Fallin' for the Fame - Chapter 6
Pick me! Pick me!
Previously: Sam thought she had a handle on her life—steady relationship, predictable future—but one shocking question at the dinner table turned her world upside down. Now, with a broken heart and a message from Legend Blake, she’s forced to face the truth she’s been running from.
6
“Right this way, ma’am,” the hostess says, holding the door open and guiding me outside.
I step over the threshold, my gaze sweeping across the packed patio. Diners laugh and indulge in heaping plates of classic dishes, the rich scent of salmon and baked potatoes curling in the evening air. A gentle lakeside breeze brushes my cheeks, carrying the mellow strum of soft rock drifting from speakers above.
I agreed to meet Legend at TK’s Seafood, one of his favorite spots downtown. He reserved a prime table for us out on the deck, where the lake shimmers under the glow of yacht lights.
I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve imagined this moment for nearly a decade, and now, somehow, Legend Blake wants to meet with me. Me.
I brush some hair behind my ear as I settle into my seat. Overhead, string lights dangle like ornaments, their golden glow soft against the saffron-streaked sky. The sun, sinking low, casts its final glimmers over glossy tabletops and oversized umbrellas, tipping its hat to the Space Needle in the distance.
Tonight, I’ve chosen one of my favorite outfits—a black off-the-shoulder top, a sleek, flirty skirt, and ankle boots that make me feel unstoppable. My hair cascades over one shoulder in thick, beachy waves, the kind that make me feel like I belong in a moment like this. I gaze out at the water as I wait, my stomach bobbing like a buoy on the waves.
A server materializes out of nowhere, and I nearly jump out of my seat. He offers a polite smile as he fills our wine glasses with ice water, then neatly places rolled silverware before me. With a practiced nod, he assures me he’ll return once the “other half of my party” arrives.
The other half of my party… Legend Blake is in a “party” with me.
Yeesh! I don’t know which would be worse—getting here first and facing the gut-wrenching possibility that he might stand me up or arriving late only for him to realize that this was a major mistake.
And then, the air changes. A cool breeze rolls across the deck, raising goosebumps on my skin. People shift, whispering, their gaze locked on the patio door.
It’s him.
Legend Blake in the flesh.
Of course, he’s dressed to kill—an open-collared black dress shirt, perfectly tailored slacks, and a burgundy blazer that screams luxury. A pair of sleek designer boots, polished to perfection, complete the look. I swear, I’ve never seen a more flawless human being in my life.
Flanking him are two towering, muscle-bound men in all-black, their sunglasses giving them an air of silent authority. Bodyguards, no doubt.
A woman approaches, phone in hand, but the larger guard thrusts out an arm, stopping her cold. Before tension can build, Legend offers him a light pat on the shoulder and gestures her forward with an easy wave. A dazzling smile—effortless, magnetic—graces his lips as he grants her a selfie. But the guards, ever watchful, hold everyone else back.
Jeez, how did I not see this coming? Of course, things would be this complicated—everyone on the planet knows who he is!
And then he looks up, and our eyes meet. A slow, knowing smile spreads across his lips, and just like that, he’s moving—confident, effortless—his two guards shadowing his every step.
I jolt upright, smoothing down the ruffled layers of my cheetah-print rah-rah skirt. Okay, Sam. Breathe. Stay cool. And for the love of all things holy, don’t screw this up again!
But he spins on his heels and turns back to his guards.
Oh no. Is he changing his mind now that he’s seen me in person?
He leans in, murmuring something to the guards, but the larger one responds with a firm shake of his head. With an exaggerated eye roll, Legend pivots and heads my way.
Maybe he was asking for space or something… I hope he wasn’t trying to leave.
The charming smile returns to his face as he makes his way over. “Sam!”
“Legend!”
I stand, and he pulls me into a hug—warm, soft, and all-consuming, like rose petals, hot cocoa, and seventeen Snuggies all rolled into one. He smells like a tropical waterfall, fresh and intoxicating. My knees threaten to give out, but I refuse to let them.
“Dang…” He takes a step back, his hands still on my shoulders. “After looking at you every day on IG, I thought I’d know exactly what to expect. But you’re a lot taller in person—and a whole lot more gorgeous.”
