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“What do you recommend then?” I ask her with a grin. “Since you are the expert at the menu here.”
“A burger and a milk shake, of course. The perfect teenager combination. Followed by an ice cream.”
“Of course. Sounds perfect to me. Good job I’m not a calorie counter. Can you imagine?”
“A big Hollywood actor like you? You should be.” She tosses her head back and laughs. “In fact, you should be ordering a salad and watching me tuck in to my burger, salivating and jealous.”
“Not a chance.” I shake my head hard. “That will never be me, I can assure you of that. If any job needs me to avoid a burger and milk shake diet, then I will be out right away. I couldn’t handle it.”
Millie orders for us as the waitress comes over to our table and then she opens up some more about her childhood while we eat and drink. She even discusses her mother a little which is a pleasant surprise. It’s nice to see her finally comfortable with me enough to share parts of herself which she has clearly locked away for a long time. I hope this is a step in the right direction for us, a step towards our happy ever after.
“I’m absolutely full.” Millie leans back and blows out a breath. Her cheeks are slightly red, and her eyes shine with glee which makes my heart race faster. “I don’t think I can eat another bite.”
“But we can’t go without ice cream,” I insist with fake surprise. “We’re going to have to wait until you can eat. You have sold the whole menu to me now and I need to try it all.”
“Oh, I still have room for ice cream.” She knots her eyebrows together. “That’s a different stomach.”
“Ah, I see. Toddler logic. Of course.” Millie nods emphatically. “Right, let’s get it sorted then.”
It’s honestly the most blissful night ever. Me and Millie remain locked away in our own little bubble the entire time. The only time it’s popped is when a mother and daughter ask me apologetically if they can have a photograph with me and an autograph as well. Millie rapidly excuses herself to use the bathroom so I can interact with fans without dragging her in to it, and I have to admit that it gives me hope for the future. Me and Millie can make it work without bringing the media in to our private lives.
“All done?” Millie asks with a smile as she returns to the table to find me alone. “That was nice.”
“It was. I don’t mind it when people aren’t too intrusive. It’s when they want me for a long time when I’m trying to get on with my day that it gets challenging. But I need them. I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
She smiles and nods. “Right, well let’s pay the bill then we should go for a walk or something. Don’t you think? It’s such a nice night out and I can show you some more of your home town.”
“I’ve already paid the bill,” I inform her before she can pull her wallet out. “I did it when you were in the bathroom.” I hold up my hands in a surrendering gesture when I spot her expression. “Sorry, I know that you wanted to take me out, which probably means pay as well, but I had such a good time. It’s my way of thanking you.” Her eyebrows furrow and her lips turn downwards. “Don’t worry, we have all the time in the world for you to pay me back now. We’re going to be together forever, right? You can get me next time…”
“Ooh, you’re lucky you are so cute.” She pinches my side playfully. “Well, when you put it like that, I can’t be mad, can I? Come on, let’s take a stroll. I can show you the river… well, it’s more of a stream…”
As we get outside, I’m suddenly distracted by the sound of my cell phone ringing. “Oh, it’s Artie.”
“Your brother?” Of course, Millie knows exactly who that is, I’ve told her about my family enough times. “Well, you better answer it, hadn’t you? You never know, it might be an emergency.”
I can’t believe she doesn’t mind me interrupting our date with this. I grin at her as I hit the answer button while slipping my free hand in to hers so we can still walk together. “Hey, Artie. Are you okay?”
“How has it gone, Lance? Come on, we are all on egg shells here,” he gushes. “We’ve been trying to keep up to date with what’s going on online and both Ryan and Daniel told me not to ring you, but I can’t hold back any longer. I need to know what’s happening. I can’t handle it any longer. You are in Millie’s home town, right? We saw some pictures taken by some girls and tagged there earlier, but what happened next?”
