AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But you’re maybe a tenth of that. Adustingof cheddar.”
“Still, thanks for the heads-up. I never noticed.”
Eric sipped his wine, smiling. “We all have our tics. Like my breathing, I guess.”
I was about to tell him he wasn’t so bad either — his breathing waskindof loud, but not snuffling-pig loud — when an ear-splitting squeal sent me springing from my seat. My bruschetta went flying, raining tomato and basil. Two women around Mom’s age came charging toward us.
“Oh my God, Eric Harper!”
“And Lacey Hall!”
“Isit still Hall, or did you change it to Harper?”
I leaned on the trellis, dizzy, pulse racing. They’d popped out of nowhere like jack-in-the-boxes, all quiet, thensqueee!How long had they been there? I tried to remember what I’d been saying to Eric, my gaps and his breathing, and what before that? Had I said anything, done anything, to give us away?
“She’s still Hall,” said Eric. “And how about you guys?”
“I’m Denise, and she’s Sandy.”
“Oh my God, Eric Harper.” Sandy’s eyes fluttered shut and she fanned herself with a napkin. “You weresohot inLights. You’re even hotter in person. Sorry, that’s weird. Am I being a weirdo?”
I stood breathing deep, trying to rein in my nerves. They hadn’t heard anything. We hadn’t said anything bad. Nothing that would betray us if it wound up online.
Eric winked at Sandy. “Hey, it’s okay. You should’ve seen me when I met Angus Bright. I was maybe fifteen, and he was fresh offThe Thrill-Kill, and I completely forgot how to make words with my mouth. I tried to ask for his autograph, but he had this cool leather duster, so what I ended up saying was ‘Can I have your coat?’”
Denise and Sandy giggled, enthralled. I had to admit Eric was great with the fans, warm and open, not a hint of impatience. Me, I was more like Eric meeting his idol, all shy and awkward, tripping over my tongue.
“Could we sign something for you? Maybe your menus? Or hey, why don’t you squeeze in for a selfie?” Eric took my hand and tugged without warning, spinning me, shrieking, into his lap. My landing was soft, cuddled up to his chest, and he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. I shouldn’t have felt anything — he was still Eric — but a hot flush raced through me and my heart skipped a beat. When I gripped his arm for balance, his taut bicep rippled. It actuallyrippled, and I felt strangely… safe.
He stretched out his other arm, and Denise snuggled in. Sandy got her phone out and thrust her face up to mine. The shutter clicked and she frowned.
“Denise, you blinked.”
“Sorry. One more?”
Sandy counted down. “Three, two, one… mozzarella!” She snapped us again, and this time, she cheered. “Thanks, this is perfect. Laura willdie.”
Denise laughed. “Yeah, Laura’s our yoga instructor. She’s a die-hard Erotic. Completely obsessed.”
“Obsessed.Should I tag her?” Sandy was tapping away on her phone. “Yeah, I’m gonna tag her.”
I glanced at Eric. “Erotic?”
He didn’t quite blush, but he suppressed a pained grimace. “They’re like Beliebers. My more ardent fans.”
“Thanks so much again, you two. And congratulations.” Sandy tucked her phone away, buzzing with likes. “I have a sense for these things, and I can tell you’re for real. Some Hollywood marriages, you know it’s all surface, but the way you two look at each other, the way he holds you…” Her smile went all gooey, and she pressed her hand to her heart. “That man adores you. Trust me, he’s a keeper.”
“Okay, Sandy.” Denise grabbed her arm. “Come on, let’s let them get on with their dinner.”
“I was just telling Lacey—”
“Uh-huh, let’s go.”
The two of them bustled off, Sandy still waving. I realized I was leaning on Eric’s firm chest. Heat rushed up my neck and I scrambled off him. I bumped my hip on the table and he held me steady.
“Ouch. You okay?”
“Just stood up too fast.” All I could focus on was his hand on my hip. His strong, callused hand, hot through my thin dress. I shook him off me and sat down, weak-kneed.
