Calem turned in his article for next week's print. He hoped this would end the nightmare he's walked into. He had to make this work, not only for his sake but for the sake of everyone at World Star.

He checked his time, showered, and dressed. His plan, go to Raphael's and tell Evelyn that he's agreed to do an exclusive with Sasha Miller to set the record straight. He didn't think it was fair that Jackson not only got to drag his name through the mud but Evelyn's as well. She didn't deserve that.

Calem rode his motorcycle through the city traffic and parked it in the back alley of Raphael's restaurant. He loved his bike because of the anonymity it gave him. He removed his helmet and ran his fingers through his hair before knocking on the steel doors.

They cracked open, and there was Evelyn, smiling at him. Calem really wished she wouldn't, because every time Evelyn did it scrambled his brain. He needed to be clear-headed to get through these next few minutes.

"Nice bike. Come on in." Evelyn opened the door wider for Calem to enter.

"Thanks."

She led him into the kitchen area where she was already prepping the main course for the night.

Calem took a look around the kitchen. Several stations were stocked and waiting for her attention. "Are you sure you have time to talk? You seem rather busy."

"So long as you don't mind me working while we talk. I'll be just fine."

"Any way I  can help?"

"You know your way around a kitchen?"

"A bit. I sort of grew up in one."

Evelyn handed Calem a chef's knife. I need you to mince those vegetables over there," she said pointing to the counter facing her with the knife in her hand.

Calem washed his hand in the nearby sink and then got busy. Evelyn was impressed with his skills and the speed at which he worked.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Calem began.

"Go ahead."

"I agreed to do an exclusive interview with Sasha Miller."

Evelyn's hand paused mid-slice and her eyes met his. "Sasha Miller?"

"Yeah, she wants the truth and I want the same. You said yourself that it's the only tabloid you trust. So, I think it's important to set the record straight."

"I see," Evelyn said going back to slicing the chicken breast thin.

Now it was Calem's turn to pause. "Look, I'm not doing this for any other purpose than to clear my name and yours."

"Mine?"

Calem wondered why she sounded surprised.

"Yeah, yours. Jackson is trying to make everyone believe you're having an affair. You're not the cheater, he is but somehow, he has twisted this whole thing in his favor. It's not fair. To you, to me. You're a good woman and don't deserve to have all of New York and beyond thinking you're not."

"I kissed you, remember?"

"Like I could forget. Trust me I've tried. It's impossible."

Evelyn smiled at him. Embarrassed by his confession, Calem quickly went back to dicing.

"All I'm saying is that I did cheat on him. I kissed you. I picked you out of the crowd to get my revenge on my fiancé for making out with his co-star in some club. I did that. So, he has a right to be mad or hurt or whatever he's feeling right now."

Calem's eyes flashed with anger. "You can't be serious."

"But I am. Until I kissed you, I had every right to play the virtuous wronged party but I threw that away the moment my lips touched yours."

Calem stabbed the knife into the cutting board and he stormed over to Evelyn causing her to take a step back.

"He was groping that woman in the club. She was grinding herself in his lap. Before that, it was a flight attendant he made part of the Mile High Club. Evelyn, he was even caught with a waitress here in the restaurant where you work. He has no right to pass judgment on you. For what? Kissing me?

Shit, if he was here right now, I'd kiss you again. Only it be my choice, and I'd show that bastard how to truly kiss a woman. How you should be treated because damn it you don't deserve..."

Calem didn't get to finish his sentence. As Evelyn chose to shut him up by making it impossible for him to continue to think. Her hands captured his face, her lips claimed his, and once again his arms instinctively wrapped around her body, pulling her close. His body never felt this alive.

He kissed her back pouring into that kiss all his frustrations about how she didn't belong to him. She belonged to someone else and although it seemed unfair, it didn't make it any less true. That one grim thought pulled Calem away.

Evelyn looked dazed. "I'm sorry." Her apology came out in a breathy whisper.

"You keep saying that."

"No, honestly, I shouldn't have... I had every intention of telling you I thought it best that we never see one another again."

Calem stepped back as if she had slapped him.

"What else would you have me do, Calem? I'm ruining your life."

"I can tell you what I wouldn't have you do. I certainly wouldn't have you kiss me like you just did and then tell me to get lost."

"We can't do this. Don't you see? There will always be someone hiding around some corner or popping up in some bush. They are relentless. I've lived with it these past few years with Jackson gaining so much fame but you didn't sign up for this."

Calem took a step closer. "You know what else I didn't sign up for? This."

Calem grabbed Evelyn by the nape of her neck and his lips came crashing down on hers. He felt her surrender. It took an immense amount of willpower for him to break free. Evelyn appeared hurt by Calem's rejection, but he didn't care.

"Do you think that's normal? That this, whatever this is, happens every day? Maybe it does for you in the crowds you run in but for me..." Calem shook his head, what a fool he was.

