Seeing Stars (The Celebrity 1)

“Leave.”

My gaze raised slowly from the table to meet his face, his expression anything but disgusted and angry like I had imagined. He honestly looked hurt, which confused my heart and made it flip-flop inside my chest. This entire day had been filled with nothing but drama, and I hated drama. Which was ironic considering the business I was in.

“I said leave! Get out of here!” he shouted, and everyone in the restaurant turned to face our table. “And you can let your boss know that I wouldn’t sign with his company if it was the last agency on Earth.”

You could have heard a breath being sucked in, if anyone was breathing at all anymore, which I was certain they weren’t. Mortified, I grabbed my black clutch and scooted out of the booth, practically sprinting for the exit as I prayed I wouldn’t stumble in my three-inch heels. Heat flared in my entire body as dozens of eyes burned holes in the back of my head.

Only once I burst out of the restaurant doors and the cool evening air hit my face did I suck in a freeing breath.

I had a reprieve.

Little did I know how short that reprieve would prove to be.

Cameras flashed all around me as the paparazzi screamed my name and asked where Walker was. The fact that they knew my name eluded me in that instant as I struggled to see my own hand in front of my face, the bright flashes blinding me with each burst of unnatural light. I practically threw the valet my ticket, partly because I couldn’t see him, but also because I was so desperate to be anywhere but there.

How mortifying had this night been? Ugh. And all because my boss had threatened my job.

“Madison! Madison, wait!” Walker called out as he burst through the restaurant doors behind me. I turned to face him, but it was pointless. I couldn’t see a damn thing.

The paparazzi went nuts, shouting both Walker’s name and mine as flashes surrounded us.

“Just leave me alone, Walker,” I spat. “I’m sure you can find someone in there to take home tonight. Try the hostess. She looks easy.”

The men with the cameras all oohed and aahed at my comment before firing off their own questions and comments as Walker gritted his teeth.

“Aw, don’t be mad at him, honey.”

“Walker, what did you do to her?”

“Why are you fighting?”

“What did he do to you, sweet Madison, honey?”

“Madison Myers, look this way!”

“Did you meet her at your agent’s office?”

That particular question almost stopped me in my tracks. How did they possibly know exactly who I was and where I worked?

“She does work for your agent, right?”

“How long have you two been dating under the radar?”

“Does everyone in the office hate you, Madison?”

“I bet they’re all jealous!”

When the valet pulled my car up in front of the painted curb, I rushed toward the driver’s side as cameras continued to flash in my face. “Seriously?” I cried out. “I can’t see. Please.” I was practically begging, desperate to leave. This night couldn’t possibly get any worse.

“Leave her alone. Let her get in her fucking car!” Walker’s voice boomed at the group of celebrity stalkers, and the ones nearest me took a step back.

I slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door just as my passenger door swung open and someone jumped inside. Glancing over, I saw Walker straightening his shirt as I tugged my seat belt around me.

“What the hell? Get out of my car!” I shouted.

“No. I’m not going anywhere,” he said stubbornly. “Now get us out of here and away from these cameras so I can talk to you.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I closed my eyes, willing his body to magically eject from my car.