It was disturbing how his skin tingled simply from her presence beside him. They'd left the little restaurant and walked down the abandoned sidewalk to his car, parked a few blocks away. Next to her, his entire body felt charged, like an electric current running through his skin.

He tried not to focus on what would come, should a photograph of he and Izzy strolling the sidewalk surface the following morning. There would be no explaining it to Patsy. She'd been furious enough about the Confidential earlier that morning.

He didn't blame her. First the pool, then Ciros. Once the paparazzi sunk their teeth into a celebrity, they tended to come up with more and more dirt. They'd practically ruined Judy Garland that way—although quite a few of her stories were true.

Lucky for him, Gene had picked a restaurant in a secluded location. As long as they made it to his car without someone recognizing him, he could call it safe.

When he'd walked through the curtains to see Izzy sitting at the table, his first instinct had been to turn around and leave. But, seeing the hurt spread over her face, there was no way he could bring himself to simply walk away. Especially not when she'd come alone.

He had a few choice words for Gene when he saw him again. It was a dirty move to use Izzy, who seemed quite naive, as a pawn against he and Patsy.

His thoughts darkening, he wondered if she'd been waiting anxiously in that little room to meet Gene before he walked in instead. She seemed so horrified to see him. Did she have feelings for Gene? With a bit of satisfaction, he figured if she had, she didn't anymore.

Once again, he caught himself. He was engaged to be married in just a few short months—what did he care if she had feelings for Gene?

Feeling her stare, he shot Izzy a sideways glance. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. The electric pulse ran through his stomach to his chest, making him uneasy.

Studying her, he wondered what her ex boyfriend had done to cause her so much pain. He guessed he'd probably two timed her, but he sensed it was deeper than that. She was drenched in mystery—and that, he told himself, was why he was drawn to her. Ever since the island he'd wanted to figure her out.

"There was another girl at Ciros," he said. "The cigarette girl. You knew her too?"

"Oh, you mean Gloria? Rita and I met Gloria on the island." Her eyebrows lowered a bit at his puzzled expression. "I know, it's quite crazy how we all met there—and then here."

"It's one huge coincidence," he said. He gathered from her expression that more questions on the subject wouldn't be welcomed, but he couldn't help himself. "It was the three of you who were swimming that day I saved you, wasn't it?"

She paused mid stride, glancing at him. "Yes." His eyes were drawn directly to her soft lips and he was overcome with a sudden overwhelming urge to pull her close to him. Fighting it, he stepped around her and opened the passenger door of his Cadillac.

When she was in and settled, he closed the door and took his time walking around to the driver's side. Before he reached for the handle, he took a deep breath, willing himself to stop his racing heart. He hadn't realized what a dangerous position he'd put himself in, offering to take her home.

It was insane how his body was betraying him. It was going to take all of his will power to survive the drive without doing something stupid that he'd immediately regret. It didn't make any sense. Patsy was everything he wanted in a woman. He was happy and committed to her. He had dreams and plans. None of them included Izzy.

He started the car, tantalizingly aware of her eyes on him.

"Why did you decide to leave Judd?" she asked. "You seemed so happy that day I was there."

Although her words didn't hold any accusation, he couldn't help but feel that Hank and Gene had already talked to her about it, which irritated him. Irritation was far better than the overwhelming draw he felt to her, so he grasped desperately at it.

"I'm sure Hank and Gene told you how it was all my idea," he said, his voice laced with annoyance. "That I double crossed the old man all because of Patsy. It's funny how quickly they forget that they were all part of that decision. In fact, Gene was the one who brought it up to begin with."

The hurt in her eyes at his tone softened his next words. "Besides, I heard Judd's retiring. He and Betsy adopted a young girl. Word has it, they're settling down on the island for good."

Her breath caught and she straightened at his words. "A young girl?" She paused for a moment. "How old is this young girl?"

He frowned. "A teenager, I think." He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

She bit her lip, looking down at her hands. "I don't know. I guess it seems strange to adopt a teenage girl."

"I suppose it does," he said, wondering about her reaction. "She's somewhat of a mystery. They keep her pretty secluded from the press. They've never gotten a photo of her, Judd's extremely protective." He chuckled. "Of course, the Confidential has speculated that she's a result of Judd's secret love affair with his maid. I don't believe it for a minute."

"No," said Izzy. "Judd would never do that to Betsy. I could tell they were very much in love, even in the short time we met."

They pulled out onto the street. "So, how did Gene con you into coming anyway?" he asked, instantly regretting his words as soon as they were out.

