Page 32 of One Weekend in Los Angeles

Despite his designer clothes, he crouched down to pet her. “Come on, pretty girl, let’s go outside.” He led her down the hall and let her out the sliding back door after turning on the lights so she could see the grass.

“I should go out and clean up after her.” I grabbed a bag from her leash.

“I’ll do it in the morning. Come out and see this though.”

I took his hand, and he led me out back. “Wow. How did I miss this last night?” The view from his backyard of the LA cityscape was gorgeous.

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around me from the back and nuzzling my neck. “Probably because I had you distracted.”

“Mm, it was a lovely distraction.” Turning in his arms, I marveled at how quickly I’d become comfortable enough to reach up and kiss him. My affectionate action seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

If this was my last night with him, I mused, then I’d make it count.

Chapter Eighteen

DEACON

I’d always been an early riser, but on Sunday morning I got up extra early, fighting a restlessness I couldn’t seem to shake. I then did what I always did if anxiety crept up—I sweated it out.

Although my LA house didn’t have the full gym facility my Australia home boasted, it did have a treadmill and a set of weights in one of the spare bedrooms. After running five miles and lifting with purpose, I sat on the bench, finally ready to be honest about the reason for my agitation.

I’d caught feelings for the woman currently in my bed. It made no sense given our timeframe. Perhaps the sensation was a side effect of us faking it. Grabbing my iPad, I queued up the first season of City of Angels, desperate to discover what it was that had me fascinated.

Two episodes in, I turned it off, pissed off at her selfish ex and jealous of how in love and supportive of him she’d been. Determined to ensure Andrea wasn’t screwed over by the prick, I dialed Lawrence, aware he was also an early riser.

“You know I’d only answer the phone for you at six something in the morning.”

“Appreciate it. I wanted to talk to you before you meet with Andrea later today.”

“And you’re whispering because she’s asleep beside you?”

What I both admired and found annoying about Lawrence was his candor. “She’s in the other room.” I proceeded to explain how I wanted to supplement his rate and for him to bill me directly.

He let out a long sigh. “I don’t keep secrets from my clients. Why not tell her that you’re footing the bill?”

“Because she won’t take the money. And without a shark, her ex will get more than he deserves.” I described the way Jeff had used their home equity to fund his bar.

“How about instead of billing you the difference, you do me a big favor?”

“Name it.” I preferred this idea.

“My daughter and her friends are huge fans. Sing a couple songs at her birthday party in October.”

My manager would have a complete fit over me agreeing to do a kid’s birthday party, but I didn’t care. “Consider it done. Send me the date, and we’ll make it happen.”

“If your girlfriend agrees to my representation, then be confident I’ll go for the jugular.”

I didn’t bother to correct his assumption about Andrea being my girlfriend. “Good.”

After hanging up, I took a quick shower and made breakfast, intending to bring it to her in bed. But she puttered out to the kitchen before I’d finished, wearing my robe and looking absolutely adorable with her messy bun and sleepy eyes. How easy was it to imagine more mornings like this?

“Hi, beautiful. Did I wake you?”

“Mm, the smell of bacon did.” She let Callie outside before heading over to nip a piece I’d placed on a paper towel.

“Guess I won’t ever make you choose between me and bacon.”

She laughed, licking her lips and going in for a kiss. “Smart man. Did you sleep all right?”