Page 122 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“I remind you this is all fake, Miss Murphy.” Aaron took a chip to his mouth.
“We’re staying in tomorrow night,” William said. “I’m going to cook for Guille, so you’ll be off duty the second half of the day, Aaron. And if you’re free, Naomi, you guys can go out on that first date and get started with the show.”
“This counts as work, so I’m always available for that,” Naomi said proudly.
Aaron frowned.
“So where are you taking me?” she asked in an overly excited tone that surely got on Aaron’s nerves.
“Liam’s new movie is in theaters right now,” I suggested with a grin.
“That sounds lovely.” Naomi looked at Aaron. “What do you think?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll talk to a few of my contacts and have them tip off their photographers anonymously so they can catch us leaving the theater.” Naomi winked at us. “Once these photos are out, I’ll issue a statement confirming our secret love and Aaron’s undying devotion.”
Aaron scoffed.
“I’ll take care of everything.” Naomi waved a carefree hand in front of her. “And with your two movie premieres coming up next month and in May, we’ll focus on getting some very loving photos of you two together on the red carpet, and we can kiss this drama goodbye once and for all.”
“Sounds good.” William knocked on the table and stood. “Have fun tomorrow.”
“Aaron? Can I … talk to you outside?”
“Yes, Miss Murphy.”
We said goodbye to Naomi, and William told me he’d wait for me upstairs at his apartment.
Aaron and I stepped out, and I closed the door behind us to have some privacy.
“For the record, this wasn’t my idea,” I said cowardly. It was the truth. It hadn’t been my idea, but I felt terrible about putting him in this position and involving him in my troubles. That’s why I wanted to apologize. “I’m sorry. Do you hate me?”
He chuckled. “My job is to take care of you, and in my head, this counts as such. I’m sure your father will appreciate the rumors and chatter coming to an end.”
“So you’ll survive this?”
“I know how to handle Miss Lieberman, yes.”
“And you won’t be secretly annoyed at me?”
He tilted his head and folded his arms at his chest. “We’ll see.”
May 17, 2011
School had beenout for a day, and I was still hungover from William’s weekend-long birthday bash at his house in the Hamptons. It was a huge celebration with all his family and many celebrity friends. William surprised me by filling our bedroom with beautiful white flowers to keep the tradition of the anniversary of my mother’s death on the 14th.
It was a lovely and thoughtful gesture on his part, and I couldn’t help but think how perfect it was that the universe had sent me William, whose birthday was the same day. Finding joy and love in a day that always used to be grey and lonely felt like a blessing. It was as if I could listen to my mom telling melife goes on without me, and it’s okay for you to be happy.
And even if that day would always make me emotional, at least now I’d always have a reason to cheer up by celebrating William on his day.
We were headed to one of William’s movie premieres. Between the emotional ups and downs, William’s celebration, handing in final projects, PMS, and nursing a mild cold, I wasn’t in the best mood ever. William insisted I skip the premiere and stay home and rest, but I knew he wanted me to come. He’d evenbought me a beautiful emerald green dress for the occasion.
Besides, he was leaving tomorrow to continue the press tour in Los Angeles, followed by a European leg consisting of Paris, London, and Rome world premieres. So, I wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before he left.
He was returning three days before the wedding, and Lily and Joel were very nervous about him cutting it too close. But William assured them it would be fine and that he’d arrive on time for all the pre-wedding events.
Cooper was driving us to the event. Aaron followed close behind in the SUV, and Hawthorne, William’s bodyguard, was probably tailing us discreetly. Tobias was out of town, but Eric, Joel, and Lily were joining us. Naomi, too.