Izzy winced beside him as she looked out the window. "He told me he wanted to show me around town, to make up for last night," she said, her voice soft. She sighed."He even said that it would help with the press to be seen with him. I still can't believe he did this. I'm starting to see I'm a horrible judge of character."

Her eyes fell to her lap and his heart instantly sprung out to her. "I know a place where there's a great view of town." The words practically fell out of his mouth before he could catch them.

What are you doing? His mind screamed at him. Bring the girl home before you do something you'll regret!

She cast him a small smile. "I think it's better if you just bring me back to Rita's. None of this is your fault, you don't have to fix it."

"It's an amazing view," said Wes. "I'll box Gene's ears when I get home, but I'll at least give you one good thing to remember about this night before I bring you back." What was he saying?

She shifted a little uncomfortably in her seat, but to his surprise she didn't object. A thrill shot through him as he wondered if she was struggling with the same draw he was—but it was quickly replaced with a bolt of anxiety. He was venturing out on thinner and thinner ice as the night went on. If he had any sense, he'd break it off and bring her back right then.

Still, his traitorous hands took at right instead of a left, following a winding street he often visited alone on starry nights. As they reached the end of the road it dawned on him that he'd never even brung Patsy there in all the time they'd been together. Why hadn't he?

They were always so busy when they were together. What with attending celebrity engagements and performing together, they spent very little time being together just for themselves. In fact, there entire love life seemed to be playing out on a stage.

His thoughts turned back to to Izzy's words in the little restaurant, When you find someone you love, you should put them first—before anyone or anything else. Her words had troubled him because he'd suddenly wondered if he was putting Patsy first because of love or because she was part of his own dream.

With a frown, he shook it off. Of course he loved Patsy. He put the car into park and turned to the dark eyed girl in the passenger seat. But, then why was he here?

"Best view of the city, hands down," he said, trying to seem nonchalant. "Everyone who visits should get the chance to see it. But, i have to admit I'm glad not many know about it. It's been a great place for me to get away."

The lights of the city twinkled far below the hill like a little model city for an electric train. He let down the top of the Cadillac so she could look up at the stars. It was a sight one couldn't see from the city. The city lights drowned out the sky and the smog masked it.

Caught up in the moment, he studied the soft contours of her face as she gazed up at the sky. Realizing how his staring must look, he drew his eyes away from her to the stars.

"The stars were even clearer on the island," he said. "I remember sitting on Judd's front porch gazing at them. The same stars, there and here. But everything else changed."

"This is beautiful," Izzy whispered without looking at him. "Thank you."

He rested his head against the back of the seat, giving her a sideways glance. "It's kind of a hideout of mine. A place I come to get away from—all of the—expectations down there. I wanted this life so bad. I still do. I guess I just thought I'd be happier when I got to where I am."

What in the world? He'd just poured out his most intimate thoughts to her in a matter of minutes. He gave her an apologetic glance.

But she met him with a warmness in her eyes that beckoned him to lean forward. Before he knew it, his lips were against hers, tasting her. He'd thought about how this moment would be for weeks after he'd left the island. His heart knocked hard in his chest as he wrapped an arm around her thin waist, ignoring the alarms blaring in every region of his brain, wanting her closer. Strange as it seemed, he felt that he was on the verge of discovering something he'd been longing for for quite a long time, although he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

A sharp breath escaped her lips and she pushed his arm away, her eyes wide. "We can't do this. You're getting married. What are you doing? This isn't right." Her eyes narrowed and she moved away from him towards the door. "It's my fault. I should have said no from the beginning. I don't know if you do this often, but I'm not the type of girl to have a fling with a man who's engaged."

He bulked, anger flooding over him at her words. Partly because she was comparing him to a heartless playboy like Warren, but more so at her stinging rejection for something he swore she'd felt as well. In fact, he'd felt her body arch towards him, not away, when they'd kissed.

"You're right," he said flatly. "This was a mistake. I never meant for that to happen. I'll take you home."

They drove back in silence. When they stopped in front of Warren's house Izzy turned to him. "Thank you," she said, searching his eyes.

"Say hi to Judd and Betsy for me when you get back home," he said in an even voice.

She faltered a bit, trying to disguise the hurt in her eyes. "I will," she said finally. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," he said, feigning disinterest. He watched her walk to the door, a bitter feeling spreading over him. Turning it to anger, he jammed his foot on the gas and sped away.

Merry Christmas!