Buzz buzz.

Paisley pulled her blanket over her head. No. She wasn’t going to get out of bed and see who had texted.

Snuggling deeper into her soft cocoon of sheets and pillows, she sighed and allowed herself to drift back to sleep. A dream flitted by. Or was it a memory? Her and Alex in the park, the sunlight on his face, his laughter ringing in her ears…

Paisley snapped her eyes open. Another no. She wasn’t allowed to have those kinds of dreams about him.

A shower. That’s what she needed. To wash her hair and wake up.

Throwing the blanket off, she sat up and reached for her phone. She might as well see who had texted her.

ALEX: Triple screening? A theater near you is showing three classic black and whites, starting at noon.

Paisley laughed and typed back a response.

PAISLEY: You’re not seriously suggesting we sit through all three, are you?

She didn’t have to wait more than ten seconds for a response.

ALEX: You are asking if I am daring you?

Paisley smirked.

PAISLEY: Game on. Send me the address and I’ll see you there.

Light on her toes, Paisley floated to the bathroom. Since it was only ten, she took her time showering and getting ready. After throwing on some jeans and a white t-shirt, she eyed the makeup kit on the shelf above the toilet.

She twisted her lips and considered it. The thing about makeup was that, if you didn’t wear it all the time, people noticed when you did, and then they thought you were trying to make an impression.

And Paisley didn’t want to do that or, really, she didn’t want to get caught doing that.

“Whatever,” she mumbled.

Grabbing the case, she pulled out some foundation, mascara, and the most natural colored lipstick she had. Okay, so she wanted to look good for Alex. But who wouldn’t?

Finished getting ready, she grabbed her purse and headed out. It was Sunday, sunny, and there was no work to be at. And Alex wanted to see her again, the day after they’d spent a whole afternoon together.

Paisley tried not to ask herself what that meant. Because she couldn’t. It wasn’t safe. Alex was going to be her friend, and that was that.

Her heart said a different story, though. At the sight of him in front of the theater, it skittered. He stood with his arms crossed, looking at a movie poster. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, only his face marked him as out of the ordinary… and what a face it was. As Paisley walked down the block to him, half a dozen women of various ages passed Alex by, and every single one of them did a double take.

Paisley ran her fingers over her hair, checking for flyaways. “See anything good?”

Alex looked up with a smile. “They only have the posters for the new releases out.”

“Not having second thoughts, are you?”

“Not at all,” he said. “Have you ever watched three movies in a row without a break?”

“Does breaking for a popcorn refill count?”

“Oh! What have I gotten myself into?”

“You thought I wouldn’t have the guts for this, didn’t you?” Paisley asked, hand on her hip.

“I believe I made a mistake. What if I lose my vision from this?” he teased.

She shrugged. “Your movie reviews were too much competition for me, anyway.”

Alex chuckled.

“Come on,” she said. “The Big Sleep is starting. Are we doing this, or what?”

“Yes.” He offered her his arm, but he paused. His gaze swept over her face and heat burst through Paisley, from her cheeks to the tips of her toes.

Did he notice the makeup? Did he think she’d made a special effort for him?

“Wh--what?” she asked.

Alex paused. “Nothing,” he said quietly. “You look really nice today.”

Paisley bit back a smile. “Thank you.”

Okay. He thought she looked good. So what? Friends told other friends they looked nice. But was the friend receiving the compliment supposed to feel so good about it?

“You like popcorn, huh?” Alex asked, opening the door for them.

“That’s like asking if I like fried pickles.”

“Oh, wow. So that means you won’t be sharing?”

“I can make an exception for you.”

They exchanged a glance and giggled.

Seven hours later, they emerged from the theater and into the twilight. Paisley blinked at the traffic going by. Next to her, Alex pushed his fingers through his hair and huffed.

“It’s like stepping into another world,” she murmured.

“Yes,” Alex agreed. “Which is real? The screen or this?”

“Let’s hope we never really get confused about that.”

