Free Reveal: A Contemporary Romance (Billionaire Rock Star Romance Book 2) by Bella Love-Wins, Bella Wild Page B

He scanned the room, appreciating the mellow, yet elegant ambiance. The faint hum of Clint’s electric wheelchair trailed behind him as he looked around for Alex’s familiar face.
    They walked past several small round tables and exited through a back door to a cobblestone courtyard with more diners and loungers under the softly lit outdoor area. With each step, his chest tightened, his palms got sweatier, and the nervousness combined with the aroma of rich food almost made his stomach churn.
    Why am I getting worked up?
    If anything, Alexandra should be nervous.
    The hostess gestured to the table, and all the air rushed out of his lungs. It felt like he had been punched in the gut.
    “Holy shit,” he said softly. He stepped forward in a slight haze as his vision zoomed in on them, and everything around them seemed to hit a big pause button.
    Against a dusky twilight sky at a table in front of him was none other than Lexxi Rock. She was seated next to a striking, tanned woman he did not immediately recognize because he could not stop staring at Lexxi. Everything about the girl who used to live next door seemed more saturated, richer and more vivid than he remembered. Eyes peered out from her pale, flawless face. Her lips were a pale pink, and the purple hair flowed down her back and around her shoulders, piling into her lap. Her long legs were crossed, and the shapeliness of her calves drew in his stunned gaze.
    Sebastian clutched at his chest.
    This cannot be happening now.
    Beth put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?”
    “Lexxi Rock,” Clint said in a calm, hoarse voice.
    Sebastian looked down at him, and Clint looked up. The two nodded in awareness. For Clint, he was meeting his celebrity idol. For Sebastian, this was over the top.
    This is it.
    Alex Roberts is revealing herself as Lexxi Rock.
    Here?
    What the fuck am I supposed to say to her?
    Lexxi appeared to save Sebastian from himself. The rock star gracefully rose from her seat and faced them. She was much taller. Sebastian looked down and noticed heels that looked a mile high. He never would have pictured her in the shoes or the dress she wore, but it was a perfect fit. The stretchy pink fabric clung to her narrow waist, revealing her slim, yet shapely figure.
    Other patrons looked their way when Lexxi stood in front of them, and surrounding conversations hit a low hush as more and more people seemed to become aware they were in the company of someone famous. A flash of light nearly blinded Sebastian. He looked around Lexxi and noticed a man with a Nikon camera, squatting nearby as he rapidly took more pictures.
    Lexxi smiled apologetically. “Sorry about that. Just try to ignore them. That’s what I do.”
    The woman sitting at Alexandra’s table waved politely at them from her chair on the other side of the table. “Hello, everyone! I’m Eva. Lexxi invited me to tag along. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    Sebastian noticed the slight accent, realizing she was Evangelyn Reese from his research into Lexxi Rock only a few weeks ago.
    So that’s where Alex went.
    Lexxi shook Clint’s hand, then turned to Beth and shook her hand.
    “I’m Lexxi. My cousin, Alex, told me my dad’s neighbor had some friends who wanted to meet me.”
    Sebastian’s jaw dropped.
    No. She can’t be going there.
    Still, Sebastian mentally applauded her for not making it seem as though he was in on this mammoth-sized surprise. Clint would have probably punched him if he thought Sebastian was a part of this.
    When Lexxi turned to Sebastian, he swallowed hard.
    “Hi…Lexxi?” He forced out the words as she reached for his hand and asked him if she could have a word in private. Their palms made contact, and an electric spark shot through him again, sending a flash of memories from the past few weeks.
    “Let’s have a quick word over there,” Alexandra said as the hostess showed Beth her seat and removed a chair for Clint to fit at the table.
    “Sure,” he answered,