Gretchen drew in a ragged breath. Suddenly, she wasn’t that hungry for cobbler anymore. The idea that she might be naked in front of him in the near future was an appetite killer.
“So, Julian,” one of the bridesmaids called across the table. “Are you guys ready for the bachelor party tonight?”
Julian sat up and flashed his charming smile at the others seated with them. “Absolutely. I’ve got a great night planned for the boys.”
One of the other women looked at her date with a warning glance. “Try to limit yourself to one lap dance, please.”
The man laughed. “Why? I’m not the one getting married tomorrow. You afraid I’ll be tempted by the goods?”
The brunette shook her head. “No, I’m worried you’ll stick your whole paycheck in her panties and come back to me broke.”
“Well, if I do, maybe Julian can help me out. I heard you made fifteen million for your last movie. Is that true?”
Gretchen felt Julian stiffen beside her. For the first time while they were together, he was the nervous one. He’d mentioned a few times about how people seemed to come to him with their hands out. This guy didn’t even know Julian, not really. It was veiled as a joke, but it wasn’t funny. She didn’t like seeing Julian react that way.
“And exactly how much money did you make last year?” she piped up before Julian could respond.
The man’s eyes grew wide at her sharp tone and he immediately held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry,” he said. “It was a joke. I mean, if I made that much money, I’d be shouting it from the rooftops.”
“And everyone, including the IRS and some guy you don’t even know at a rehearsal dinner, would be knocking on your front door looking for their piece.”
The large, burly groomsman seemed to disappear into himself. “I’m going to go get a drink from the bar,” he said, getting up and crossing the room. The other people turned to each other and started talking among themselves to avoid the awkward turn in the conversation.
“Rawr.” Julian leaned in and growled into her ear. “I didn’t know you were such a tiger.”
Gretchen chuckled. “Neither did I. But I couldn’t sit there and say nothing. Just because you’re a public figure doesn’t mean it’s any of his business how much you make.”
Julian smiled. “It isn’t as exciting as it sounds anyway. I mean, I have plenty, don’t get me wrong, but the bigger the life, the bigger the expenses. The mortgage on my house in Beverly Hills is nearly thirty thousand a month.”
Gretchen nearly choked on her sip of wine. “That’s insane.”
“That’s California real estate for you. Add in the ridiculous property taxes and insurance, security, staff...it adds up. Uncle Sam gets his whopping cut, then Ross, then my accountant.”
“Do I need to give this necklace back?”
“No, of course not. I wouldn’t live in a five-million-dollar house if I couldn’t afford to. Life is just on a different scale when you live this way, is all.”
Gretchen shook her head and reached into her purse to find her phone. It was getting late. As much as she was enjoying the dinner and curious to finish her interrupted conversation with Julian, she needed to get back and finish up the ballroom for tomorrow. “I’d better go.”
Julian pouted, the frown pulling at the corners of his full mouth. Gretchen wanted to kiss it away, but resisted. Instead, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You have fun with the boys tonight. Don’t let Murray get too hungover. Natalie hates it when the wedding party is teetering on their feet all day.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll walk you out.”
“No, no,” she insisted, pushing him back into his seat. “I can make it just fine. Your loyalty is to Murray tonight.”
Gretchen stood up, and he scooped her hand into his own. He brought it up to his lips, placing a searing kiss on the back of her hand. The heated tingle radiated up her whole arm, making her flush pink against the deep shades of purple fabric that made up her dress.
“I’ll see you soon,” he said, emphasizing the last word. That was the same word he’d used earlier when they spoke about their physical relationship.
She pulled her hand away and tried to cover her reaction with a smile. “Okay,” she said. “Good night.”
Gretchen gave a parting wave to Murray and Kelly before slipping out. It wasn’t until she stepped out that she realized they’d all come in the limo van, including Bree. With a shake of her head, she called a cab and waited patiently outside for it to arrive.