a/n - AWWW... such kind reviews. Thanks! I know this is not everyone's favorite, these contemporary stories, but I wanted to shake things up. I'll be interested to see the reaction.

Chapter 6

Liz put her hand on the railing, but before she could set her foot onto the first step of the bus, she felt Bill's warm breath hit her neck. "I think we should sit next to each other on the bus," he whispered. "Otherwise, it would look suspicious to — Josh — was it?"

Liz nodded. Liz stepped into the bus and took a seat. Bill slipped into the seat next to hers.

"Thanks again about what you did for me just now. I'm sorry to have caused such a scene." Bill sort of nodded to acknowledge he'd heard her, but his primary focus seemed to be stuffing his backpack under his seat. "It seems like that is just what the lobby of the Venetian does to me," Liz said with a little smile. Bill didn't laugh or even give one of those fake smiles pretending to be mildly amused. Her attempt at self deprecating humor had done nothing to break the ice. This was going to be a long trip.

It had been Mary who had convinced her to go on this tour. Okay — technically, Mary and her mom. But her mother didn't really count. She would have sent her daughters out to collect money on the street corner if she knew for sure that the homeless guy that hung out there was single. Mary, on the other hand, was usually more discerning. When her sister had said Grey was interested, she had believed it. But if that was the case, how was it she was sitting next to this guy, and Grey was out there?

Liz looked out the window. Josh was running over to his car. He had left his the babysitting gig behind and she was now fawning all over Grey. It was like that girl was given specific directions - follow around Liz and steal any and all prospects. It didn't matter. She was perfectly happy being single. What had having a man added to her life anyway?

Bill turned to Liz and noticed she was watching the group outside. "That girl, Brandy, isn't nearly as pretty as you are," he said.

"Brandy?" Liz asked turning to the Bill.

"Yeah. The one standing next to Grey hiding under the pound of makeup."

So that was her name. "Thanks," she said. Her voice sounded like someone had just reported her puppy had died. Okay, maybe Bill wasn't entirely responsible that this day was headed toward a disaster. Yes, she had been tossed aside for a child with a stripper's name, but that was no reason to sulk. At least Grey seemed completely annoyed by her as well.

Liz's faced scrunched up like it always did when she was trying to work out a puzzle. Grey's reaction to Brandy seemed odd. And, she hadn't had tome to consider it, but it was obvious he had been jealousy that Bill was holding her hand.

"Dear God," Bill said reaching over Liz and pulling down the window shade. "Your ex-boyfriend's loud mouth has drawn the paparazzi out of the woodworks."

Liz looked at the guy next to her, "You are actually famous then?" Josh's reaction to seeing him had been a little over the top, but that was just Josh. He was star struck when a guy in an Elmo suit would show up for a kid's party. But if photographers were coming, maybe there was more to it. "What exactly is it that you do?" she asked.

"I run a company," Bill answered. "And I am only famous when all the famous people are in hiding."

"Huh," Liz said unimpressed. "My mom runs a company. She is one of the top realtors in the city. She employees a team of four. But she actually has to pay if she wants her picture in the paper."

"She sounds rather fortunate if you ask me," Bill fished that bag out from under his seat and began rummaging around for his sunglasses. "I can't account for why they decided to begin pestering me. I don't do guest appearances, no one had made a movie about my life, I make my donations anonymously, I don't put my name on any company buildings. I have never asked for, nor want, this type attention. But there you have it." He pulled on a baseball cap which looked ridiculously with the rest of his business casual attire.

Liz reflected on what that must be like. "I guess that means that all your business partners know all about you and your life. I suppose that could weaken your negotiating position."

"They know what the press reports, but what is reported and the truth are not always one and the same."

"Do you do a lot of business overseas?"

Bill lowered his glasses and looked at her carefully over the rims. She looked legitimately curious. "You honestly have never heard of me?" Bill asked.

"No. Should I have?"

"I guess not," he answered. She must live under a rock. "I'm just curious, have you heard of Jack Ma, Irwin Jacobs, or Jeff Bezos?"

