Page 20 of My Rock Star Neighbor
Maddie is all about her career, but it’s not like I can help her with her career.And dating a musician doesn’t help her with her career.Maybe that’s why she said no.
9.The terms of this contract will remain confidential.
Maddie will want this as much as me.
10.Nick will do whatever Maddie wants for three months, as long as it is not a career conflict.
What if she wants me to move out?
I rub my brow.I can move out.It wouldn’t make sense to move out while we’re “dating,” though.Plus, I like living next to Maddie.I like the separate entrance through the deli if I ever feel like I’m being followed by a fan.I shouldn’t have played music past ten.It’s only that…well, I work best at night, like an owl—or bat.
But is that truly why she’s saying no?This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me.She’s always seemed reasonable.
There’s a knock on my door.Please let it be Maddie, reconsidering.
It’s José.
I open the door.
José hands me the bag filled with cartons of dumplings and makes himself at home, sitting right down at my table and reading the document on my laptop.
I pile the cartons of dumplings on my compact kitchen counter, my back to José so I don’t have to see his reaction.
“It’s not bad,” José says.“It’s a good starting point, anyway.”
“Really?”I ask.
“Especially clause ten.That conveys your total desperation.”
“Thanks…”
“Make it clear that this is a starting proposal and you’re open to any of her suggestions,” José says.“I don’t see how she can say no to this.”
Chapter seven
Maddie
Iignorethe“contract”that is currently burning a hole in my bag.Nick must have slipped an envelope under my door last night.I wish I’d read it in my apartment and left it at home, but I was sure it was going to be a “just kidding” note.Definitelynotafake-dating contract.
I stare at my work screen and focus on typing the next sentence in my article.
How can he not find another woman?I’m not even a good liar.
But based on clause ten, he’s clearly desperate.
I need more caffeine.All that tossing and turning last night translated into very little sleep, even though there wasn’t so much as a squeak from Nick’s apartment.I.Am.So.Tempted.And I do feel bad that this woman is destroying his chance.He’s worked so hard.And if it was a more simple—less public—request, I’d be glad to help him out as a friend.
I stare at the last sentence I typed.I figured out Pablos’ contract information, because he was recorded as the contractor on a repair ticket, but when I called him, he shot me down immediately, saying he had no interest in talking to a reporter, even off the record.I save the article I’m working on and get up to get a coffee.
How could I pretend to be Nick’s fake girlfriend?So many women would love to date Nick Devlin.It doesn’t need to be me.
I’m about to turn the corner and enter the office kitchen when I hear my name in conversation.
“Did you see thatVarietyarticle about Nick Devlin?Wasn’t that Maddie in his lap?”asks a voice I don’t recognize.
“Yes.But there’s no wayshe’sdating Nick Devlin,” says a voice I very much do recognize.Sarah.My main nemesis at the paper.She actually follows me around to scoop my stories.Then again, we’re competing for the same senior position, so there’s no love lost between us.
“She’s sitting in his lap,” the other woman says.
