I don’t know how long we stayed like that. All I remember was my eyes fluttering shut after a small eternity, my last waking thought that this was the best day of my life, and that I never wanted Jared to let go of me, no matter what.
Chapter 24
I woke up alone on the bed. Jared was standing by the window with his sunglasses on, looking out at the early morning light. At the rustle of my sheets, he turned and smiled at me.
“Good morning,” he said.
I returned the smile. “I could get used to you saying that to me every day.”
“Plan on it.” He ran his fingers through his tousled hair. “I have to go to the studio in a few minutes. You want to come?”
The question took me by surprise. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and yawned. “No. I wouldn’t fit in. Go do what you need to do. I’ll watch it on TV.”
“Shouldn’t take too long. There’s a format these things follow. They introduce me as if I just dropped by the show, we talk about nothing, I play a song, we wrap it up, and I leave. Usually lasts a quarter hour or less.”
I nodded. “You do a lot of these?”
“The record company sets them up every two or three weeks to keep my name in front of people. When they stop, you know your star’s fading.”
“Seems like yours is just starting to rise.”
“It’s a weird business. But I think this new album will do well. I wrote all the songs, and there are a few surefire hits.” He smirked. “Everyone’s excited.”
“I liked the ones I heard.” I stretched and checked with my fingers that my hair was covering my neck. “Then again, I have a feeling you’d be amazing at anything you tried.”
He shrugged at the compliment. “It kills time. And I have an excess of that.” He glanced at his phone. “Speaking of which, I need to get moving. You should get a massage or something while I’m gone. They have a world-class spa here.”
I remembered his hands on my shoulders yesterday and nodded. “I may do that. Although I don’t expect them to be able to compete with you. If you ever decide to throw in the towel on the music thing, I know what you can do next…”
Jared chuckled and moved to the bed. His lips grazed mine and I inhaled his scent, as intoxicating as a shot of alcohol. A small cry escaped the back of my throat and he stepped back. “Probably a good thing I have to go,” he said.
“That depends on who you ask.”
When Jared left, I used the bathroom and then ordered breakfast from room service. I tried to check my cell for messages, but the battery was dead. I cursed under my breath and made a mental note to get a charger so I could call the school and tell them an emergency had come up. A knock at the door a few minutes later announced that my eggs and coffee had arrived, and after the server carried in a tray and set it on the table, I settled into one of the overstuffed chairs to eat and watch Jared on the morning show.
The hosts, two gorgeous women and a middle-aged man with a friendly face, welcomed the audience back from break and launched into their bit.
“Everyone, we have a special surprise this morning. One of the hottest singers in music just dropped into the studio, and he agreed to chat for a few minutes! Maybe if we twist his arm, he’ll even sing us one of his songs?” The audience cheered on cue, and one of the women stood and looked to the side of the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, the one, the only…Jared!”
The crowd went nuts, and I rolled my eyes and sipped my coffee as Jared strode in from off camera and waved at the audience, his grin electric. More squeals and female shrieks of adoration echoed from the television, and I pushed the last of my eggs away and set my fork down, the better to enjoy Jared’s performance.
The hosts welcomed him and he took a seat where they indicated.
“Well, Jared! This is a thrill! You’ve been busy, haven’t you?” one of the hostesses gushed. I instantly hated her when she slid closer to him.
“You know the saying. Idle hands,” he said with a grin.
“You’re off the road now and working on a new album, right?” the other hostess asked.
Jared nodded. “That’s right. Should be out in about six months, give or take.”
“Millions of fans can hardly wait. And I’m one of your biggest,” the first hostess said.
Jared offered the viewers an aw, shucks smile. There was no denying that the camera loved him.
“And, Jared,” the male host cut in, “is it true that you’re starring in a movie?”
He nodded again. “That’s right. We’re filming as we speak.”
“What’s that like?” the second hostess asked.
“It’s a real thrill. My co-stars are awesome to work with, and the director’s a genius.”
“Can you give us a hint as to what it’s about?”
Jared shrugged. “It’s a romantic comedy. Boy meets girl and BFF. Hilarity ensues.”
The first hostess gave a completely fake laugh that sounded like a donkey braying. “You’re so funny, Jared! I’m sure it’ll be a huge hit. I’ll be first in line – unless you want to invite me to an advance screening,” she said with a wink. The audience woohooed at the obvious innuendo, and my dislike of the woman ratcheted up several notches. If she was acting, she deserved