"No," Liz answered.

She didn't look at all embarrassed. It was as if she had so little knowledge of the business world, she didn't even know how ignorant she was. Well, at least he was in good company. "Yes, we do business overseas," he mumbled.

The doors to the bus closed and they began to pull away. Bill felt somewhat comforted watching the parking lot disappearing from sight.

They were about to reload onto the bus and Bill breathed in one final mouthful of fresh air. They had stopped in an area that overlooked Lake Mead and it was impossible not to enjoy the beauty of the bark blue water against the barren rocky terrain. This morning's adventure had made him feel as though he had been transported to another world, far from the loud, bright glare of the Strip. It had been exactly what Bill had needed and he was grateful for the break. He saw her shadow before he saw her. Liz was coming up behind him.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked looking out over the vista.

"Yeah. I've always felt this place was peaceful. Mostly untouched by man."

Bill looked over at her. "Untouched by man? The whole lake exists because of man."

"I guess you're right," she said with a giggle. "I wanted to ask you something. Earlier — at the hotel," Liz's eyes darted about as she struggled to find her words, "Grey looked pretty angry when he saw we were holding hands. I hope I didn't cause any problem with your guys' relationship."

Bill sighed. It had been a beautiful day and he had thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The last thing he wanted to think about right now was Grey. "No. You didn't cause any problems. We've always had a…" what was the right word? He had to tread carefully. They would all be spending a lot of time together in Paris and it was entirely possible, she and Grey might soon be an item. "...a complicated relationship," he finished.

"It must be hard having your life on open display and then having to work with people from all these different cultures," Liz said. The concern in her voice was palpable. "I mean, in some countries, things are very different than what we're used to. There are plenty of places where very little is acceptable outside of traditional values."

"I suppose working with people of other cultures has its challenges, but I haven't really given it much thought," Bill replied. "You know, I am not quite sure what you are getting at," he said hoping to make sense of this rather odd turn in the conversation.

"I just wanted to say…. look, you need a beard, and I want you to know, I'm happy to help. You were there for me back at the hotel when I needed you."

"A beard?" Bill asked. He had never really thought he looked good with facial hair. And how exactly could she help? Did she know a hairdresser or something? Bill was downright confused now. He turned away from the view and looked at her. He was about to speak, but noticed something over her shoulder. Josh was kneeling down on one knee.

Seriously? What an incredible jerk. He couldn't find some out-of-the- way spot to do this? He just had to do that here? Right in front of his ex-girlfriend? Bill was appalled. He couldn't let Liz see this. He needed to get her out of here before she noticed what was about to happen.

Liz was beginning to turn around. She must have caught his expression or something. It really didn't matter. He had to stop her. He did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a kiss. And not just any kiss. He could feel her going weak in the knees. His mind started to go blank. He was forgetting why it was he was doing this and honestly, he really didn't care. He just wanted to stay right here in this moment. Time felt like it was standing still but then he heard the shutter of a camera and was noticed a flash through his closed eyelids. He pulled away, and about two feet away, stood a member of the paparazzi.

The photographer shrugged sheepishly. "We all need to make a living," the guy said before walking away.

Liz blinked and noticed Grey standing a few yards to her left, behind Bill. Christ! He was fuming. And she had thought he looked pissed before. The wheels in her mind were slowly beginning to turn once again. Bill must have seen the photographer and kissed her to stave off questions. But looking at his boyfriend, it was obvious someone had misconstrued the kiss. Hell, if Bill wasn't gay, she would have misconstrued it too. With the exception of that look of disgust he had worn right before he went in for the kiss, he was certainly convincing. "Okay," she said once she had caught her breath, "When I said I was happy to help, I should have probably covered some ground rules. But we can talk later. Right now, I think it would be better for you if you sort things out with Grey." Liz walked away. It would be best for her to take a minute to herself anyway.

Bill stood there watching her walk away. He didn't even notice Grey had approached until his body fell forward. He caught himself and regained his balance before hitting the ground. He had just been shoved! And it had been a really hard push!