Page 63 of Words I Couldn't Say
“See? Nothing to be jealous of.”
“I wasn’t jealous.”
“You were. And it’s cute.”
I rolled my eyes. “Getting back to the subject at hand: Why haven’t you taken me out?”
Tucker leaned back against my trailer. “I didn’t know you wanted to.”
At that point, I was getting exasperated. For a man who could write an entire novel, he sure wasn’t saying much.
I wrinkled my nose and poked him in the shoulder. “You’re my boyfriend. Whywouldn’tI want to go on a date with you?”
He pushed off the trailer and spun me around so my back was against it. His arms went on both sides of my head to box me in. “Babe, the last time I was at the grocery store, your picture was on three different tabloids.”
It was true. Before I had been cast in this film, I could’ve gone anywhere without anyone noticing. Sure, the barista at Starbucks had once commented on liking my last guest role in a cop-drama television show, but I hadn’t had to hide from the paparazzi. Ever since I’d spent that day on the town with Leo, things had changed and people were starting to take an interest in me. I’d been too busy with filming to pay that much attention to it. I wasn’t surprised, however, that Tucker had noticed.
“You don’t want the world to know I’m dating you?” I asked, unsure of why that would be the case.
“No, of course not. I’d take a freaking billboard if you’d let me. I want the entire world to know you’re mine. But you’re also in the public eye, baby, and I want to respect your wishes. The whole world doesn’t need to know the details of your personal life. So I figured you’d prefer to stay at home until you were ready to go public with our relationship. Trust me. I’d take you out every single night if I knew that’s what you wanted.”
The sentiment was sweet yet oh so unnecessary. I decided to prove that to him by pushing him off me, gripping his arm, and leading him straight out of the studio. Once outside, I glanced around, not disappointed when I saw at least two paparazzi, their cameras aimed right at the building we’d just exited. They were most likely waiting for a glimpse of Leo, but they’d have to settle for me. With a grin, I positioned us so they’d get a perfect profile shot of us when I lifted on my tiptoes and planted my lips on his. Strong arms encircled my waist as he drew me in close. When our show nearly ventured into PG-13 territory, I pulled away and grinned up at him.
“That public enough for you?” I asked, to which he laughed. “Now, can my boyfriend please take me on a date?”
He stepped back and took both of my hands in his before bringing them to his chest. “Ava, even though you’ve been living with me for a month and I’ve already declared my undying love for you, will you please go on a first date with me this Friday evening?”
I twisted my mouth in faux contemplation. “I’ll have to check my schedule and let you know.”
“You’ll be free,” he retorted.
Oh yeah. I’d be free.
