Too Complicated (The Lewis Cousins 2)

I could see that Chloe was trying not to laugh at my totally uncool reaction to seeing my favorite celebrity, but I couldn’t care in that moment. I was sure to kick myself over it later, though.

I brought my menu up again, just as Bradly was about to pass our table, then, when I felt the presence of our server coming back to the table, I lowered it.

Except, it wasn’t our server. It was Bradly, and he was smiling down at Chloe.

“Chloe Zahn, how lovely to see you again,” he said with a genuine, normal-guy smile.

My mouth dropped when Chloe stood and brought her cheek to his for an air kiss and said, “You too, Brad, how’s everything?”

“Can’t complain,” Brad replied, and I had to admit, if I was a woman who was wearing panties, he totally would have melted them. Chloe, however, seemed unaffected.

“Brad, this is my boyfriend, Reardon,” Chloe said, her introduction pulling me out of my stupor.

I stood up and held my hand out to the shorter, but much buffer, man.

“Reardon, Bradly played Cash in the movies based on Zoey’s books.”

The light bulb went off and everything clicked. I’d forgotten he’d played a small roll in those films.

“It’s great to meet you,” I said, trying to keep my tone cool and collected. Still, I couldn’t help but add, “I’m a big fan.”

“Thanks,” Bradly replied graciously. “I’m sure I’m a fan of yours as well. Anyone who can land an awesome lady like Chloe has got to be a cool guy.” His praise was still wrapping around me like a warm blanket, when he dropped my hand and kissed Chloe lightly on the cheek. “It was great seeing you again; we’ll have to make time to catch up. And wonderful meeting you, Reardon. Be good to this one … I’ll let you get back to it.”

And, just like that, he was gone, moving on into the restaurant while I stared after him, totally star-struck.

I turned my attention back to Chloe, who was already seated and grinning up at me, then lowered myself into my chair, somewhat dazed.

“Wow, what a cool guy.”

“He really is,” Chloe replied. “I met him a couple times on set, then at the premieres and stuff, and although his career has really taken off since then, he’s still the same good guy.”

“I hope I didn’t embarrass you,” I said, fidgeting with my fork as I thought about what I must look like to her sometimes. “I often react without thinking, and I know I can come off as a total dork.”

“Hey,” Chloe said softly, her hand covering mine as she looked at me sincerely. “You don’t embarrass me, not at all. I love that you get excited and aren’t afraid to show who you really are. You’ve been nothing but honest with me, and I find that really refreshing. Plus, the fact that you’re a gorgeous lawyer, who looks like a Viking but acts like a geek, is one of my favorite things about you. You’re unpredictable and never boring, and I like that.”

“You think I’m gorgeous?” I asked with a teasing grin, choosing to pick that out and ignore the Viking comment.

Chloe laughed and admitted, “Yes, you’re gorgeous.”

“And I have a great body?”

“Well, I didn’t say that, but, yes, you have a great body.”

“And, hilarious?”

“Now you’re just fishing for compliments.”

I laughed and said, “Nah, just trying to make sure you’re aware of all of my attributes.”

“Oh, I’m well aware.”

“Wow,” I said again, looking back to where Bradly had disappeared, then back at Chloe. “I still can’t believe that happened. You know what my favorite part was, though?”

“What?”

“When you introduced me as your boyfriend.”

Chloe’s cheeks reddened, but her lips turned up and she replied, “You know, that was my favorite part, too.”