An hour later, I sit at my new desk staring at Noel’s contact information on the computer screen. What am I going to say to him? I mean, do I thank him for basically getting me this job or do I play it cool and pretend his phone call didn’t pull any strings. Either way, I have to call him. Talking with Noel is the only way I can get things rolling. The only thing I know about the charity he’s trying to establish is, it’s for children’s literacy.

I rub my forehead vigorously. It’s just a stupid phone call. How hard can it be?

The nerves in my hand twitch when I pick up the phone. Each number punch makes my stomach knot a little tighter and when it rings my skin grows cold and clammy.

Noel answers on the fourth ring. “Yeah?”

I tuck my hair behind my ear. “Noel? Hi. It’s Lanie Vance and I’m—”

He chuckles. “Lane Vance, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

I squeeze the phone tighter in my hand. “Actually, I was calling on behalf of Center Stage Marketing. I’ve been assigned to your account and I wanted to touch base with you.”

“Touch base?” He laughs. “Listen to you sounding all professional. If you really want to touch my base, that can be arranged. All you have to do is ask.”

The nerve of this guy is unbelievable. “Ugh. You’re a real asshole, you know that?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do know that. Thanks to you. You made that quite clear last time I saw you.”

Play nice, Lanie. Remember?

This is harder than I thought. The sweet, sensitive guy I knew once is long gone. This guy is self-centered and egotistical. It’s taking every inch of my self control not to tell him to shove this job right up his leather covered ass.

I take a deep breath and remember what Aubrey said about smiling. “You’re right, and I’m…I’m sorry about that. I was out of line, even just a moment ago. There’s no reason two old friends can’t get along and work together on a project.”

Noel’s silent for a moment and then he says, “Friend, huh? Ouch.”

I shake my head. There’s no way we are going down that old road. “You know what I mean.”

“You’re right, Lane. We should be friends, but there’s only one problem with that scenario.”

“And what would that be?” I bite my lip, hating the fact that I’m thinking of how sexy he probably looks right now. I picture him spread out on a bed, shirtless, still exhausted from the night before.

“I can’t be friends with someone who hates me.” The sexy vision of him bursts and I’m thrown back into reality.

“Noel…I never said I hated you.”

“You didn’t have to. I saw it all over your face,” he says with a sharp tone.

“That wasn’t hate, Noel.”

“Then what was it?”

“Disgust,” I say instantly. “Don’t you have any self-respect? You just sleep with any slut that throws herself your way? That’s not the Noel I know.”

“It’s not like that,” he growls, frustrated into the phone. “Forget it. I don’t have to explain anything to you.”

“You know what? You’re right. You don’t owe me any explanations. Who you sleep with is none of my business. However, my business with you is now professional and I really need some details about this charity. My job is riding on how well it turns out, so you’ve got to give me something.”

“So you got the job?” He sounds surprised and even a little excited.

I debate on which tactic to use, but I decide to play it straight with him. Noel’s not stupid. “Yes, actually, thanks to you. That phone call you made to Diana Swagger made it possible.”

“Good.” I can hear a smile in his voice. “It’s the least I could do after blowing you off the way I did.”

“Well, thank you for that. This job means a lot to me.”

“I know it does. That’s why I felt like a total tool and had to make it right.”

I chew on the inside of my jaw. It is kind of sweet that he cared enough about my feelings to make that phone call. Maybe he’s not the complete dirtball I thought. This might work. A small glimmer of hope shines in my heart for a split second that we may be able to overcome our past and keep things civil.

“So…Noel, about this charity”—I clear my throat—“what is your vision for the project?”

Noel yawns into the phone, and my feathers ruffle. I’m boring all of the sudden? Two minutes ago we were fighting. I shake my head. I’ll never get a good read on this guy with his crazy up and down signals.

“Lane, these business calls tend to put me asleep. I’d much rather see you in person to discuss all of this. Maybe you can wear something skimpy to keep me focused on you and what you’re saying.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever, Noel.” Before I let the severely rude things on my mind fly from my mouth I take a deep breath and remind myself, yet again, that I need to get him to like me. I soften my voice and say, “That’s kind of impossible. It’s not like you’re here, right around the corner in New York.”

“Actually, I am in New York.”

My heart does a double thump against my ribs. “You—you are?”

“Yep. Did some press last night for our next album, and I decided to stay a couple nights and check out the local scene. So, what do you say to dinner with me tonight?”