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“Why do you ask?” I’m stalling because I need a minute to compose my answer.
She shrugs her delicate shoulders and her t-shirt slips, revealing the elegant curve of her neck and collarbone. I drag my eyes away and face forward so I can think without the vision of her clouding my brain.
In the end, I decide to give her as much honesty as I can. “Yes, I know him a little.”
“From the club?”
I bite my lip, wondering how to answer that without betraying his confidence.
“It’s fine. Forget I asked that. How about this, is there a reason you don’t like him?”
I stop in the middle of the sidewalk and some idiot almost plows into me because his head is in his phone. I pull Amelia to the side out of the way and we face each other.
I run my hand through my hair and then take both of Amelia’s hands in mine, loving the silky skin against my rougher ones.
“I don’t hate him. We have no issues to speak of. I guess I’m just a little protective of you. Xander leads a different life from us, always traveling and dating different women all the time and I have no problem with that, but I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“So there’s nothing specific I should be concerned about? He isn’t a closet stamp collector and he doesn’t keep his toes nail clippings in a jar by his bed or anything?”
I chuckle and wrap my arm around her, kissing her head as we begin to walk again. “No, as far as I know, he does none of those things.”
I evade her question easily but the unease in my belly stays long after I’ve seen her safely home and I’m lying in my bed wishing for sleep to claim me. Xander does have a few major issues but they aren’t mine to tell and I’d never betray him or anyone else that way. I will, however, be watching him closely and won’t hesitate to knock his teeth out if I see any sign that he’s going to hurt my girl.
7: Xander
I blowout a breath to ease the tension in my shoulders and it does nothing. Head up, I push open the heavy glass door with the ‘Rise Talent Agency’ logo on the front. I smile widely at Lois manning the reception desk as I pass, and she gives me a little wink. Lois is one of those people who you can’t be sure of her age but if I had to guess, she’d be well into her seventies. Her silver grey hair is coiffed and her make-up is artful. The colorful kaftan patterned in pink and orange suits her personality.
“Good morning, Alexander.”
She is also the only person who calls me that and I let her because it reminds me of my mother in some ways. “Morning, Lois.” I stop and pick up the latest picture to grace her desk. “Helen had the baby then?”
Her face lights up from some inner glow and the love and pride on her face makes me smile despite the upcoming meeting with Len, my manager, that is about to happen.
“She did. Eighteen hours of labor and that kid had a head the size of a watermelon, but they are both doing well.”
I wince at the imagery. “Glad to hear it. He’s a good-looking kid.”
She looks at me over her glasses. “He is a she.”
“Oops.”
She waves a hand and laughs, and I feel relief wash through me. Lois is an angel unless you upset her, which I make a point never to do, but I’ve seen other stars try it and they quickly learn who the real power is in this place. You see, Lois works the reception area, but she’s also the money behind this agency.
“I’m just messing. All babies look the same and we love them anyway. That’s the point, isn’t it?”
I place the picture frame back on her desk and watch as she straightens it with pride. “I guess so.”
“Oh I forgot, I made you some of those blueberry scones you like. Pick them up before you leave.”
I move around the desk and wrap an arm around her small and delicate shoulders before dropping a kiss on her weathered cheek. “You spoil me. Thank you.”
She blushes and I love that about her, but she bats me away with a dry laugh.
“Oh, away with you. Someone has to look after you.”
“You’re the only one for me, Lois.”
She rolls her eyes but grins at me and it’s easy to see what a knockout she was in her day and still is for a woman of her age. “Shoo, Len is expecting you and I have work to do.”
