One Last Time(25)

Kristin’s eyes fill with sadness, and I hate that I put it there.

Heather kept calling him Asshole as if it were his name, just Asshole. I’m assuming he’s a fucking tool, and I’m waiting for confirmation.

“Our working dinner is taking a turn . . .”

I smile. “I’m just wondering why, if you’re the best lay of some guy’s lifetime, your husband could walk away. You know sex is key to a healthy relationship. I figure either you’re lying about the good in bed part or your ex is the issue.”

Kristin covers her face with her hand. “It had nothing to do with that, and I’d totally be fine with you forgetting everything I’ve ever said since we met.”

“Doubtful.”

There’s nothing about last night I’m likely to forget.

She shifts in her seat. “You know, I’ve always wondered why someone hasn’t invented a magic pill that can make you forget things you don’t want to remember? Or give you the ability to eat any food you want and not gain weight. With all the smart people in the world, how has this not happened?”

I glance over at her and laugh. “I have no idea.”

“These are real-life issues. Oh!” Her voice shifts to excitement. “I love this song!”

Kristin turns up the radio and starts to hum softly. For a moment, it’s as if she forgets I’m here and belts out the lyrics. I’m stopped at the red light, and I can’t keep my eyes off her. She looks free, happy, and lost in the song. She sings louder and bobs her head.

The one thing Heather kept repeating is how broken Kristin is. I’ve yet to see that in her. All I see is someone who makes my heart race. I watch her letting go to the music, hoping the light never changes. I could stare at her like this all night. The song hits the chorus and as the note escapes, her eyes fly open, and she covers her mouth.

“You have a beautiful voice,” I say, wanting her to keep going.

She scoffs and then laughs at herself. “I’m such a dork. I can’t even.”

“You’re adorable.” I go for honesty because I doubt she’ll believe it anyway.

The light changes and I can’t see her reaction, but the sound of her groan causes me to grin. I like that I keep her slightly off-kilter.

“Why do I continue to embarrass myself with you? It’s like I forget to be normal.”

I pull into the parking lot of the restaurant, if I can call it that, and place my hand on her leg. “I like that you feel comfortable enough around me to sing. Not many people are that secure. They act like they think I want them to be.”

Kristin’s blue eyes meet mine. “I’m not usually like this,” she admits. “I’m the uptight one out of my friends.”

“Don’t be anyone else but who you are, Kristin. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who’s confident. Trust me.”

She clears her throat, and I watch the walls go up. “Ready to eat?”

I’ll let her win this one, but the game is far from over. “Sure.”





Chapter Ten





Kristin





Dinner is nothing like the beginning of our night or the damn car ride where I felt like pretending to be auditioning for The Voice. Thankfully, he hasn’t mentioned anything about either incident, and we’ve moved on to strictly interview conversation. Noah is in actor mode, and I’ve fallen into the reporter role. It is as if a switch has been flipped for both of us as soon as I pull out my notebook, which is fine by me.

“And what about any possible love interests?” I ask as I continue down my list. Noah is quiet long enough that I look up. “Noah?”

He wipes the ketchup off his chin and leans back. “I wasn’t prepared for that one.”

“Oh?” I question. “I figured that’s probably the most common question you get asked.”

Noah is definitely one of the most eligible bachelors in Hollywood. He’s attractive, smart, sexy, rich . . . did I mention sexy?

I’m surprised that isn’t the leading question on every reporter’s mind. I’ve left it for later because I felt like I’ve already done enough damage as it was. Might as well leave the juicy gossip questions until the end when I can run out and grab a cab if I have to.

“It is,” he clarifies. “I guess I wasn’t sure we were going to go there. I don’t want to lie to you, but at the same time, I’m not sure I should answer.”

“So, does that mean there is someone?” I try not to feel any sense of disappointment and fail miserably. A small part of me wants there to be no other woman. A larger part of me wants to not feel that way. I have no claim on him. I’m still married for fuck’s sake. Yet, I can’t help it.

Noah’s hand glides across the table, coming to a rest close enough to me that I could touch him. “It means I shouldn’t tell you, Kristin.”

My heart flutters at the way he says my name. “But you’re going to anyway?” I smile.

“I’ll say this part on the record, but only if you agree to go off the record after.”

I nod.

“I need you to say we’ll be off the record when I tap my fingers.”

“Okay, we’ll be off the record when you tap your fingers.”