Page 4 of Nothing to No One

Being in a restricted space with such a famous, and attractive, man hadn’t been on her night’s itinerary.

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking up at the ceiling. “If this is a hotel or city-wide problem, we could be here for a while.” In the face of his honest contrition, her laughter was completely inappropriate. She smiled but was quick to lift her hand to her throat, somehow damming it. “Are you laughing?”

“No,” she said, clearing her throat and shaking her head. “No!”

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing, I just…” No point denying her amusement. “You’re Roman Lowe…” That wasn’t much of an explanation. “Action star, right? I sort of expect you to pull out some gadget or start scaling the walls… maybe shoot your way out.” When he didn’t smile, she panicked. Had she offended him? This was real life, not a TV show. It wasn’t the time for dumb jokes either.“I’m sorry, Mr. Lowe, that wasn’t funny, I… I didn’t mean to say that…”

The dazzling power of his unexpected smile immobilized her. The gleam was impressive given the lack of light and the ten feet between them.

“Don’t think I’m insured to perform stunts at charity events.”

Valid point. A guy like him was valuable… What fate would befall her if something happened to him?

“Well, I guess if I was going to get trapped with anyone, a superstar is a great choice. Someone will come looking for you, won’t they?”

The smile faded as he slid his hands in his pockets.

“Won’t someone come looking for you?” he asked. “Should I know your face?”

“Oh no, I’m not famous like you.”

Keeping up with the latest happenings must be difficult for actors and crews given they worked such long hours.

“I work for Brooker, part of the event management group.”

“That organized tonight?”

She nodded. “I haven’t worked for them for long… and if the power in the building is down, they’ll have other things to worry about.”

“Then I guess we better get comfortable,” he said, nodding at her side. “What’s in the bag?”

The gift bag in her hand, right, yes.

Jumping to it, she hurried to him, arm extended. “It’s for you.”

“Me, huh?” From the bag, he produced a bottle of Scotch. “Thank God for small mercies.”

After tossing the box aside, he opened the bottle and held it toward her, being polite.

“You want me to…? Oh no, I’m working… and my employer paid for that.”

Someone did, and it wasn’t her. Not getting sloshed while she was on the clock was one of those unwritten rules that—actually, it probably was written somewhere on the paperwork she’d signed when joining the agency. Shame, a little liquid courage would go a long way.

“You can’t make me drink alone,” he said, urging it toward her. “What’s your name?”

“Bambi,” she said, curving her hand around the bottle. Before raising it to her lips, she pointed it at him, making eye contact for the first time. “And it’s been my name for the last twenty-five years, so believe me, I’ve heard all the jokes.”

Another smile. The lip of the bottle met her mouth, but she couldn’t drink with their eyes locked. Fixating on someone most people only ever saw on screen was odd. The power had a tractoring force, like it would if he was in some major blockbuster. Only this time, he was staring back.

Gravity begged her closer, while weak restraint told her it wasn’t a great idea. What would she do if she went over there? Embarrass herself, no doubt.

Whatever was churning in her gut didn’t feel like intimidation. She wasn’t starstruck. Whatever was in him, looking back at her, seemed curious. What an ego, why would he care about someone like her?

When it was impossible to delay anymore, she tipped the bottle and winced at the taste of the liquor. Swallowing was a fleeting victory as she coughed at its potency.

Lowe breathed out a laugh. “Not much of a drinker?” he asked, taking his turn.

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