"Well, message received. I'll set the record straight with Sasha and after that article is published it'll be like it never happened. I hope you and Jackson have a happy life together."

Calem grabbed his helmet and headed for the door.

"Calem, wait!"

He didn't listen. He opened the door and was on his bike driving away before Evelyn had the chance to stop him.

------

The article came out a few days later. Evelyn felt despondent as she sipped her morning coffee and read what Sasha wrote,

Well, readers, it would seem a particular magazine has called my words into question, and perhaps they were right. Evelyn Quinn did not just kiss the first guy to cross her path, she chose Calem Decker from the crowd around her. Why she chose him is harder to say. Perhaps it was his looks but maybe it was something more?

I've decided to go straight to the source for some answers. Not Jackson Brewer, not Evelyn Quinn but Calem Decker. Here is my personal interview with the accused.

"So Calem, my competitors would like us to believe you are having an affair with Evelyn Quinn."

"Yeah, well your competitors also bought into the rumors that a famous singer faked her pregnancy a while back. Obviously, your competitors don't validate their facts."

"Good point but why should we believe you are not meeting in secret with Evelyn behind Jackson's back."

"Perhaps because first of all my mother would kill me for having an affair since her husband left her for another woman. Second I'd have no reason to hide the fact since I'm not in a relationship with anyone else."

"You could be keeping it a secret for Evelyn's sake."

"A possible theory but did you notice it took Jackson hooking up and having sex with several women before Evelyn made her move to make this supposed relationship known? If she was using me to get back at her fiancé, I'd imagine he'd know about it long before now."

"Yet, he claims to know nothing on the subject?"

"Uh-huh, just like he claims he was auditioning that waitress he got caught with in the woman's bathroom at Raphael's. I mean what kind of low life do you have to be to cheat on your girl at her workplace?"

"Pretty low I would think. So, you're saying you did not know Evelyn prior to that kiss?"

"I knew her by her reputation. She and Brewer are a pretty famous couple, but when she grabbed me for that kiss, I didn't know it was Ms. Quinn kissing me until I took a blow to the face from her jealous fiancé."

"He did seem rather angry to find her kissing you. It's obvious he cares about her."

"I don't know about that. Jackson strikes me as the kind of guy to care more about what others think around him than he cares about those that are close to him."

"How do you mean?"

"I mean, he has an Evelyn Quinn to come home to every night and chooses not to. Not only that but he's okay with how his actions make her look like she's naïve or a fool. I honestly think he fears her success. That he's afraid if she got that restaurant of hers, she'd realize she doesn't need him anymore. What better way to make her look like she has zero sense than to openly cheat on her, all the while knowing she's loyal, committed, and isn't going to walk away."

"Interesting theory but weren't you caught together later that same day, kissing and chatting with Evelyn?"

"She did track me down to apologize. That should tell you what kind of woman she is. Ms. Quinn doesn't have to care about me. I thought perhaps she was afraid I would sue or something but she genuinely just wanted to know I'd get myself looked at. She even offered to pay any medical bills, which I did not take her up on. The kiss was on my cheek. She was wishing me well and saying goodbye."

"Rather a noble gesture, but why do you think Evelyn picked you out of that crowd?"

"At the risk of sounding completely egotistical, I'm not bad to look at. She'd have to choose someone who's at least halfway decent to make it believable, right? I mean if her goal was to get back at Jackson, as you said, to make him jealous, why not me?"

"Fair point. If you could say something to Evelyn about what your life has been like since this all happened what would it be?"

"I'd say you've turned my world upside down but that's not a bad thing. I admire you for taking the chance for something better. In fact, I challenge all of you women out there to give Ms. Quinn a chance. I've started a Go Fund Me account on her behalf. Too many women out there are left with dreams unrealized because some guy they are involved with is treating them in a way that makes them feel less deserving. You deserve success, you deserve happiness, you deserve love.

If you're this kind of woman, if this has happened to you, I'm asking you to donate just one dollar to fund Ms. Quinn and give her a chance at all those things she truly deserves.

We are a city of 8 million people and more than half of you are women. If you have ever been hurt by a thoughtless, heartless, selfish guy like Brewer, take a stand, and make a difference. You can stop the madness. Hell, you can all help one another make your dreams come true."

"A very empowering speech Mr. Decker. Thank you!"

"You're welcome and thanks for allowing me to share my truth."

"That's what we print here at World Star Magazine. The whole truth and nothing but. And thank you also, to my readers for letting me set the record straight."

Tears spilled over Evelyn's lashes. She couldn't believe Calem did this for her. She looked up the Go Fund Me account. The article had a QR code that took you directly to the site to make a donation. Evelyn was stunned to discover that Calem had already raised $3,000 dollars and it had only been a couple of hours since the magazine hit the stands. Suddenly, she didn't feel so alone.

She had to talk to him again.