Three
“Thought
you'd be interested in this.” Brian tossed a newspaper down on the counter in
front of JC.
“You
know I don't read this trash, Brian,” JC scoffed. “This isn't even a real
newspaper.”
“Okay,
so it's less than truthful sometimes…but it's not exactly a tabloid.” Brian
tapped the front page with the stirrer from his coffee. “Looks like Lance Bass
will be in town for longer than he expected.”
“So?”
JC said, pushing the paper inside. “I have to inventory these books.”
“Just
telling you,” Brian mumbled, wandering over to a stack of easels that needed to
be arranged.
JC
waited until Brian was out of sight and pulled the newspaper back towards him.
He scanned the article quickly. Lance Bass would indeed be staying in town a
bit longer than originally thought. One of the supporting actors had quit the
movie, and all of his scenes needed to be reshot. The writer of the article
didn't know if Lance would be joined by his model boyfriend, who had been doing
some photo shoots in Australia. At the moment, Lance was staying alone at the
Montgomery Towers, the fanciest hotel in town.
JC
sighed as he tossed the paper into the trashcan by his feet. The last thing he
needed was to waste his time wondering about Lance Bass and what he was doing.
The doorbell tinkled and he looked up. “Can I help you?” JC asked as he stood.
“Yes…my
boss was in here the other day and lost something,” the man said, glancing
around the store. “Did you find a gold bracelet?”
JC
shook his head. “Nothing was turned in.”
“Dammit,”
the man muttered. “You're sure? This place looks like it hasn't been cleaned in
weeks.”
“It
was cleaned just last night, Sir,” JC almost snapped. “We deal in art and
books. There's a lot of packing material that ends up on the floor.”
“Right,”
the man said vaguely. He ran a hand through his dark hair.
“Can
I get your name or your boss' name? If we find anything, we could call you,” JC
suggested.
Before
the man could answer, the door opened again. “Never mind, Kevin, I found it at
the deli down the street,” Lance Bass said. He smiled at JC, who blushed
slightly. “Hello, again.”
“Hello,
Mr. Bass,” JC said politely, trying not to let his mouth fall open.
“My
mother really enjoyed the gifts,” Lance said. “Especially the print. She was
very impressed with my choice. I finally had to admit that I had nothing to do
with it.”
“I'm
glad she liked it,” JC said.
“Lance…we
have that thing,” Kevin said. “In fifteen minutes.”
“Right.”
Lance looked at JC and rolled his eyes. “Press stuff for the movie.”
“Ah,”
JC said simply. His eyes met Lance's, and neither seemed to want to look away.
“Well…enjoy your stay in our city. I hear you'll be around for a while.”
“Yes,
I will,” Lance said, nodding.
“Lance…”
Kevin almost whined. Lance sighed.
“Assistants,”
Lance said.
“I
understand,” JC said, casually motioning in Brian's direction. Lance laughed.
“Have
a nice day…” Lance paused.
“JC,”
JC said quickly. “Josh, actually, but everyone calls me JC.”
“Josh.
Thank you, Josh,” Lance said, then followed his assistant out the door.
JC
sat down limply. Two times in one week. It was almost surreal.
“Did
they buy something?” Brian asked, coming back around the corner.
“No…it
was Lance Bass and his assistant,” JC said weakly.
“Again?”
Brian gasped.
Before
JC could reply, the door opened and Lance Bass was back. JC stood quickly.
“Josh,” Lance said. “I wanted to ask you something.”
JC
gave Brian a look and he quickly disappeared. “Yes?”
“I
have some free time tonight…around seven. Would you like to stop by the hotel
for a drink?”
JC
stared for a moment. A million reasons why he should decline danced across his
brain. Lance had a boyfriend. Lance was a millionaire superstar. Lance was the
most beautiful person on the planet. “I'd…I'd like that.”
“Excellent.”
Lance beamed as he handed JC a card. “Just show this at the desk and they'll
bring you to the private elevator.”
“Should…should
I bring anything?”
“Just
yourself.” Lance waved over his shoulder as he left the shop.
