"Don't you have work?" I ask.

"I called out. I'm going to be here with you." She gives me a small smile.

"I love you, Jules." I turn to leave, but a thought occurs to me. "Do me a favor?"

"Of course, what is it sweetie?"

"Strip my bed and wash all the bedding?" I couldn't stand to have to smell him later when I'm wallowing in self-pity.

"Sure."

It was the worst session of my life. I was scattered, sad, and edgy. The couple was great, they were very much in love, sexy, and I know that I got some great shots, but I feel badly that it wasn't the fun session I usually provide, so I'll refund the session fee. It's the least I can do.

I change into khaki shorts and a blue tank top, thanking the Lord above for my best friend when I see my bed has been stripped, washed and remade. My muscles have been reminding me all morning of last night's activities, and with every turn and stretch my heart breaks just a little more.

Downstairs, I grab my iPhone to check messages and return calls, snag a tall glass of sweet tea from the fridge and join Jules on the back patio.

"How did it go?" she asks.

"It sucked," I reply with a shrug and sink into a red plushy chaise lounge.

"Sorry."

"I'll refund their money, but I think they'll still be happy with the photos." I turn my phone on and take a deep breath.

"Are you sure you want to check that?" Jules asks from the chaise beside me. Her eyes are closed and she's drinking in the sunshine.

"I have to see if any clients called. I'll ignore him." I refuse to say his name out loud.

I have seven missed calls, five voice mails and three texts waiting for me.

There is absolutely nothing waiting for me from Luke, and I can't help but be disappointed. He said he didn't need this, so does that mean that we're just over, just like that? Most likely, yes. Luke Williams can have anyone, why would he want me?

I turn the phone off, slam it on the table beside my drink and pull my knees up to my chin, rest my forehead and let the tears come full force.

"Oh, honey, don't cry." Jules climbs on my chaise with me and wraps her arms around me.

"I just feel so foolish," I mutter into her shoulder.

"You really didn't know who he is?"

"No. He looks a little different now." I reply defensively.

"Yeah, he does. He's aged well." Her smile is in her voice and I can't help but agree.

"He has." I sigh. "Of course, now I see it. I should have known as soon as he mugged me at the beach."

"Maybe you were just too surprised."

"I guess, but what excuse do I have after that? I spent almost two solid days with the man, Jules."

"Hey, stop beating yourself up. You have been enjoying a sweet, sexy man for two days. There's no crime in that."

"I told him so much. I told him about mom and dad, the rape, everything. I even showed him my studio."

Jules looks down at me with wide eyes. "And you had sex in your own bed."

"Don't remind me."

"How did he react to all of it?"

I sit up and take a sip of tea. "He seemed sad for me that mom and dad are gone. The rape infuriated him, and he wants to kill that slimeball. He was really cool about the studio, and said that it was sexy and I'm talented."

"Well, that all sounds encouraging."

"And last night was just..." how do I describe it? "Amazing and wonderful. He loves my curves and when he touches me, just... wow." I can't stop the smile on my lips and Jules smiles back.

"You made it with Luke Williams." And my smile is gone.

"I'm sorry, but give me five minutes to gush. Is he as hot naked in real life as he is in the movies?"

"He was naked in the movie?" I squeak.

"From behind, yeah. It's my favorite part."

Oh I definitely don't like it that all of America has seen Luke's ass.

"I think his ass is better in person." I reply.

"Oh, you're killing me!" Jules sounds fifteen and I giggle. "You know, he hasn't had a new movie since the last Nightwalker five years ago."

"Why?"

"I don't know." Jules shrugs and climbs back onto her chaise, taking a sip of my tea. "Rumor had it that some crazed fan broke into his house and hurt herself."

I gasp. "Was he hurt?"

"No, I don't think so. I don't think he was home. But who knows how much of the television tabloid stuff is true? I heard he just left LA and stopped acting. I had no idea he'd moved here."

"He's from here," I tell her. "His family lives around here."

"Oh, cool." Jules looks at me speculatively. "Are you sure you're done with him, Nat? You should have seen him after you ran out this morning."

"What did he do?"

"Well, he has quite a potty mouth, but then, so do you. He paced and swore, and I tried to stop him from running after you because I knew that wasn't going to be the way to smooth things over."

"No, I didn't want to see him."

"He was a mess. He's mad about you. I think you should get to know him, the real him, better and give it a chance." I frown at her. "Besides, I've never seen you act this way about a man before. Don't give up on this yet."

"He lied to me, and you know how I feel about that!"

"Oh, Natalie, think. Have you stopped to think that maybe it was a nice change for him to be around someone who didn't want anything from him? Who didn't recognize him and squeal and ask him stupid questions? He was just a normal guy hanging out with a normal girl. I wouldn't want to ruin that either."

I think hard about what Jules is saying, and yes, it makes sense.

"He still should have told me, at least yesterday." I am now sulking, and I don't care.

