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“Yeah…” Her voice trailed off as she kept her eyes focused ahead of us. “It’s just part of the whole deal though. The hard part is over.”
No, the hard part is just beginning.
My eyes took her in, the way her dark-blonde hair fell past her shoulders and how her chin stayed tilted up. “You did really great.”
She looked over at me then, stopping just as I reached for the door. “Thanks. Sorry I took a minute. It was just a lot. Your speech was so…” Her eyes dropped from mine.
“I just rambled,” I said quickly as I pushed the door open for her. “They actually gave me something to say, but it just didn’t feel like it would be authentic to the outside world.”
“I see.” She turned away and walked out into the night air.
And then the cameras started flashing.
“Aw, shit!” I jumped into action as the paparazzi surrounded us, getting up in Lena’s personal space. “Back the fuck up!”
Our driver and security guard did their best to help me wave them out of the way, but Lena’s eyes were still wide with shock.
“What do you think about being engaged to such a high-profile rockstar?”
“How do you feel about Jackson’s arrest?”
“Do you worry that he’ll get into more trouble?”
“Don’t say anything to them.” I kept my voice low as I leaned into Lena, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and guiding her to the car.
“We just want a comment!”
She ducked her head, holding her purse up to shield her face, and I held onto her tightly, fighting the urge not to punch some of them for making her feel so fucking uncomfortable.
But then again, I had made her cry.
I helped her into the back seat, sliding in beside her as the driver slammed the door shut. “Just take a deep breath. It’s okay.”
“They’re gonna follow us,” the driver said with a groan as he climbed into the front seat.
I looked over at her and then back at him. “Then just take us to my place.” I knew that probably wasn’t where Lena wanted to go, but it would at least keep the paparazzi from seeing her place.
For now, anyway.
I stole a glance over at Lena, who was silent and staring out the window. I couldn’t tell if she was still upset or just tired. Maybe both. It only took about fifteen minutes before the driver punched in the code at my gate, and we were home. Well, I was home.
“Have a great night,” he said as we climbed out of the SUV.
“Yeah, you too.” I offered a hand to Lena, and she took it, letting me help her out. I led the way to the front door, and let us in, relieved to have some privacy. Even though Tyson’s wedding was all about him, the moment I’d proposed, all eyes were on Lena and me.
And I didn’t like that when it came to faking a relationship.
“You wanna see the music room?” I offered as we hovered in the entryway.
“Um, yeah, but it’d be kind of nice to change.” She gazed up at me warily. “But I left my bag with Maeve.”
“Ah, right…” I shifted my weight onto my heels. “You can wear a T-shirt and boxers of mine. Will that work?”
She shrugged, but the red hue on her cheeks made me smile. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Come on then.” I offered my arm, and she made a face but took it. Guiding her through the front part of the house, I led her to the stairs, and together we climbed to the second floor.
“This is such a big house for just one person,” Lena commented, laughing softly.
