Page 63 of My Rock Star Neighbor
“I’m not sure about feeding each other, to be honest, but I can give it a try,” she says.“Isn’t it a little childish?”She cuts off a bite of her asparagus-gruyere tart.“Here.”She reaches over to feed me.
I dart a glance over to Nemesis’s table.“Nemesis looks transfixed.”
“But maybe that’s because she thinks it’s cheesy.”
“It is cheesy.”I reach over with my thumb and wipe a bit of cheese from Maddie’s mouth.Her lips part.I trace her lips so lightly and so gently with the other side of my thumb.
I lick the cheese off my thumb.Our glances meet and hold, and the air feels heavy between us.I reach out again, unable to stop myself.I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
I have to pull back.And it feels like we’re being stared at—either by Nemesis or the paparazzi.This isn’t what I want—my love life dissected or offered up to the press for their entertainment.Not for Maddie.She has the softest hazel-brown eyes.They’ll tear her apart.
What if she gets that bitter edge my mom has whenever she talks about my dad?
A black extended camera lens from behind one of the potted shrubs aimed at us snares my corner vision.
I pull back.This is a three-month fake-dating gig.That’s all it can ever be.
Chapter seventeen
Nick
Thisisabadidea.It seemed brilliant when I asked Maddie to meet my mom—the perfect excuse to ensure I’m with Maddie and can protect her.But after the Ciel dinner, I should have thought of an excuse as to why Maddie couldn’t come, even though she seemed excited to go.But how could I disinvite her suddenly?She’d inevitably find out I’d visited my mom without her.
I didn’t think this through—on so many levels.My relationship with Christina shifted after she met my mom.My mom couldn’t stop pointing out the negatives of dating a rock musician.Christina probably conceived the idea for her article that weekend.I’m not sure if my mom is actively trying to undermine my dating life, or if she just has so much resentment against my father that she can’t keep it in.
I merge into the next lane as we head upstate in the band’s van.
“Was Sarah friendlier to you at work this week?”I ask.Hopefully she’s not trying to curry favor with Maddie now.
“No,” Maddie says.“Do you worry about that?”
“Yes,” I say.
“That’s terrible,” she says simply.
“It is.I’m not famous yet, but even so, people can be so obvious that they are befriending me because maybe I’ll become famous and be good to know.”
“I don’t think I have to worry about that happening with Sarah,” she says.“But I was out of the office most of the week following Deputy Commissioner Galliano.It all seemed aboveboard, though.He attended one tenant meeting where they complained about repairs, but interestingly, other tenants vouched for him that he would fix everything.I also went to jujitsu classes every morning this week.I’m so sore.”
“You followed him?Did he know?”The inspector said this wasn’t safe, and she’s following the main suspect around!At least she’s practicing her jujitsu.
“I don’t think so.I borrowed some wigs from my friend’s uncle.He works in theater, so he has everything.He also gave me eyeglasses and stuffing to change my body shape, etcetera.When you are famous, I can introduce you.”
“This sounds like something I must see.Do you have a photo?”
“No,” she says.
“Oh, I definitely want to go on an undercover mission with you.”It makes me feel better if Maddie is dressed as someone else.Maybe she’s not in danger, then.“Can I come on the next one?”
“Sure,” Maddie says.“Does that mean I get to be in charge of whatever you’re going to wear?”She’s wearing her evil grin.
“Be kind,” I say.“We’re almost there.”
We exit the highway.
“I’m sorry I’m pulling you away from your investigation.”And there was the perfect excuse that I was an idiot not to use.
“A walk in the woods will be good,” Maddie says.“At this point, I’m not getting anywhere with what I’m doing, and I need to step away.Some of my best ideas come when I’m walking, so I’m looking forward to our hike.”
