Page 38 of Sky Full of Stars

“No,” I tell him and laugh inwardly at him being referred to as a pretty boy. Sam looks at me and sees right through me.

“Well, he wants to join the gym, said he could be spending some time in New York and you recommended the place.”

What? I must look horrified cos he chuckles at me. “You don’t need the business, Sam,” I step over the lower rope and sit down on the edge of the ring. It starts bouncing, I glance back and see another fighter has got in and is sparring with Joey. He looks at me and grins, but the distraction gives his opponent an in and he gets a kick to the face.

“Serves you right,” Sam grumbles up at him. “Whatever this thing is,” Sam points between the ring, me and Adam. “Keep it outside the gym.”

“It isn’t a thing, Sam. Don’t sweat it.”

I look at the clock. I have at least another twenty minutes before I would normally leave but I don’t want to be here anymore. I ignore Adam and go the locker room to take a shower.

I hope he’s gone when I’m done. I don’t like to admit I’ve taken a little more care with my appearance than I usually would. There is no sign of him when I come out of the locker room and for a brief moment I’m disappointed he gave up so easily. When I walk out onto the street he’s standing in the doorway, a ball cap pulled down low and dark glasses covering his eyes. It isn’t much of a disguise but it seems to be working, with his gorgeous blue eyes covered and his dirty blonde hair under the cap, unless you were up close and personal, it would be hard to recognise him, but it probably won’t work for long.

“Jenna, let me buy you breakfast. Just give me that and if you still think I’m an asshole I’ll leave.” He bends a little so he is closer to my height. “Please?”

Chapter Thirteen

Against my better judgement I get in the car with him. I ignore him as I text Izzy to let her know I may be a little late, I don’t plan on spending any more time with him than necessary. The car is huge and has leather seats and a large GPS screen showing directions. The windows are tinted black to keep out prying eyes, it’s another show of who he is. I keep my gaze on the window to my side, fortunately he doesn’t try to talk.

When we pull up at a hotel I look at him with a hostile expression.

“It’s more private here.”

I give him a further dirty look. A valet opens the door for me and I climb out. Adam gives him the keys then walks with me inside. Someone greets him and tells him everything is set up. I look at him sideways, what does that mean? We follow the employee through a door into an empty restaurant. It’s the height of breakfast, why is this place empty?

We’re shown to a table at the back by the kitchen, as far away from the door and windows as we can get. Adam holds out a chair for me and I scowl at him. He doesn’t back away so I sit and watch him go around so he is opposite me. He doesn’t sit next to me even though the table is set for four.

A server brings a carafe of coffee then some pastries, and hot food.

“I didn’t know what you want so asked for a selection.”

“Is this you showing off your celebrity status? A booked-out restaurant and more food than I can ever eat?”

“It’s the easiest way to talk to you privately but somewhere you’ll feel comfortable.”

I huff as he pours us both a coffee. He holds up the sugar but I shake my head. He adds one to his. It’s getting awkward now.

“I have twenty minutes before I need to leave,” I tell him.

“Fair enough, I did only ask for five.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and look at him. His eyes are bluer than I remember. Despite how handsome his face is, he isn’t smiling, he looks sad.

“I don’t like doing this,” he glances around at the empty room. “But it’s the only way to protect you.”

“I don’t need protection.”

“I don’t want your privacy invaded and believe me, that’s what would happen if the press saw you with me. Regardless of the circumstances, they would make stuff up. That’s the story of my life.” He looks away, down at the food. He offers me something with a wave of his hand. I am hungry so I take a bagel. “Jenna, I didn’t want to lie to you.”

“Yet you did,” I snap.

He nods, he knows he did. “It wasn’t a conscious thing. In fact, telling you my real name when we first met was something I never do. I don’t know why I did it, well, that’s not completely true. You didn’t recognise me or didn’t seem to. It’s been a long time since I’ve come across a woman who didn’t know who I was or didn’t want something from me.”

I tilt my head, looking to see if he really means that. His expression is sincere. “It doesn’t explain what you were doing at the benefit. You said you were in Florida...then you…” I don’t want to mention the woman, that makes me get a lump in my throat which is hard to swallow.

He nods again. “That wasn’t what it looked like. You’ve probably looked me up, seen the pictures, the history with her? Yeah, we had a thing a while ago but that night, I hadn’t seen her for months. I didn’t want to see her, she set me up for publicity, she brought her own photographer. I know that is no excuse. It must have been horrible for you to see.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Adam.”

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