Page 37 of One Last Time
Noah pushes his sleeves up and rests his arms on the table. “I know that even after Eli and Heather tried to warn me off, I couldn’t wait to pick you up for ourdate.”
“Working.Dinner.”
Maybe he has a memory condition and he doesn’t realize who Iam.
“Semantics.” Hesmirks.
Oh, Jesus. Heather’s texts now make sense. She knew he was interested or whatever. Why he would even consider wanting to get to know me isbaffling.
“Noah, you don’t know me. Trust me, I’m the last person you would ever want to think about. I’m going through what I can only assume will be a nasty divorce. I’m a single mom, who clearly can’t hold her liquor, and my job is to write gossip about you. Oh, and I can’t sing forshit.”
I figure it’s best to lay it allout.
I am the last person he should ever want todate.
Noah smirks before running his hand through his thick, dark hair. “Well, when you put it thatway. . .”
A short laugh escapes me, and I look at my hands. “With the never-ending line of actresses dying to get with you, it’s crazy that you even blink twice at a hot mess like me. I’m no onespecial.”
“Hey.” He waits for me to look up from my hands before he continues, “We’re all messes. If you think anyone in Hollywood has it together, you’re wrong. I haven’t had a girlfriend in almost fifteen years, and I’m not asking you to date me. Heather already threatened to castrate me if Itried.”
There’s my best friend I know andlove.
“But I won’t lie, I’m attracted to you, and if all we’ll ever be is friends . . . I’m okay withthat.”
His words wash over me, and I’m not sure how to respond. It’s clear that I’m attracted to him, but then again, any sane woman would be. He’s Adonis . . . oncrack.
And he’s one drug I’d like to be addictedto.
Instead of saying any of that, I lean forward, mimicking his position. “We can’t really be friends, can we? It’s my job to write stories about yourlife.”
He shrugs. “It means you’ll be around a lot. Lots of time to win youover.”
Okay, that’s going to be a problem I didn’t evenconsider.
“More like realizing you need a therapist more than Ido.”
Noah leans closer. “Maybe, or you’ll see I’m just a normalguy.”
I laugh. “Yes, normal. Because most guys are on the cover ofPeopleandGQ?”
“In myworld.”
“Yes, but I’m not from your world. I live in a world filled with bills, kids, an asshole ex, and a boss who thinks adding an emoji on every article gives itpizazz.”
He smiles while shaking his head. “She soundsinteresting.”
“You have no idea.” I sigh. “She’s making a meditation room so that we can find our center when we feel stressed. According to her, my aura is messed up, and she wants to cleanse it. Whatever the hell thatmeans.”
Noah extends his hand across the table and touches my wrist. “I’m not askingfor—”
“Kristin? Is that you?” I look up to see Scott’s assistant, Jillian standing there. Her eyes move from me to Noah, and I quickly pull my handback.
“Hi, Jill. Long time no see.” I stand and give her a hug. “This is Noah Frazier. I’m writing an article on him for my new job. Noah, this is Jillian Cruger, she’s my husb—ex-husband’sassistant.”
Her cheeks flush, and she giggles. “Of course. Nice to meet you. I’m a hugefan.”
Noah shakes her hand and gives her a smile I haven’t seen before. It’s forced and almost looks fake. “Thank you. It’s great to meetyou.”