My mouth falls open, but no words come out, only a light chuckle. Legend Blake just called me ‘gorgeous’. My cheeks grow hot.
He places a hand on my back, introducing the two men accompanying him. The shorter one is Alex, and the bigger one is Lorenzo. “You don’t mind if they hang around while we eat, do ya?”
I shake my head. “Of course not.”
The two guards turn their backs and take position just a few feet away on each side of our table. They raise their hands, requesting that the other diners give “the star his privacy”. Who knew a simple meeting would take such choreography?
Legend pushes in my chair like a perfect gentleman and takes a seat across from me. “I can’t believe we’re just now doing this,” he says.
“I know, right?” My voice comes out thin and squeaky. With a dry throat, I take a sip of water.
Legend studies me for a moment, stroking his goatee, and making my cheeks prickle. Maybe he finally recognizes me from school?
I set down my glass, my pulse kicking up as I risk a glance at him. “What?”
He shakes his head, but he’s still staring.
Okay, maybe he doesn’t recognize me. “Is there something on my face?”
He sits up and chuckles. “Nah, you’re… You’re perfect.”
My tummy flips and flutters. Okay, Sam, don’t pass out. You can do this, girl!
“Thanks.” I reach for my glass again, but my fingers betray me, knocking it over with a clumsy swipe. Water rushes toward the table’s edge, and Legend jolts upright, but I manage to grab the glass before it tumbles to the ground. “Sorry, I—I’m just a little nervous.”
The taller guard, Lorenzo, casts a glance over his shoulder, a brow creeping up over his shades. He returns to his post, unfazed, adjusting his shoulders.
Legend smiles and grabs a napkin, helping me mop up the spill. “I am too.” I pause, eyeing him skeptically, but he shrugs. “I mean, it’s been, what—three years now?”
I nod.
“And you know all my dirty little secrets,” he says, in this really low and sexy voice.
I wave my hand and snort.
Oh my gosh, I did not just do that!
I bounce my knee, stomach twisting tight, as Legend stares at me in amusement. “Sorry. I’m just full of nerves.”
“Just think of it this way,” he says, “‘If this was a complete nightmare, what’s the worst that could happen—a giant gummy bear with sharp, pointy teeth runs out and bites your head off?’”
I laugh, recalling the idea I gave him over a year ago. He was performing at a royal wedding in Ghana for the first time and he was terrified. My silly suggestion got him back on his feet. “I suppose you’re right,” I say.
“And if that doesn’t work”—he says with a James Bond-esque brow—“You could always picture me in my underwear.”
I bust out laughing, another snort slipping out before I can stop it. “I’m sorry!” I gasp, throwing up a hand as I struggle to regain control.
“No apologies. It’s adorable,” he says. He leans back in his seat, a flicker in his eye. “It’s nice to finally hear that laugh out loud.”
The tension eases as the waiter returns to take our order, and soon, we’re diving into plates of smoked salmon and buttery crab cakes. Rich red wine flows as we trade laughter and stories, reminiscing about old times like no time has passed at all.
As the sun melts into the horizon, the boldest of the stars begin to emerge, twinkling like tiny little secrets. And before I know it, I’m at ease—savoring the moment, the meal, and the company
Legend laughs as we continue our talk. “Man, I can’t believe I still did that show!”
“Right? I thought for sure you were gonna blow chunks all over your bass player!”
He throws a hand over his mouth, struggling to hold back his drink. “I almost didn’t make it.”
“But you did.” I shrug. “Like only Legend Blake could.”
He tilts his head slightly, a soft smile forming. “There’s no way I could’ve done it without my Number One.”
Refusing to let myself blush, I shove a piece of crab cake into my mouth, focusing on the rhythm of chewing. All this time, I’ve longed for a moment where he’d look at me just like that. Now that it’s finally here, I have no idea how to handle it. For the first time, I can actually imagine a future with Legend. Maybe my wish is coming true after all.
Legend dabs his mouth with a napkin, then glances at the guards. They’ve been keeping an eye out, blocking the other diners from snapping photos or videos. He leans forward, elbows on the table, this sober look in his eye. “Sam,” he says, his voice quieter now, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. And it only felt right asking you face to face.”
