While he stood to the side, he couldn’t help but study her. Their time together used to be spent mostly in bed. Sexually they were completely compatible, which was the main reason he tried not to focus on how delectable she looked now in her outfit with the strip of bare skin that occasionally appeared when she’d move or lift her arms to sign something for a fan.

But the longer he watched her, the more he realized something about her was different. Beneath the act she put on for the crowd, there was a strain around her eyes and a tightness to that luscious pink-tinted mouth. And if he allowed himself to admit he looked close enough, a sadness he hadn’t expected.

Given how much she’d wanted this kind of fame, he was surprised, but it wasn’t his place to put an end to the circus. It did, however, make him wonder why she didn’t travel with security to prevent her from being overwhelmed.

Finally, a large man who Xander assumed was the manager strode over and announced it was time for everyone to let Sasha sit down and eat in peace. He sure as hell had taken his sweet time, Xander thought.

When the last of the fans finally walked away, Sasha let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping as she released the tension she’d obviously been holding.

Xander strode over and met her gaze. “You okay?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’m fine. I was just hoping to fly under the radar here. I’m not all made up, not dressed to stand out.” She shrugged, disappointment in her eyes. “Guess not.”

He narrowed his gaze. Did she really not see how she stood out in a crowd? “You don’t need all that artificial crap to be noticed.” He glanced at the manager, who was waiting to escort them to their table, and nodded.

The man led them to a secluded corner and gestured for them to sit. “I’m sorry about the crowd,” he said. “I was in the back on a call with a distributor or I would have handled things sooner.”

Sasha graced him with a genuine smile. “Thank you so much. I’m sorry to bring chaos to your restaurant,” she said.

He shook his head and waved a hand, dismissing her concern. “You can’t buy this kind of publicity,” he said, walking away and leaving them alone.

“Well. That wasn’t how I planned for things to go.” She picked up the napkin on the table, shook it out, and placed it on her lap. “Let’s talk about something other than… that.” That meaning her being swarmed by fans.

The server came over and Xander asked her to give them more time.