Sean Stirling isn’t having a good day. Hearing snide comments on a photoshoot, he storms off, not caring that he looks every inch a celebrity throwing a tantrum. Things get worse when he falls on the ice-covered street. As a car comes barreling toward him, there’s nothing he can do to prevent his fate. Luckily, Emerson Willis is there to save the day. Emerson pushes the man from the street, then gets bamboozled into accompanying the stranger to the hospital. After Emerson sees himself on television, he realizes the man he saved is a pop star. Now, Sean is smitten and eager to thank his rescuer. Emerson, whose mind is still spinning, can’t tell what to think about the sudden attention. Can the musician convince Emerson they’re made for each other? Or will Emerson dismiss it all as the passing fancy of a rich and famous man?

Double Act

He didn’t tell either of them he had a date with Sean that night. In fact, he denied seeing Sean more than that encounter. It would have opened a discussion he didn’t feel like having.


The morning passed slowly. Emerson sipped his coffee while The African Queen played on the television. The movie didn’t hold his interest. His nerves were too wound up. The coffee wasn’t helping.


Around noon, he finally decided to get out of the house. He dressed in sweats and took Ninotchka out for a jog. Sean’s songs playing on his MP3 player didn’t soothe him. It reminded him he had a date with a celebrity in a few hours.


The knot in his stomach didn’t lessen as he showered, shaved, dressed. His leg bounced ceaselessly if he sat, or even if he stood still.


When the door buzzed at five till seven, Emerson thought he might faint from nerves. He rushed to the intercom and pressed the button.


“Hi, Emerson,” said Sean’s staticky voice. “You ready?”


Chapter 18