Page 57 of Fame and Obsession

I keep scrubbing. “I need to tell you something before he gets here.”

He cocks an eyebrow. “Continue.”

Why didn’t I tell Julian to meet me somewhere else? I’m such a dumbass. But I’m a dumbass with two minutes and counting… “This guy, he’s not just some ordinary guy. He’s…well, he’s special. Shit, I don’t know how to tell you this.”

“You’re freaking me out, Pheebs.”

“It’s nothing bad or anything,” I assure him. “It’s just—”

“Damn it, baby doll! What’ve you done now?”

Irritation snaps my nerves. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Gage and I are so busy miscommunicating that we don’t hear the doorbell ring. We don’t see Parker get up to answer it, and we sure as hell don’t see Julian walk in.

“Uh, sorry for interrupting, but I’ve got a double-parked Corvette out front, Phoebe.”

Gage turns around, all the color draining from his face. “Holy shit! You’re Julian Bale! Julian Bale is in my living room!”

Julian smiles. “Gage, right?”

Gage about pisses himself. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you know my name?”

At least Julian has the decency to look sheepish. “It may have come up on the Google search when I looked Phoebe up.”

I’ve watched long enough. Stepping in between them, I fold my arms over my chest. “Gage, this is my stalker, Julian.”

Okay, not the most gracious of introductions, but old habits die hard, and I’m still pissed about the blog column.

“Baby doll...” Gage warns.

I hold up my hand. “Let me talk.”

He nods, and I continue. “I said he was kind of special, but I couldn’t get the rest of the words in my head out of my mouth.”

“You said I was special?” Julian smirks.

I slide a quick glance at him out of the corner of my eye. “It’s not a compliment.” As that cocky smirk fades, I turn my attention back to Gage. “I didn’t want to tell you beforehand because I didn’t think you’d believe me. I’m not sure I believe half of what he says anyway,” I say, hooking my chin in Julian’s direction.

“Your confidence astounds me,” Julian mutters.

And you confuse the hell out of me…

Tipping my head back, I roll my neck until I catch his eye. “I wasn’t talking to you. Besides, can you blame me? You’ve done nothing but trick me, push me against walls, and shove your tongue down my throat in public.”

Julian leans against the doorframe. “I’m still waiting for the not talking to me part.”

He doesn’t get it. My picture in that column could ruin my life...or end it.

That’s when I make my decision.

“Go home, Julian,” I say quietly.

His amusement fades. What’s left is a look I haven’t seen before. He’s confused—undone. “We’re on official business, remember?”

“Our official business is all over Blogosphere Daily.”

Just as quickly as his guard drops, it slams back in place, that arrogant smirk plastering across his face. “You saw that too, huh? Great camera angle. I may frame it.”

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