AllFreeNovel
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Looking at myself in my corridor’s full-length mirror, I nod in approval. It’s a rare occurrence, but I’m pretty happy with the way I look. I’ve struggled all my life with my weight. And even if I’m more accepting of myself now, I’m still unable to lose those extra pounds and reach the end goal of shopping in the “M” section. But with this outfit, you’d think I was a fourteen and not a sixteen.
The doorbell rings as I dab on one last touch of scarlet lipstick. Grabbing my black stilettos, I hustle across the living room to open the door.
Wade looks handsome too. He’s wearing a white button-up shirt under a dark-blue sweater that he’s paired with black trousers. And in his hands is a bouquet of the most beautiful lavender roses.
“Hey,” he says, giving me a once-over. “You look great. These are for you.”
“Thanks, and thanks.” I smile, swaying on my feet as I take the bouquet. The smell is enchanting, light but honey-sweet with a touch of plum. Looking around, I whisper, “Should I fall into your arms or something?”
“No,” he says with a chuckle. “There are no paparazzi here.”
I heave out a sigh. “Oh, right. I thought they might be hiding in the bushes across the street or inside a rubbish bin.”
His lips twitch into a grin. He shouldn’t be allowed to do that. The hue of his grey eyes deepens as he smiles, a faint twinkle lighting up his irises. That single gesture sends a flock of butterflies soaring through my belly. They have no business here. Because business is precisely what this is. We have a contract, for God’s sake. These fluttering beasts are going to have to behave.
“They could be hiding out there,” he rumbles. “But I doubt it. Ashley, my publicist, tipped them off about where we’re going tonight, so they’re probably waiting there.”
“Okay. What’s with the flowers, then?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I just thought it would be nice. They’ll go well with the colours in your living room.”
I glance around the room behind me, decorated in pastel pink and white. They will indeed fit in nicely here. I guess he was right, he is very observant. That doesn’t exactly help with the butterfly thing.
“Well, thank you. They’re beautiful. I’ll put them in some water, and then we can go.”
He saunters in behind me as I fetch the vase on the TV stand. I unwrap the flowers, trim off a few leaves, and tuck the stems into the vase once I’ve filled it with water.
Placing the vase back on the stand, I say, “Perfect.” I glance at Wade, and he offers me a wide smile in return.
I grab my bag, slide into my stilettos, and follow him outside. Right after the bus stop, I notice a black sports car parked along the street, and of course, he opens the passenger door for me.
“Not bad, Hunter,” I joke.
“Well, this is a date, after all.” He’s definitely not allowed to speak those intoxicating words. Even if I know how he means them, they send the wrong message to those pesky swallowtails swarming in my belly.
Inside the car, everything looks and smells expensive, reminding me with whom I’m riding. Even if it’s all for show, I’ll never comprehend the amount of money these guys make just for running after a ball on a pitch.
The drive to the restaurant is relaxing, and I’m pleased that he’s not the typical show-off you usually see driving these sports cars. He doesn’t speed up or rev the engine, and he takes caution at every turn.
When we arrive, a dozen paparazzi are waiting for us, as expected. Wade double-parks in front of the entrance.
Turning toward me, he asks, “Are you ready?”
No. Of course not. I feel like I’m being thrown into the lion’s den. Despite my anxiety, I nod once and peep, “Uh-huh.”
“I’ll open the door for you.”
He gets out, and I wait for him. When he opens the door, he offers his hand to help me out. A prickling sensation turns my hand into a lifeless fossil.
“Wade, who’s your girlfriend?”
Click. Click.
“Have you been together long?”
Click. Click.
“What’s your name, miss?”
