Hour, but it felt as though every sense was heightened. Or perhaps it was having Melanie in his apartment, alone.
Melanie clinked her glass with his. She sipped her champagne, vivid blue eyes gleaming. The look on her face was so familiar and damning—flirtation, invitation. It only made him want to try, again, even when it could end with her hand squarely in the center of his chest, her supple lips muttering, “I can’t.”
“You really were spectacular tonight. Truly,” she said.
