Will walks me back to my office building, giving me a long lingering kiss before leaving me.
I head through the lobby and take the stairs up. Our office is only on the second floor and the exercise is good for me.
Going bright red at the whistles from my colleagues, I’m guessing Vicky’s already told them about my interview with Jake. I quickly drop my bag at my desk and head straight to her office.
She’s deep in concentration reading something on her computer screen when I knock on her open door.
Her eyes brighten when she sees me and she smiles. “Sit down and tell me all about the dirty boy of rock.”
I frown at her. I know Jakes got a reputation but I don’t like her calling him that.
“He’s not so much a boy, Vicky.”
She raises her perfectly plucked eyebrow. “And what does that mean - pray tell?”
I feel like I’m about to have a chat with one of my girlfriends over cocktails about a guy I just went on a date with. Not about an interview I just did with a celebrity.
I love that I have this kind of relationship with Vicky.
I drop myself into her chair across from her desk. “It means that people seriously underestimate him, Vicky. Yes, he’s singer in a band and he sleeps with lots of women–”
“Did he say that?” She looks at me hopefully. Another exclusive in mind.
“No,” I laugh. “That’s just it – he’s very careful, consummate about what he does say. He seems to ask questions, more than answer them – don’t worry I got plenty off him –” I add at her worried expression. “It’s just …” I pause searching for the right words. The ones that have been evading me ever since I was with him. “I guess he just … might act the dirty rock boy, out there.” I gesture. “But I feel that behind the scenes he’s very much the man – the one who is very much in charge of what happens – as it’s been said before by the few people who have interviewed him.”
“So you think the women, the partying, it’s all an act?”
I shake my head. “No. I just think there are two-sides to Jake. The young guy who is very much living the lifestyle he is privilege too, but then there’s the business Jake, the one who runs his label and his band exactly the way he wants to and is very good at it.”
“So the incident in Japan…”
“Expected I’d say. His best friend and business partner had just died. Add that on top of the quick rise to fame he had, the money he has – my guess is it just all got a little too much, and unfortunately his fall was in front of thousands of people.”
Wow, I’m actually sounding smart here. A first for me.
“Hmm.” Vicky leans back in her chair. “So is he as hot as hell in the flesh as he looks on the TV?” She grins and I know the serious, journalistic aspect of our conversation is gone for now.
“He’s … a little good-looking, sure.” I downplay.
“A little good-looking,” she scoffs. “Yeah I’m sure that’s all he is.” She purses her lips, like something has just occurred to her. “And he’s asked you out for dinner tonight?”
I was wondering when she was going to mention that. Nothing slips by her. Ever the journalist.
“He did. Just a catch up.” I shuffle forward in my seat, getting ready to make an exit.
“I bet he’s after a thorough catch up with you.”
“Vicky!” I screech, then cover my mouth with my hand, releasing how loud that was. “I can’t believe you just said that,” I add in a quieter voice, peeling my hand off my mouth.
“What?” she laughs. “Look at you– you have a face and ass to die for. And him? Well, good grief. He’s so delicious I could serve him up on toast and eat him … and he is well known for his antics.”
“Yeah, well I’m not, and I do have a boyfriend remember?” I’m a little snippy, but it doesn’t seem to faze her.
“Yes, well we’re all as clean as whistles my darling until men like him come along and dirty us right up.”
She winks at me, grinning, relieving the tension I’m feeling.
“You’re incurable.” I shake my head humorously at her, rolling my eyes. “And I don’t see him that way.”
She presses her lips together and narrows her heavy lined eyes at me, suspiciously at me. “Yeah, sure you don’t.”
“And how did the lovely William take the news of dinner with Jake? You did tell him, didn’t you?” She raises her perfectly, plucked eyebrow. I sometime get the impression Vicky doesn’t like Will.
“Of course I did.” I sound defensive, I’ve no clue why.
“And?”
“Nothing. He was fine with it.” After a while.
She lets out a little laugh. “He was fine with you going out to dinner with the most beautiful, prolific womanising rock star in the world?”
I press my lips together and let out my breath through my nose. “He was fine with it, because there’s nothing in it. It’s just two old friends having dinner and nothing more.”