He inclined his head. “That works. I made an early reservation at Serafina,” he said. “It’s pizza and Italian food. And I asked for a private booth so we won’t be mobbed by people.” He paused. “Unless you’d prefer to be out in the open?”
He spoke as if his question was more of an already made assumption, and she waved a hand, dismissing the idea. He had good reason to wonder if she’d want to be in the spotlight. There’d been a time when her goal was to see and be seen. But not anymore.
“God no,” she said. “So far I’ve been able to stay under the radar here, and I hope to keep it that way.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You do realize this hotel is known as a celebrity hangout?”
She nodded. “But it came highly recommended, and it’s in walking distance of the Highline, the Chelsea Market, the Whitney Museum, and the West Village. And the beds? Have you ever stayed here? I’ve never slept on a more comfortable mattress,” she said, trailing off as she caught how his eyes had darkened when she started talking about beds.
Which, now that she thought about it, had her recalling them and all the things they used to do on his large king mattress in LA. She shivered at the memory of his warm skin against hers, the scent of the aftershave he still wore, and the way his body had always commanded hers. Every part of her reacted, and she was grateful the navy top prevented him from noticing her hardened nipples.
She placed a hand on her hip, refocusing on their conversation about the hotel. “Point being, I really wanted to stay here for various reasons. So did you leave Bella in the Hamptons?” she asked, grasping for an easy change of subject.
“No. She’s at my apartment uptown.”
“You have a place in the city, too?” she asked, feigning surprise. No need to explain she’d called in favors to find out where he lived and where to find him. She was sure he already assumed as much.
He nodded. “Linc lives here. Chloe lives here, though now she’s way downtown with Beck. That’s her fiancé. Business brings me into the city since my agent is here, being bi-coastal and all. And the Hamptons is too long a trip to make for a brief business meeting.”
She laughed at that. “Yes. I made the round trip in one day. I can attest to that.” By the time she’d returned to Manhattan in her rented car, her legs had been numb.
“Besides, it’s too damned busy in the city,” he muttered.
She’d known he didn’t like loud noises and crowds. A walk was a bad idea. “I’m sorry. Would you rather just go to the restaurant, sit down, and talk there?”
He hesitated before nodding in agreement. “How about we just walk directly to the restaurant, and we can talk over an early dinner?”
“Compromise. I like it.” Not waiting for him to reply, she deliberately hooked her arm into his and took that first step.
They strode out of the hotel and onto Ninth Avenue. She engaged him in conversation, asking how his family was doing but saving the sensitive questions about his new sister for later. Whatever the story behind Aurora’s sudden appearance, Sasha was certain it was touchy and personal. And maybe not something Xander would want to discuss with her right now.
They arrived at the restaurant, and although it was early, a small group of people gathered around the hostess stand. Xander waited his turn and she stood beside him.
Just as he stepped up to the counter, Sasha heard her name and the whispers around her. She briefly closed her eyes and kept her gaze forward, hoping whoever had noticed her would be content with the sighting.
“Excuse me,” a female voice said, this time much closer. Sasha turned, and girls about her age suddenly surrounded her.
“It’s her,” one of them whispered to the other.
Sasha understood that these women and others like them, not to mention men, were her audience and had made her career. Assuming her I’m on personality, she smiled at them, making them feel important. “Hi!” she said.
“Oh my God. Nobody will believe this. Can we take pictures with you?” one of them asked.
“And can I get your autograph?” another one requested, her voice more of a squeal.
At that point, the girls had drawn a crowd, and for the next … Sasha wasn’t certain how long, she took requisite selfies, posed when other people snapped photos for each other, signed napkins, checks, and anything else the crowd came up with.
Finally, a manager stepped in and asked everyone to take their seats and allow her to enjoy her meal in peace. As everyone walked away, she let out a long breath, dropping her shoulders in relief.
She hadn’t experienced the odd sensation of someone watching her in that creepy way again, but this crush of people, though she was used to it, set her off inside, causing anxiety.
Then she looked up and saw Xander standing against a wall, arms folded over his chest, an unreadable look on his handsome face, and nerves twisted her stomach for an entirely different reason.
* * *
No sooner had Xander given his name for their reservation than he turned to find Sasha surrounded by people, pushing to get a piece of her. He watched her flash a winning smile at her fans as she signed and took pictures without complaining for a solid thirty minutes.
The sight reminded him of the frenzied type of life she lived and thrived on, the same kind of life and choices that had broken them up in the first place.
He stood back and waited, the way he would have waited for her had they stayed together. Except she’d never managed to show him she could love or prioritize him in the same way.
While he stood to the side, he couldn’t help but study her. Their time together used to be spent mostly in bed. Sexually they were completely compatible, which was the main reason he tried not to focus on how delectable she looked now in her outfit with the strip of bare skin that occasionally appeared when she’d move or lift her arms to sign something for a fan.
But the longer he watched her, the more he realized something about her was different. Beneath the act she put on for the crowd, there was a strain around her eyes and a tightness to that luscious pink-tinted mouth. And if he allowed himself to admit he looked close enough, a sadness he hadn’t expected.
Given how much she’d wanted this kind of fame, he was surprised, but it wasn’t his place to put an end to the circus. It did, however, make him wonder why she didn’t travel with security to prevent her from being overwhelmed.
Finally, a large man who Xander assumed was the manager strode over and announced it was time for everyone to let Sasha sit down and eat in peace. He sure as hell had taken his sweet time, Xander thought.
When the last of the fans finally walked away, Sasha let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping as she released the tension she’d obviously been holding.
Xander strode over and met her gaze. “You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m fine. I was just hoping to fly under the radar here. I’m not all made up, not dressed to stand out.” She shrugged, disappointment in her eyes. “Guess not.”
He narrowed his gaze. Did she really not see how she stood out in a crowd? “You don’t need all that artificial crap to be noticed.” He glanced at the manager, who was waiting to escort them to their table, and nodded.
The man led them to a secluded corner and gestured for them to sit. “I’m sorry about the crowd,” he said. “I was in the back on a call with a distributor or I would have handled things sooner.”