sip of my coffee and set the paper down. “I kind of want to save it forever.” I sit in front of him on the bed. “So, what happens now? I was planning on flying home with Mia tomorrow. What happens next when reporters figure out where I live and everything? What am I supposed to say, or not say?”
“Anything you want. If you want to say nothing then ignore them. If you want to announce to the whole world that I’m yours, go for it.”
“I’m going to miss you like crazy, you know that right?”
He pulls me down onto him and holds me tightly against his chest. “Two weeks apart and then only the last few days together just isn’t enough time with you. Do you have to go? The guys and I are going to stay here for a few weeks and start working on our next album. Stay with me, and let me show you around L.A.”
I shake my head, uncertain. I truly don’t have a great reason to rush home, except that I’ve barely been home at all in over a month. But I still haven’t set up more photography appointments, and Christmas is just a month away. Any appointments I would have been able to get in would have had to be done by now, anyway. I know he only booked me a one way ticket, but that doesn’t mean I can just stay. I have to go home, sometime, right?
“Stay with me, love. Please.”
I look at Zack’s pleading eyes and know I don’t have an argument in the world to stand on.
“I can’t possibly say no when you’re begging, I guess.” I lean up and kiss him. Our slow kiss quickly fills with passion as he pulls me tight against him before rolling me onto my back.
***
I feel like maybe I can handle this life after all. Zack and I have spent the last few days in Los Angeles shopping, dining, and partying at night… hitting all the clubs and places Zack likes to go. The paparazzi have taken a few pictures, but it’s been calm enough that I haven’t been too shocked. And even though my name was released after the awards show, I haven’t had any local reporters call or anything. I’m starting to think Mia and Zack were right all along. I had nothing to fear about it, and now that I’ve had more time with Zack, and more time to get used to the idea of Sarah speaking, I’m feeling ready to let my past fears go.
Today is the first day Zack and his band are supposed to start recording new songs so I join him at the studio with Chloe, who has yet to leave Garrett. We’re in a lounge area with retro furniture and all I can think about is how I totally understand how some of this went out of style. Who could actually be comfortable in plastic chairs curved like an egg?
Zack and Jake sit on a couch, tuning their guitars. Garrett has Chloe snuggled onto his lap and they’re practically making out like teenagers. I love watching them, not because I’m some voyeur, but because their love is honest and pure and they don’t care who knows it. Chase sits absentmindedly tapping his hands against his knees to an unknown beat when the door opens.
“You need to hire a new keyboarder.” Aaron, their manager, comes into the room sounding rushed and getting right to business. He seems much more in charge than the night in the limo where he appeared more like a father figure. Not anymore. His presence demands attention and all the guys give it.
Without even waiting for Zack to respond, he continues.
“Coldstone is breaking up and their keyboarder, Scott, is available.”
“No. Not Scott.” Zack speaks adamantly while his fingers tense around the neck of his guitar.
“He’s the best there is, Zack.”
Zack raises one hand to stop him. “He’s a man-whore with a rehab history a mile long. I don’t want to bring that crap in here.” Zack looks at his band and then to me and smiles. At me.
It’s full of wicked intent and I can tell by the way his eyes narrow and the glint that sparkles in them that I know exactly what he wants from me. I suddenly wish for the ability to shoot laser beams from my eyes straight into his malfunctioning brain.