Wait. There’s no way that Legend Blake officially wants to ask me out… Right?
I swallow the lump in my throat, praying that he does. “Okay. Sure. Go ahead.”
“Okay. So, you remember how a few months back, I had that fallout with Indigo Taylor?”
I nod. How could I forget? Indigo Taylor is only one of the most influential entertainers in the world. She was a child-actress who launched a singing career in her teenage years and has over 20 million followers on Instagram. I must’ve cried for two weeks straight when she and Legend started going out.
“And you remember how after that I said I’d back off with chicks for a bit?”
As long as he was available to me, I was thrilled. I nod again.
“Well,” he says. “I’m thinking that maybe I changed my mind.”
EEEEE! Pick me! Pick me!
I swallow. “You’re ready to start dating again?”
He nods, a sly grin playing on his lips.
Okay, Sam. This is it. Don’t screw up now. I brush some hair behind my ear, watching him with a racing heart. He reaches across the table and places his hand on mine. Oh my—! Please God, help me keep this crab cake down.
“Sam, after everything that went down before, I honestly wasn’t sure I’d bounce back. If it hadn’t been for you, I don’t know how I would’ve made it.”
I’m trying to resist the urge to grab a fork and gnaw on it. “I’m glad I could be there for you, L.”
Maybe he does remember that day backstage. This could finally be our moment.
He runs a thumb across my knuckles, and my heart leaps. I hold my breath, waiting for him to ask me…
“That’s why I need your help.”
I blink. “Hmm?”
He pats my hand, sitting up straight. “I know it sounds crazy, but I gotta get her back, Sam. And I can only do that if you help me.”
“I’m sorry. What are we talking about now?”
“Indigo. I know I said I would move on, but I can’t Sam. She’s the love of my life. I can’t just walk away like nothing ever happened—I’ll never be able to live with myself if I don’t give it all I got. Know what I mean?”
I bob my head, my heart sinking into the depths of despair.
“So,” he says on an exhale, “I want you to come to LA.”
“LA? Legend, what do you mean?”
“Look, if I’m gonna win her back, I need some serious intel.”
“Intel? You mean like a spy?”
“Exactly!”
I’m in a daze as Legend goes on to describe this little plan of his. He needs someone to talk to Indigo. A close friend. A confidant who can get the diva to spill all her little secrets without slipping up and snitching on him. Legend wants to know about her feelings for him, and why she decided to end things between them three months ago.
His eyes spark with passion as he goes on about the idea. “And once I know that I’ll be able to make things right.”
I push a smile onto my face. “But L, don’t you think this is a bit much? And what does any of this have to do with me?”
He grins.
I draw a sharp breath, shaking my head. “Legend, no. This? This is crazy!”
“Sam, she’s looking for a personal assistant. You’re the best assistant I know! And don’t worry about the cost. I’ll cover everything.”
I shake my head like a stubborn toddler, leaning back in my seat. “L, I can’t—” I glance around and lower my voice. “I can’t spy on Indigo Taylor! I’ll get arrested or something.”
“No, you won’t,” he says. “I know some people who know some people. It’ll all be legit, I promise you.”
I fix my gaze on him, my throat tight with emotion.
He wants me to spy on Indigo? After all this time, he’s still pining for her? What about me? What about us?
No. This… this is insane. This is illegal!
But also… this is Legend.
And the last time someone asked me to take a risk for them, I ended up alone.
Do I really want to lose Legend too?
Legend’s gaze holds mine, laden with quiet anticipation. “Come on, Sam. Please?”
Copyright © 2025 Kimberly R. Vargas. All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the author.
Author’s Note:
Hey y’all! 💕
Thanks so much for checking out this chapter of Fallin' for the Fame! I hope you’re loving Sam’s journey as much as I’ve loved writing it.
New chapters drop every Wednesday, so be sure to stay tuned! And if you're enjoying the drama, romance, and all the twists in between, don’t keep it to yourself—hit that subscribe button and share with a friend who loves a good love story.
I’ll see you next Wednesday!
Kimberly R. Vargas
Romance Author | Storyteller of Healing & Love
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