Page 117 of The Sun and Her Star

“Damn, I hate that I have to leave tonight,” he murmurs and brushes my hair off my forehead.

“Me, too.”

“But, babe, when I get back … This is happening.”

Finally

Apollo

This last week had been one headache after the other. Lucas was pissed that I’d kissed Graham in public. I told him I was sorry and that maybe he could start taking the blonde he’d been fucking to functions instead.

The gallery had become a hangout for people trying to take my picture. I closed it on Wednesday and hadn’t been back all week after someone tried to follow me inside.

The day after the event that started all this ruckus, Graham flew to LA for whatever meetings he had. He’d been gone all week.

Reena was preparing for a big hearing, and we only spoke in snatches.

So, I woke up on this otherwise perfectly beautiful Saturday morning and I was in a bad mood. When my doorbell chimed at eight-thirty, I’d stomped to the door ready to tell whoever it is to go away. I keep the chain in place and peer out into the hallway.

A man in a black suit and dark sunglasses stands on my doorstep. “Ms. Locklear, I’m Victor. Mr. Davis sent me to fetch you.”

“Riiiiiiight,” I drawl sarcastically. These people were obsessed with Graham and me. “I suppose I’m just supposed to come with you and you’ll take me to him,” I say.

“Yes, ma’am. I have instructions to ask you to wear something comfortable and that you don’t need anything but your phone.”

It’s too early for this shit.

“Listen, just go. And tell whoever you work for that if I see you around here again, I’ll call the cops.”

I slam the door in his face, turn the deadbolt and sit down at my dining room table and try to think how I’m going to get coffee without leaving the house.

My phone rings and I smile when I see my baby’s face on the screen. “Oh my God, please tell me you’re on your way home, some weirdo pretending to be a driver just tried to kidnap me and sell me,” I sigh lethargically.

“What?” He sounds incredulous.

I look at my toes and wiggle them. “Do you think I should get a pedicure today or wait until Wednesday when they’re not so busy?”

He chuckles. “You sound awfully chill for someone who just beat off a would-be kidnapper.”

I walk over to my couch and drop onto it. “I didn’t let him in. I slammed the door in his face. When are you coming back?”

“I’m calling because Victor called to say you told him you’d call the cops on him.” I sit up, immediately alert.

“He works for you? He’s legit?” I ask.

“Very. Get dressed. Don’t pack any other clothes. Bring your phoneandyour kindle. I’ll see you soon.” The line goes dead. I stare at the screen for a minute and then I squeal.

Oh my God. This is it!

We arefinallygoing to fuck.

I stand up and shimmy a little before I dash back to my door and open it.

“Hi, Victor,” I say to the man standing patiently in the doorway.

“Ma’am,” he says, smiling.

“I’m sorry. It’s early. I haven’t had coffee. I apologize.”

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