Page 67 of Heartstruck at Dawn
“Are you okay?” he asked when I felt him for the first time. I nodded and managed to smile in return. I couldn’t think anymore. Everything spun around us, but all I could focus on was him. My senses belonged to him. There weren’t any other arms I’d rather have around my body than his.
“You’re beautiful—exactly how I imagined you, and more,” he whispered. Electric shockwaves rushed up through my spine in constant surges that clashed on my forehead, impairing my sight but enhancing my sense of touch.
He was going to drive me crazy.
And he did.
Nathan and I skipped our run and went for brunch with Lily and Joel afterward to celebrate making our relationship official.
My security detail always took extra precautions on outings with them. Although we were invisible most of the time, there would be occasions when a paparazzi or two, sometimes more, would try to get too near and get a shot of Lily and Joel together.
Lily was ecstatic when we told her we were now officially dating. “I’m thrilled for you guys. You both deserve to be happy.” She smiled and rested her head on Joel’s shoulder.
Nathan cupped my chin. “I’m chuffed,” he replied and laid a quick kiss on my lips.
“I hope that’s a good thing,” I said with a chuckle.
“He’sdelighted,”Joel said in a British accent. We all laughed. Joel surely knew what all Nathan’s British expressions meant by now. I still had to get familiarized with them. They were too many.
“I am,” Nathan said, kissing me again.
“Get a room,” Joel said with a laugh. Lily bumped Joel’s shoulder with hers.
“We already did before coming here, actually,” Nathan said casually.
“Nathan!” I widened my eyes at him. He grabbed the check and laughed when he saw the raw mortification on my face. Joel wanted to split the bill, but Nathan refused.
“Ha! I dig thechuffedNate,” Joel said, bumping his fist on the table. “Keep up the good work, Billie. I’d like the free meals to keep rolling out.”
“Don’t get too excited,” Nathan replied with a lifted brow and a subtle laugh. “I’m not dating you.”
“Are you trying to make me jealous?” Joel replied with a grin. “Because it’s working.”
“Ugh,” Lily complained, sticking her tongue out, faking disgust. “You better get used to the bromance, Billie. It’s deeply ingrained.” They both laughed. They didn’t deny it. “So, any word from outside?” Lily asked me. I pulled my phone out of my bag to check.
We couldn’t see what was happening outside on the street from where we sat. The guys usually texted me to let me know if any paparazzi were waiting for Lily and Joel to step out. If there were, Nathan and I would leave first and get in the car. Joel and Lily would follow behind. That way, it was easier to get everyone safely back in the car.
“Coast is clear,” I replied, tucking my phone back in my bag.
The four of us stood up and stepped out of the restaurant together.
“I have a fitting to get too. It’s only a few blocks away,” Lily said. “Joel’s coming with me, so I guess we’ll see you later?” Lily and Joel thanked Nathan for taking care of the check again. I hugged Lily, and a few screams coming from afar startled us.
A small group of teenage girls walking down the street were more than excited to see Joel. They begged him for selfies. Lily took a few steps away from them with an angry pout. David was already behind the wheel. Aaron and Caleb lingered close by, making sure the situation was under control.
Joel, a total sweetheart, agreed to the girls’ request for a photograph. Lily, Nathan, and I watched as the girls took their selfies. They all thanked Joel, and one of them grabbed him by the shirt, got on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the lips. I cringed.
“Thank you, girls! Have a nice day!” Joel seemed flustered. He took a few steps back, shaking his head with a troubled expression on his face. Lily wasfurious. She turned around and stalked away. Nathan would laugh and tease Joel about it every single time. But not this time. It’d been too much for Lily.
“Sötnos!” Joel cried. But Lily kept walking. “You should see what it’s like to go out with Billy. This is nothing.” He apologized for having to leave like that and ran to catch up with Lily.
That was crazy.
I still couldn’t hear William being mentioned without gettingthe collywobbles, as Nathan liked to say.
“Let’s go.” Nathan grabbed my shoulders and led me to the car.
“What’ssötnos?” I asked, stepping into the car. I’d heard Joel call Lily that before, but I never asked about it.
