Page 16 of Reluctantly Married

Saturday morning brought gray skies that threatened to dump torrents of rain at any minute. Definitely not a day to put the top down on his car. Adam picked up Dale and headed over to get Megan.

“What’s going on here?” he asked Dale as they crept into the parking lot, a large group of women parting like the red sea before them. The parking lot was packed with cars, license plates from all over. He noticed Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa.

“He’s here!” one of them shouted.

And with that, the sea of women crashed in upon them. He couldn’t even inch forward.

He rolled his window down. “What the—”

“It’s Adam!” the one right next to him screamed.

Another one leaned in. “I’m your biggest fan, Mr. Warner.”

Fans? Of his? Had he entered some bizarre world where he was recognized on the streets? Dale chuckled in the back. “Wow. Looks like the website’s working.”

Warning bells sounded in Adam’s head. How had these women known where he was going to be? “What did Leon do?” He tried not to yell but wasn’t very successful.

“Hey, man. It wasn’t my idea.”

Adam closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before speaking. “Did Leon post Megan’s address on the Internet?”

The smile faded from Dale’s face. “Well, when you say it like that, it doesn’t sound very good.”

“Are you serious? He really did?”

Dale nodded, and Adam’s mouth fell open. How could he?

The women finally moved enough to allow him to park. An urge to protect Megan surged in him. He twisted around to face Dale. “Leon’s gone too far this time.”

Adam stepped out of his car. Several women whipped out camera phones. “Thank you, ladies, for coming here. We are glad you watch our morning show.”

“I’ve only watched your dating show,” one of them said.

“Yeah, the dating one is what I watch too.” An older woman nodded. Then a barrage of questions were thrown at him.

“Where are you taking Megan today?”

“Are you mad at her for what she did?”

“Do you love her?”

He held up his hands and put on his best camera smile. “Ladies, please. I’m late to pick up my date.”

The sea of women parted. “Go get her, then!” someone shouted.

He left the surreal scene when Megan buzzed him into her apartment complex, Dale on his heels. When Megan came out, she gave him a particularly nasty glare while the camera wasn’t on her face. Then she smiled. “Hey, sweetie.” She stood on her tip toes and brushed a kiss across his lips.

The small act sent him reeling. He thought about pulling her close and spending more time getting to know her sweet lips, but he knew she was just playing a part for the camera. Too bad.

She wore running shoes, a T-shirt, and jeans that hugged her in all the right places. He averted his gaze and clasped her hand. “Ready to forge through the mob?”

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“You haven’t noticed your parking lot?”

She shook her head. “What are they doing there?”

“I guess they found out we’re taping here this morning. They’re here to catch a glimpse of us.”

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