Page 80 of Unscripted with Mila

I laughed at her, taking the flowers from Nick and putting them in a large glass I took from the bar. I touched the petals of the flowers with a smile. I couldn’t recall the last time I had been given flowers by anyone outside my family.

“Downstairs in a nondescript black van waiting by the back door. I sat in the third row, and we went right past the paps coming in. They had no idea I was in there. The driver will take us to the restaurant and drop us off. Another car is already waiting there, and I’ll bring us home in it. I’ve already tipped the guard at the front, and I’ll text him as we approach so the gate will be open and I can drive right in. It’s not my car, so they won’t be looking for it.”

“You’ve done this before.”

“Too many times.” He scrubbed his face. “Not for dates, simply to live. See some friends. Grab a pizza. Go for a run. I have no idea what is so exciting about me walking or having dinner that they need to be so intrusive.”

“People are curious.”

“I wish they were more curious about curing cancer or listening about climate change. Not what I put on my plate or who I share a meal with.”

Andi nodded. “Still, going out is risky. For both of you.”

I picked up my shawl, and Nick hurried over to help me drape it around my shoulders.

“I just want to take Mila to my favorite place and have a meal with her. It shouldn’t have to be so difficult,” he said.

“It’s part of your life,” Andi replied.

“Thanks to MJ,” he snapped. “Her freaking love of notoriety. Wanting press all the time.”

Andi and I shared a glance. I begged her with my eyes not to say anything about MJ’s visit earlier. I didn’t want to tell Nick right now. I just wanted to enjoy a night with him.

“Shall we go?”

“Have fun,” Andi said with a smirk. “Don’t stay out too late.”

Nick held out his hand. “You ready?”

I slid my palm against his. “Yes.”

* * *

“It’s so pretty here,” I murmured, looking around the restaurant. We were tucked into a back room, the window overlooking the water. The sunset cast its brilliance on the waves, and the sky was lit with beautiful colors.

“Not as pretty as the woman I’m sitting with.”

I smiled at him. He was relaxed and handsome. Leaving the hotel was easy, the paps not even looking our way. The drive was quiet, although more than once, his mouth covered mine, devouring my lips and holding me close. I’d been pleased to discover my lipstick stood up to its name and was smudge-proof, even though Nick seemed determined to prove otherwise.

“I’m a little overdressed.”

He shook his head. “No. I love your dress.”

“You don’t hate yellow?”

He frowned. “No. It’s one of my favorite colors. So is red.” He touched my cheek. “And lately, gold.”

I felt the color flood my cheeks. He constantly told me how my eyes fascinated him.

He smiled, stroking my cheek. “I love how you react to my words, Mila. You make me feel so incredible.”

Unbidden, MJ’s words from earlier popped into my head. “You don’t think I can cure you, do you?” I asked. “That I’m some sort of therapy that will heal you?”

He sat back, looking shocked.

“Why would you ask that?” Then he frowned. “MJ. That sounds like the kind of shit she would spout.”

“She dropped by today.”