Chapter 5: Noah Is Stunned

If Noah's jaw could have hit the floor it would have. The person he'd assumed was just an airport worker was actually his worst nightmare.

He looked around frantically as if someone else was there pranking him, but no one was there. He was all alone in the cabin with a reporter. Not only was this woman a reporter, but she was also from one of the largest gossip rags on the planet. He'd done his best to avoid them, but here was one of them sitting next to him.

Could the day get any worse?

"You stole it?"

That wasn't the most important question, but it was the first one he could form.

"Borrowed. I'll give it back," she said.

As if that made her deception okay. "Borrowed?"

"I needed a scoop. I needed to get close to you or lose my job."

She finished her words and then bit her lower lip. He couldn't stop staring at it. She had nice lips, but he shouldn't be concentrating on that.

"Why not make an appointment with my publicist or my agent?"

"That would get me a sanitized version. My readers want the truth."

"About what?"

He was probably the least controversial celebrity on the planet. He loved his mother. He didn't have a dog and he contributed to causes all the time. He checked out every charity beforehand. He barely used social media and made sure none of his content could offend anyone. He'd done the best he could for his fans.

She seemed to be pondering her opportunity, but he wasn't having it.

"I want you off the plane."

"We're already rolling to take off," she said. "I can't get off the plane. The pilot closed the cockpit."

She crossed her arms as if this was a done deal. He groaned. "We can turn back."

"You want to face that angry mob?" she asked.

She had a point. One reporter was better than two. "I'm not having them fly you back."

Her eyes widened, then she shook her head a frown forming. "I'll get a ride somehow."

"You better return that uniform."

"I will, though it would be easier if you could fly me back."

"Not a chance. You got yourself into this. You can get yourself out."

"Will you answer some questions?"

He studied her. He had to admit that he liked her spunk. She hadn't hesitated when he'd pulled her onto the plane. She was standing her ground in getting an interview. Even if she'd connected with him on false pretenses, she did have some giant balls.

"I would like you off the plane, but that isn't going to happen."

"We're cleared for takeoff," the pilot said over the intercom. "We'll be landing in half an hour."

"Then it's settled. We have some time," she said. "We might as well take advantage of it."

"You are taking advantage of it. I just want to be away from reporters and such," Noah said.

But there was something about the twinkle in her eye that attracted him. He shouldn't be. She was trouble.

"Well, I'm here. You can set the record straight."

Uh. Oh. "What record?"

"Cassandra has been saying that you are a couple again. Your fans are horrified after the public breakup."

Noah didn't know where to start. "Cassandra is saying we're back together?"

"She said it to one of our reporters. I'm giving you a chance to set the record straight. Are you together?"

"No."

"Then why would she say that?" Hailey asked.

"I don't know, but Cassandra does nothing unless it benefits her."

That wasn't kind of him to say, but it was the truth. He had dealt with her schemes for too long. He wanted to back out of the movie, but he'd signed a contract. He'd pay a giant penalty if he didn't show up when they began filming.

"That's the first time anyone has said anything like that about Cassandra."

Noah shrugged. "It's the truth and I don't care if you print it."

He looked out the window as they paused at the end of the runway. He couldn't kick her off the plane now. He knew that. Maybe this was a rare opportunity to say his piece to the world.

"Wow, you're different than I thought you'd be," she said.

"How?"

"You have a reputation as a nice guy, aloof, but nice. You're being forthcoming with me."

"I have nothing to hide," he said. "I have no interest in Cassandra. The sooner she figures that out, the better."

"What have you done to persuade her?" Hailey asked.

Noah could settle into this topic. "I've been straight with her, but she doesn't want to hear it. What is it with you women?"

"Don't include me in that category," Hailey said. "I don't demand that someone bend to my whims."

"You just steal uniforms and jump on planes with strangers."

He looked down at her, but she wasn't backing down. She shrugged at his jab. "For the job."

He rubbed his chin and found whiskers he'd missed. Not missed. He hadn't shaved in days. Cassandra had once told him that they made him look rugged. He thought he was lazy.

"Ah, for the job. Have to pay the rent and buy food."

"You wouldn't know about that."

He sighed. He'd come from nothing. He'd made it big on his grit, so he couldn't fault Hailey for her determination. That's why he was still sitting here with her. He could go hide in the back somewhere, but he liked talking to her. She was young and fresh.

He was old and weary these days.

"I knew about it once upon a time. If you'd done your research you would know about that."

Some pink appeared on her cheeks and now he felt bad for embarrassing her. He shouldn't. She'd invaded his space and insisted on interviewing him. He should be angry. Instead, he was amused.

He wondered what was taking so long for them to get off the ground. He was tempted to knock on the cockpit door, but then again, he was also enjoying Hailey's company. Odd since he hadn't enjoyed anyone's company in a while.

Her phone dinged and she pulled it out of her pocket. A gasp came out of her.

"What?" he asked. "Is something wrong?"

She showed him her phone. "They think I'm your new girlfriend."