“No,” I laugh. “That’s just it – he’s very careful, consummate about what he does say. He seems to ask questions, more than answer them – don’t worry I got plenty off him –” I add at her worried expression. “It’s just …” I pause searching for the right words. The ones that have been evading me ever since I was with him. “I guess he just … might act the dirty rock boy, out there.” I gesture. “But I feel that behind the scenes he’s very much the man – the one who is very much in charge of what happens – as it’s been said before by the few people who have interviewed him.”
“So you think the women, the partying, it’s all an act?”
I shake my head. “No. I just think there are two-sides to Jake. The young guy who is very much living the lifestyle he is privilege too, but then there’s the business Jake, the one who runs his label and his band exactly the way he wants to and is very good at it.”
“So the incident in Japan…”
“Expected I’d say. His best friend and business partner had just died. Add that on top of the quick rise to fame he had, the money he has – my guess is it just all got a little too much, and unfortunately his fall was in front of thousands of people.”
Wow, I’m actually sounding smart here. A first for me.
“Hmm.” Vicky leans back in her chair. “So is he as hot as hell in the flesh as he looks on the TV?” She grins and I know the serious, journalistic aspect of our conversation is gone for now.
“He’s … a little good-looking, sure.” I downplay.
“A little good-looking,” she scoffs. “Yeah I’m sure that’s all he is.” She purses her lips, like something has just occurred to her. “And he’s asked you out for dinner tonight?”
I was wondering when she was going to mention that. Nothing slips by her. Ever the journalist.
“He did. Just a catch up.” I shuffle forward in my seat, getting ready to make an exit.
“I bet he’s after a thorough catch up with you.”
“Vicky!” I screech, then cover my mouth with my hand, releasing how loud that was. “I can’t believe you just said that,” I add in a quieter voice, peeling my hand off my mouth.
“What?” she laughs. “Look at you– you have a face and ass to die for. And him? Well, good grief. He’s so delicious I could serve him up on toast and eat him … and he is well known for his antics.”
“Yeah, well I’m not, and I do have a boyfriend remember?” I’m a little snippy, but it doesn’t seem to faze her.
“Yes, well we’re all as clean as whistles my darling until men like him come along and dirty us right up.”
She winks at me, grinning, relieving the tension I’m feeling.
“You’re incurable.” I shake my head humorously at her, rolling my eyes. “And I don’t see him that way.”
She presses her lips together and narrows her heavy lined eyes at me, suspiciously at me. “Yeah, sure you don’t.”
“And how did the lovely William take the news of dinner with Jake? You did tell him, didn’t you?” She raises her perfectly, plucked eyebrow. I sometime get the impression Vicky doesn’t like Will.
“Of course I did.” I sound defensive, I’ve no clue why.
“And?”
“Nothing. He was fine with it.” After a while.
She lets out a little laugh. “He was fine with you going out to dinner with the most beautiful, prolific womanising rock star in the world?”
I press my lips together and let out my breath through my nose. “He was fine with it, because there’s nothing in it. It’s just two old friends having dinner and nothing more.”
“If you say so my darling.” She brushes her hand through her hair.
“It is,” I chipper. “Now if you’re finished grilling me, I’m going to do the work you pay me to do. I’ll type up a draft of the interview and have it ready for you to look over by the end of the day.”
“That would be fabulous, thank you, my darling.” She leans back in her chair and brushes her hair off her face.
Giving her a light smile, I turn and sashay my way out of her office, away from her quizzical stare, because she’s a little closer to the truth on everything then I would care to admit. Jake, my reaction to seeing him after all these years, and Will’s reaction to the news that I’m seeing him tonight. But mostly, how I feel about seeing Jake tonight. And the only word I can think to describe it is … exhilarated.
Chapter Six
Okay. I’m having dinner with Jake.
Jake Wethers.
But he’s still just Jake … the same Jake I knew.
No he’s not – he’s now rock god Jake.
Oh crap.
I’ve been ready for the past half an hour and have been pacing around my flat ever since. I’ve had a large glass of wine already and am starting on my second, trying to calm my nerves.
And Simone’s not here to help either. She was so gutted when I told her Jake was coming to the flat to pick me up. She’s working late on a project for this new client of hers and couldn’t get out of it.
Maybe it’s best she’s not here, I’m freaking out as it is. Simone is a big Mighty Storm fan, so she’d be freaking too, making me worse.
What on earth am I going to talk to him about tonight?