"You're right. Let him apologize. Maybe you'll get some good gifts out of the deal. Jewelry? Wine? Flowers?" She laughs when I stick my tongue out at her.

"Not today."

"Don't play games with him, Nat."

I scowl. "I'm not playing anything. He hurt my feelings. I just want to hang out with my best friend and do girl stuff today. Besides, when he stormed out of my room, he said he didn't need this, so I'm assuming he's no longer interested."

"Oh, he's interested," she waves the thought away with the flick of her wrist. "Wanna go shopping?" she asks hopefully.

"No. Ironically, I want to go to the movies. But nothing with Luke Williams in it."

"Okay, there's nothing with his name on it there anyway. I think we deserve extra butter on our popcorn."

"And no diet soda. And because you recognized him before I did, you're buying."

Jules pouts as we gather our things and get in the car, headed to the movies where I can lose myself in someone else's story for a few hours and spend time with the one person in this world that I trust completely.

Chapter Ten.

It's late when Jules and I get home. The high-paced action-adventure film we caught - with Vin Diesel no less a was exactly what I needed to escape reality for a few hours. And I ended up giving in to Jules to go shopping afterwards. How can I, Natalie Conner, pass up new shoes? They are my vice.

"Those red Louboutin's you found are to die for," Jules and I are pulling bags out of the back of my Lexus.

"I know. I love them. I don't know when I'll get to wear them, but I couldn't resist them." I reach for the bag of shoes and we head for the front door.

We stop abruptly when we see what's waiting on our doorstep. Dozens of bouquets of roses, in all different shapes, sizes and colors, are covering the porch, the front steps, every surface possible. The aroma is amazing. There must be fifty dozen roses here, minimum.

"Oh, Natalie." Jules eyes are wide, and her face gets all gooey, taking it all in.

I can't help but get just a little gooey with her.

"Wow." It's all I can say, and I'm just so relieved. Maybe it's not over? We walk up the steps, careful not to knock anything over, and I see an envelope taped to the door with my name written on it.

"Here!" Jules pulls it off and hands it to me. It's too dark to see well, so we step inside and drop our bags. Jules starts hauling bouquets in.

"Where should I put these?"

"Um... I don't know. Just put them throughout the house." Her smile is huge.

"He gets mad props for this, girl."

"Yeah, he does." I feel my own wide smile and stare down at the envelope and then carefully rip it open.

Dear Natalie, There is a rose here for every time I thought of you today. I wish you would talk to me and let me explain why I didn't tell you who I am, and I'm so deeply sorry that you had to find out from your friend. I have a lot of explaining to do, and I hope you give me a chance to make it up to you.

Please call me when you're ready to talk.

Yours, Luke Oh yes, he's charming. I tuck the note in my pocket and help Jules bring all of the flowers inside, scattering them all over the house. It looks like there's either going to be a funeral or a wedding in my living room in the morning, and it makes me giggle.

"See?" Jules smirks. "I told you he's crazy about you."

"Or just crazy," I reply laughing.

"You'd better call him and thank him."

"Yes, mom." I roll my eyes at her. We lock up after the final bouquet has been brought in and fussed over. "Here, take some of these up to your room."

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Jules tucks a bouquet under each arm and heads upstairs with her shopping conquests.

I grab my phone, which has stayed turned off all day, my new shoes and a gorgeous arrangement of perfect long stemmed red roses with pearls tucked into the petals and go up to my room. I kick my sandals off, set the vase on my bedside table, and put the new shoes in their new home in the closet. Going back to the flowers, I can't help but fuss over them and bury my nose in a soft, fragrant bloom. I notice another note, tucked in the stems and pull it out, sitting on the bed as I read.

These reminded me of your gorgeous long legs and delicious red lips. And one day, I'd love to see you dressed in nothing but pearls.

Oh my. Is this what it feels like to be romanced? I wouldn't know, but I think I like it. And it occurs to me that he's been romancing me all along; the delicious dinner at his house, cuddling on his deck watching the sunset, our amazing picnic lunch yesterday. He was right when he said that he'd made love to me last night. Sex has never been that intimate for me.

But he did lie, even if it was by omission, and that's a deal breaker for me.

I decide to give him a chance to explain. I'll go to his house tomorrow and hear him out. I already miss him; his touch, his smile, his belly laugh, the feel of that soft blond hair in my fingers. I desperately want something good to happen with this man, and maybe that's what scares me most of all, even more than his celebrity status and the fact that he could have any skinny little glamorous woman on the planet.

If things go too much further, he could hurt me.

But the thought of not seeing him again makes my chest ache.

I pull my phone and the front door letter out of my pocket. I fire up the phone and impatiently wait for it to wake up.

Three missed calls, two voice mail and two texts. Nothing from Luke.

Both voice mails are from clients, so I save those and remind myself to call them and the four from this morning back tomorrow.

I scroll down to Luke's number and hit 'call'".