Page 114 of Anyone But the Superstar

One, because Felix is still working in California. And two, because there is no reason for the dark-brown-haired, darker-eyed celebrity with the sexy jawline – all details quickly coming into focus the more I blink – to be physically standing in the Moores’ New York City mansion.

Attempting to give me further reassurance, Felix gestures to himself. ‘It’s me, Johnny Douchebag.’

My laugh surprises me and I end up having a coughing fit while holding my eye, completing the whole hot-mess package I’ve got going on.

‘Should I get you some water?’

If I could roll my eyes, I would.

Reaching over to the faucet just a foot away, I turn on the tap, rinsing my face and taking a few cold sips of water. When I’ve cleaned off all the make-up and stalled as long as possible in an attempt to regroup, I turn off the water and reach for a?—

‘Here.’ Felix rips the hand towel off the hook and hands it to me.

Taking it, I pat my face dry while coming to terms with the fact that Felix Jones is very much standing in my bathroom now that my vision isn’t impeded by pain or make-up. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Your brothers invited me.’ He looks proud of this.

I lean to the side, searching for Chase and Thomas in my bedroom. No brothers. I frown at Felix. ‘They invited you to mybathroom?’ I speak slowly, trying to make sense of things as I talk.

‘No.’ He closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘To the house.’

‘Okay.’ I draw out the word, feeling very much not okay.

‘This is probably why they were so hell-bent on the gesture.’

‘Who’s they?’ I toss the towel on the counter. ‘What gesture?’

‘Agrandgesture.’

My heart thumps. ‘My brothers are forcing you to make a grand gesture?’

If the tile could crack and suck me under right now, that would be great.

‘No.’ Hands on my shoulders, he dips low to catch my eyes. ‘They werehelpingme think of a way to apologize. Iwantedto…’ He stops, as if rethinking his words. ‘Well, no, I didn’t want to do whattheysuggested.’

‘What’d they suggest?’

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. ‘For starters, a Times Square billboard.’ He steps back, triumphantly pointing at my expression. ‘See. You’dhatethat, wouldn’t you?’

I nod emphatically, just the thought of all those people knowing my business making me break out in a sweat.

Felix drops his hand, radiating self-satisfaction. ‘That’s why I agreed with Mary.’

‘My niece?’ I’m more confused by the minute.

‘Yes.’

By the look on his face, I can tell Mary added another man to her tally of those wrapped around her finger.

‘And she’s brilliant for someone being so enamored of your psychopath brother, Mike Hunt and King Dick.’

I snort, biting my lip to quell the echoing noise.

‘But now that I’m here—’ he looks around at the whitemarble bathroom, running a hand through his hair ‘—I’m realizing I don’t do so well without a script.’ His laugh suddenly unsure. ‘Maybe I should’ve written out the way to say I’m sorry before charging in here.’

‘Oh.’ Hope that I hadn’t known I had that his presence meant something more thanI’m sorrysqueezes at my chest. ‘So Amanda told you?’

‘Yes.’ He closes his eyes, as if replaying the moment. ‘I can’t tell you how sorry I am for blaming you.’