No Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-One

"Yes. You're my publicist. If you can behave yourself, we should be fine."

"If I can behave myself? Who was the one who attacked me last night on a rooftop?"

His smirk turns into a grin. "Go to lunch with me."

I can't help but smile too. "We'll see."

***

It's nearly eleven by the time I'm sorting through the things I brought with me to wear on this trip. I try each one on, taking an ample amount of time to study myself in the mirror. Usually, I'd throw something on, not caring whether it really fit or not.

Strangely though, today, I'm aware of my body. My curves. I'm drowning in everything I own, having lost weight recently. Stress might have something to do with it.

I unbutton my shirt a few buttons, hoping showing a bit of cleavage will make it look better, but it really doesn't.

I have no choice. I need some clothes.

***

I'm standing on a sidewalk in Beverly Hills, unsure of where to go to next. I look at the storefronts with dread, but I'm pulled from my discontentment when my phone buzzes.

I expect it to be Giovanni but it's not him. It's the name I dread to see.

I realize I didn't block him like I was supposed to. I stare at the name, waiting for the call to go to voicemail. As soon as it does, I find him in my contacts, swallowing as I do what I said I would. A screen comes up, asking if that's really what I want and I stare at it far longer than I should.

But with a flick of finality, I press confirm.

And it's done. Just like that.

He can't call me anymore. Not on my cell at least.

I'm sure Rebecca will get his wrath. I have to make sure I tell her to block his calls at work as well on Monday. I shake my head, unable to get out of my brain.

My phone rings then and I begin to fear I did something wrong and didn't actually block Dixon. But my fears are cast aside when Giovanni's name appears on the screen.

I pick it up, smiling. "Hello."

"Hi. I'm at your hotel, but you aren't here."

I chuckle. "Um, yeah, I just have some errands to do."

"Errands? In Los Angeles?"

"I'm in Beverly Hills."

I hear him laugh. "Oh, Jesus. I need to see this."

"You actually want to see me shop?"

"Absolutely. This should be immensely entertaining."

I roll my eyes, telling him where to find me.

"I'll be there in ten."

"Okay."

"Oh, Scarlett."

"Yeah?"

"Steer clear of anything purple."

I hang up on him.

***

I have only one blouse in my hand when Giovanni steps into the shop in the same cap he was wearing in the airport, concealing his trademark hair. However, the cap doesn't diminish his sex appeal. The minute he's inside, every person turns to watch him walk.