They strode out of the hotel and onto Ninth Avenue. She engaged him in conversation, asking how his family was doing but saving the sensitive questions about his new sister for later. Whatever the story behind Aurora’s sudden appearance, Sasha was certain it was touchy and personal. And maybe not something Xander would want to discuss with her right now.

They arrived at the restaurant, and although it was early, a small group of people gathered around the hostess stand. Xander waited his turn and she stood beside him.

Just as he stepped up to the counter, Sasha heard her name and the whispers around her. She briefly closed her eyes and kept her gaze forward, hoping whoever had noticed her would be content with the sighting.

“Excuse me,” a female voice said, this time much closer. Sasha turned, and girls about her age suddenly surrounded her.

“It’s her,” one of them whispered to the other.

Sasha understood that these women and others like them, not to mention men, were her audience and had made her career. Assuming her I’m on personality, she smiled at them, making them feel important. “Hi!” she said.

“Oh my God. Nobody will believe this. Can we take pictures with you?” one of them asked.

“And can I get your autograph?” another one requested, her voice more of a squeal.

At that point, the girls had drawn a crowd, and for the next… Sasha wasn’t certain how long, she took requisite selfies, posed when other people snapped photos for each other, signed napkins, checks, and anything else the crowd came up with.

Finally, a manager stepped in and asked everyone to take their seats and allow her to enjoy her meal in peace. As everyone walked away, she let out a long breath, dropping her shoulders in relief.

She hadn’t experienced the odd sensation of someone watching her in that creepy way again, but this crush of people, though she was used to it, set her off inside, causing anxiety.

Then she looked up and saw Xander standing against a wall, arms folded over his chest, an unreadable look on his handsome face, and nerves twisted her stomach for an entirely different reason.

***

No sooner had Xander given his name for their reservation than he turned to find Sasha surrounded by people, pushing to get a piece of her. He watched her flash a winning smile at her fans as she signed and took pictures without complaining for a solid thirty minutes.

The sight reminded him of the frenzied type of life she lived and thrived on, the same kind of life and choices that had broken them up in the first place.

He stood back and waited, the way he would have waited for her had they stayed together. Except she’d never managed to show him she could love or prioritize him in the same way.