Page 26 of So This Is Love

“It's really not that big of a deal.”

“So,friend,” Bryce says, shifting the conversation. “What do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

“Honestly, I don’t have much planned. I have some things for work to do, but nothing exciting.”

“Work on a Saturday, your job really is your life. We can’t have that,” Bryce says, tossing his napkin onto the table. “How about we go on an adventure instead.”

“Adventure?” I ask, confused. “What would we do on this adventure?”

“I would tell you but that would spoil all the fun.”

I chew on my bottom lip, unsure if I want to accept his offer or not. Bryce looks at me, waiting for a response and the hopeful look in his eyes sends flutters to my belly.

“I guess our adventure awaits.”

9

Laila

“Did you drive here?”

“No, I took the train,” I reply.

“Bet, you can ride with me then. My car is parked right down the street.” Bryce says.

We both stand and walk back through the restaurant to the front entrance. He thanks the staff for taking care of us and his words are so sincere. Bryce takes a beanie and sunglasses from the pocket of his coat and puts them on before he holds the door to the restaurant open for me.

He really is trying to fight those asshole allegations, damn.

“Since when did you start being nice?” I ask.

“I’ve been trying to tell you all along that I am nice.”

“The jury is definitely still out on that one.”

The walk to the parking garage where Bryce’s car is parked is short. He hands his ticket to the valet attendant and they leave to get the car for us.

“I’m surprised you drive yourself around,” I say. “Don’t celebrities usually have drivers or something?”

“A lot of people do, but that’s never been my thing. When Xavier and I are together, he drives us a lot but other than that I usually drive myself around.”

A Lamborghini Urus pulls up and stops in front of us. It’s blacked out with dark tint all around. The valet attendant steps out and hands the key to Bryce. Bryce takes the key and comes to the passenger side of the car and opens my door. I thank him and get into the car and he shuts the door before rounding the car and getting in himself.

Bryce drives out of the parking garage and merges into the flow of traffic. The sun shines down brightly, a significant contrast to the usual overcast, gloomy weather that is typical for the end of January. Downtown Rosewood is alive with people shopping, running errands and simply enjoying the sunshine.

“How do you manage going out without running into fans all the time?” I ask curiously.

“It’s not as hard as you think,” Bryce says looking over at me.

“So you just casually walk around Target buying toothpaste and toilet paper? I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, no,” he says with a smile. “I usually get those things delivered, but I could if I wanted to. Especially in Los Angeles, people are used to seeing celebrities all of the time so it isn’t a big deal. And if you don’t go to known places where paparazzi hang out or call them yourself you can usually fly under the radar. People and their cell phones are a whole different thing though.”

“How do you get around that?”

Bryce shrugs. “Sometimes you can’t. If X is around and he sees people trying to take a picture or video he’ll tell them not to. But usually, if I’m going out and I really don’t want to be noticed I wear hats,” he says, pointing to the beanie on his head. “And sunglasses.”

I nod in understanding.

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