Page 8 of The Price of Fame

As they turned into her driveway, her mobile phone rang. She ignored it, but then it rang again.

“Answer it. That’s the second time it’s rung.”

“Are you sure?” He gave a nod and watched her rummage through her bag for it and then shove it against her ear. “Hello.”

He strained to hear who it was but knew almost instantly. “No takeout food before practice. Mmm, out. Um, no one, I’m just out. Fine, James, I’ll see you at five. Yep, bye.”

He gritted his teeth when she didn’t identify him and hung up. She smiled as she turned back to him. Kylie talked about him not noticing the women looking at him all the time, but she had no idea her friend was interested in her. If Markus went off the stares he’d received last night, and those James directed at Kylie, he would guess the guy was in love with her. “Am I intruding?”

Her nose scrunched up, and her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Do you have a relationship going on with James? Should I back off?”

Her eyes grew wide, and she chuckled. “No. You don’t have to worry about James. He’s my best friend. I would…” She gave a dramatic shiver. “We’re friends. That’s all. I would never sleep with him.” She shook her head and got out of the car. “If you can’t handle him being my friend, then I don’t…” Her eyes narrowed on him for a moment in an angry glare before she shook her head and continued. “Thanks for taking me to the Reptile Park. I had fun. Are you coming tonight?”

He debated on whether to go, but knew he had to phone his family. He’d discovered Sunday nights were best. “I can’t. Sunday I chat with my family. Thanks much for the great day. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.”

He could tell he’d said something wrong. She looked eager to leave. Markus wanted to pull her in and kiss her, but he didn’t want to push his luck. She nodded and ran to her door, unlocked it, and walked inside.

Great.

This was going to be harder than he’d thought. He’d never had to chase a woman before. They usually fell at his feet. It was one of the perks of being a famous singer.

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