Alex checked his wristwatch. “I have to wake up fairly early tomorrow.”

Paisley took a step back. “Okay. Well, this was fun.”

“But I wondered if you would join me for dinner. Do you know the Bleary Day pub?”

“No.”

“It is a short walk from here. What do you say? It’s very good.” He held his palm up. “Granted, their pickles aren’t fried. They merely plop them down next to your sandwich.”

“I think I can live with that.” Paisley laughed.

They fell into step next to each other and immediately started discussing the films.

“No one can beat Claudette Colbert,” Paisley said. “I don’t care what you say. She’s the quintessential Hollywood star.”

“Why is that?” Alex asked, that side smirk that meant he had something to say on.

“Because…” Paisley thought about it as they crossed the street. “She had this blend of innocence and strength. Like she could be all sweet, but give her any trouble and you’d be sorry. Know what I mean?”

Alex nodded. “Like you.”

Paisley nearly tripped over her feet. “Like me?”

Before Alex could answer, a woman about their age stepped in front of him. “Oh, my goodness,” she said, “Are you Prince Alessandro?”

Hesitation showed on his face.

“Can I get a picture with you?”

“Sure.” Alex smiled, but it was a tight expression.

Paisley took a step to the side, having no problem whatsoever fading into the background. The girl pulled out her phone and took a selfie of her and Alex.

Beaming like a lightbulb, the girl turned to him. “Thank you so much. I just love what you did for those kids in the cave. You’re such a hero.”

“Thank you.” Alex nodded. “Have a good night.”

Before she could answer, he looked at Paisley and started walking.

“What’s that like?” she asked when they were out of the girl’s earshot.

His lips pressed together hard. “I don’t love it.”

“I can tell.”

“I didn’t want to let her down, though. She seemed so eager.” He looked at Paisley for what felt like a really long time. “I’m sorry about that. I know it was a disruption.”

Paisley opened her mouth, but no words came. Her initial instinct had been to agree that it really was disruptive, but then she’d realized she didn’t actually feel annoyed. The woman had been so happy to see Alex and it wasn’t like he had entertained her for any more than a minute. So where was the harm?

“It was cool. I bet you made her day,” Paisley said. “You’re doing a good thing, really. Don’t you think? Making people happy by just being around.”

“You know, it seems an awful lot like you’re taking what I told you yesterday and turning it around on me.”

“Oh, really?” She dramatically raised an eyebrow. “Okay, sure. I guess what you told me really got me thinking. As long as we’re being positive, we’re making a difference in the world whether we know it or not. We might as well give ourselves some more credit.”

Suddenly, Paisley felt incredibly silly. Of course Alex made a difference. He was a millionaire prince with a foundation that helped kids all around the world. His self-esteem didn’t need to be pumped up.

“Hm.” Alex slowed his walk and laced his hands behind his back. “That is a good point. But did you truly not mind the interruption?”

“No,” Paisley said, still surprised she hadn’t.

“Here is the spot.” He opened the door to the pub and they went in and grabbed a table.

Instead of focusing on the menu, though, Paisley kept thinking about what had just happened. Could it be she’d overestimated how aggravating hanging around someone who was famous could be?

The paparazzi at the restaurant the other day had been intense, sure, but that couldn’t happen all the time. These three times she had been out with Alex, he hadn’t been mobbed once.

Maybe she’d been wrong about the whole fame thing. Certainly, a relationship with a famous person would come with its downsides, but nothing was perfect.

Paisley’s thoughts drifted back to the conversation at brunch and how her friends had needed to compromise in their marriages… and then ended up happier than ever.

Could Alex ever think of her in… that way?

Paisley didn’t want to get her hopes up. He was still completely out of her league. But what if…

No, she firmly told herself.

“Having trouble over there?” Alex asked.

“Huh?” Paisley lowered the menu and blinked at him.

“You look so serious.”

She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’m trying to decide between a chicken sandwich and a burger. Big decision here.”

Moving fast, she raised the menu to hid her blush.