Page 102 of Doc Hollywood

“Devon.” Taylor acknowledged. “Helena.” He smiled at the other woman.

“For what it’s worth. I’m sorry.” Devon looked ashamed.

“I know. I’ve already told you I forgive you. And do yourself a favour, even if it costs you money, get out of your contract with Brian,” Taylor’s voice was low, so no one passing could hear them talking.

“I will. Helena and I talked about it. We’ll do whatever it takes,” Devon whispered, and the woman on her arm gave her a reassuring smile. She inclined her head at Clara, speaking just loud enough for only their small group to hear. “And Clara, I’m sorry. I had no idea us pretending to date was stopping you two from being together.”

“Oh, umm.” Clara struggled to find anything to say, so kept it simple. “Thanks.”

She looked up questioningly at Taylor. Devon knew about them?

“She told me about Helena. I told her about you,” he said simply. “Ladies, if you don’t mind, we’re tired, and we’re going to head home.” He put his arm around Clara’s shoulders and pulled her against him, making it clear that he meant they were heading home together.

“I’ll see you around, Clara.” Devon waved as Taylor led her away.

He stopped just inside the exit, murmuring, “Last chance. Once we go through these doors, you’ll be public property.”

Clara didn’t flinch as she stepped towards the exit, gently tugging him with her, saying, “Let’s go.”

Her brave words didn’t prevent her from startling when the wall of sound hit them. Photographers shouted for her to smile, to give them her name, and to ask if she was Taylor’s girlfriend. Flashes blinded her, and a few photographers lunged forward, getting right in front of her.

Taylor pulled her closer, keeping them away from her. He smiled and waved to the paparazzi but didn’t say a word.

It felt like hours until they got to the limousine, the driver waiting for them with the door open. Taylor held onto her hand as she slipped inside and closed the door firmly behind her.

The silence in the limo was deafening after the cacophony of noise, and Clara blinked to clear the images the flashes had left behind her eyes. She started to panic. She couldn’t do this. It was too much. This wasn’t her world.

Taylor climbed into the other side of the car, shutting the door. He turned to face her, his knees touching hers. The panic and shouting in her head stilled, and calmness washed over her. This was Taylor, the man she had spent a thousand hours with on the phone—a man she already knew so well and couldn’t wait to get to know better. He was worth it.

“It’s a lot.” Taylor reached out and brushed some hair behind her ear that had come loose from the braid.

“It is,” Clara’s voice was breathy. She wasn’t sure if it was from the paparazzi or his nearness.

Who was she kidding? It was him.

“And you’re still in?” Taylor asked tightly.

Clara stared into his vivid blue eyes, putting a hand up to his face. “Absolutely.”

“Good.” His head dipped towards her, and his lips caught hers in a searing kiss.

The limousine drew up in front of Clara’s hotel, but neither of them noticed as they had spent the whole ride kissing, talking, and laughing together.

Clara realised first that they hadn’t moved for quite a while and glanced away from Taylor to look out the window, seeing where they were. She pushed gently on his chest as he tried to pull her back into his arms.

“Taylor,” she muttered.

“Hmmm,” he grumbled, kissing her again.

“We’re at my hotel.” She pulled away from his lips.

“No, we’re not,” he growled, tugging her closer.

Laughing, Clara pushed him away again. “Taylor, I think we’ve been here for a few minutes.”

This time, he listened and leaned away from her, peering out of the window as well. “Oh. Right.”

Clara took a deep breath, willing herself to be bold. Her words rushed when she said, “You’re coming in, aren’t you?”

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