Page 33 of Guarding the Singer

When he did, she relaxed a little.

"Okay, come and meet my other guests."

Selene felt relief flood through her veins.

She was glad that there were other people. This way, she could probably avoid questions about Mandy for a bit.

He put his hand on her back and walked toward the open door. "I hope you brought an appetite. Oswaldo has promised a meal of his best."

Selene was really happy, now. Cooper knew a whole slew of chefs, but she really did love Oswaldo's food. It was warm and comforting.

When they stepped into the room, Cooper guided her to the right first and gestured a hand out to start introductions.

"I'd like you to meet Sadie Patterson. Sadie this is-"

"Selene!"

Selene's jaw dropped as Sadie walked toward her.

"It's so good to meet you!"

"Meet me?" Selene knew she probably sounded like a star struck teen, it was true!

Well, except for the teen part.

Sadie paused for a moment when she was a step away. "Is it okay if I give you a hug?"

Selene nodded and a moment later she was wrapped up in Sadie's warm embrace.

Selene mirrored Sadie, hugging her back.

When the world-wide movie star stepped back, Selene was still stunned. "Cooper didn't say that you were coming to dinner." She looked down at her clothes, a simple outfit of mostly black. Boots. Jeans. Long-sleeved blouse. The coat that she'd taken off on the steps. That was black, too. Black helped her slip into the background especially at night in New York. When she was done taking a mental inventory of her really blah outfit, she looked at Cooper. "A little warning would have been nice. I could have worn something... nice."

"I think you look... amazing."

That voice.

Cooper stepped back, putting his hand out to touch her back, and turned her to the left.

It was just enough for her to see the other person in the room.

"William."

He smiled and her heart melted.

It just melted right there in her chest.

"What are you-" "It's so good to see you."

She took a step forward but stopped.

Sure, Sadie had hugged her but that was a kind of greeting that Selene had seen Sadie use on TV. Sadie was a hugger.

Selene was too with people she felt comfortable with. People she worked with. Most of her fans.

William set down his drink on the table and gestured to the chair beside his. "Do you want to have a seat?"

Her gaze moved around the room, touching down on Sadie and then Cooper.

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