Stephanie “Stevie” Jacobs

Marriage to an A-list actor has its perks, but no one ever tells you about the drawbacks—paparazzi infesting your life like cockroaches after the divorce, for instance. So when my longtime friend Troy offers to let me escape to the empty side of his duplex while I get back on my feet again, the only possible answer is, “How soon can I come?”

I’ve never seen Troy as anything more than a friend, but when the gossip columns pin down my location, they’re determined to make more of things between us, despite my assurances he’s dating someone. They media are a tenacious bunch. Heck, they almost have me convinced, which is totally crazy. Right?

Troy Sheppard

My friendship with Stevie has survived a lot, including the day I caught the crazy bug and told her I wanted to be more than friends. Thankfully, that’s far behind us. Both of us. I’m here for Stevie—as a friend—now that she needs a soft place to land away from the gossip-hungry tabloids.

The last thing I want is to make her worry I’m falling for her again, so when my relationship ends, I’m hesitant to tell her or give more fodder to the media. But I may have seriously underestimated the power of the paparazzi—and possibly my feelings. Both seem bent on bringing the past into the present. It’s no big deal, though. I’m determined to protect Stevie and throw them off the scent—and to have fun doing it.