Page 15 of The Expiration Date

“Aidan, who is with you? New girlfriend?”

My eyes blink at an uncontrollable rate. How does he do this all the time? I feel his hand tighten around mine as he pulls me further onto the red carpet. Once we are out of the initial chaos, Aidan turns his head to look at me, clearly seeing how flustered I am. He pulls me closer so I am in his nook, right in the side of his chest. I feel his hand slide down to my waist and it rests perfectly at the crux of my waist and my butt.

This isn’t helping my flustered state. It’s only amplifying these butterflies in my stomach.

While still smiling at the cameras, Aidan lowers his chin so his lips lightly brush the side of my face. It’s so loud around us that I barely make out what he says in my ear, “Relax. I got you. Don’t worry, Hales.”

I didn’t realize until this moment how much he relaxes me. No one else in the world does that. That thought makes me smile. Cameras flash more and more. This is an act. I need to act like we are dating and falling in love.

Just keep smiling, I remind myself. Even when Aidan has to step away for interviews, I keep a smile plastered on my face. The press call out to me:

“Hey sweetheart! You got a name?”

“Are you and Aidan a couple?”

“Hey Aidan’s date, over here!”

Anytime I feel the slightest bit overwhelmed, Aidan’s eyes seem to find mine. It’s like he has a sixth sense whenever I feel uncomfortable or out of my element– to be honest, is the majority of the time I am on this red carpet. I’m starting to feel disoriented with all the yelling and the flashing of the cameras. I have to remember to breathe. I probably look like a puppy dog following Aidan around. He is busy signing autographs on movie posters or People magazine or really any body parts fans want him to sign his name. He takes a few selfies with crazed-out fangirls who practically faint in his presence.

One of the last interviews Aidan has to do is for E! News. Thank God this is almost over. I can’t wait to hide in the dark theater and recover. My introverted self is craving much-needed alone time after this whole event. I am twiddling with my fingers in front of my gorgeous lavender gown when a question cuts through all the noise: “So, Aidan, who is this mysterious girl you brought with you to the premiere?”

Aidan turns toward me and gestures for me to come over. No. No. No. No. No. No. I shake my head slightly to ward off his request. My body has gone into some sort of paralysis as a defense mechanism. It’s like I am malfunctioning. Too much socialization and spotlight for me. Why in the world did I agree to do this? I am not a part of this world. I am an imposter in a lavender dress.

He holds a finger up to the interviewer and walks–no, more like saunters– over and whispers to me, “This is my last interview. I think it’s time that the world met my girlfriend.” He grabs my hand and before I have a chance to protest, leads me over to where the reporter is patiently waiting. Other reporters from various networks are huddled behind the E! News reporter, anxiously awaiting Aidan’s response.

Aidan flashes his superstar smile and says, “Well I guess the cat’s out of the bag now, isn’t it John? This is my gorgeous girlfriend, Haley Swann.”

At that moment, I know my life will never be the same. My name will be printed on all the tabloids, posted on Instagram, X…everywhere. There is no hiding now. It is one of those moments where there is so much chaos and noise all at once, that everything becomes a blur. It is like all the voices are muffled and they start to sound like the grown-ups on Charlie Brown. Microphones are being shoved into my face and cameras are clicking at a wild rate. I do my best to force a smile and make it seem natural. Even though nothing about this whole scenario–hell, about my life right now–is natural. Aidan must sense that I am getting lost again because he waves to the crowd and wraps his free hand around my waist once more to lead me toward the theater entrance.

“One more picture, Aidan, please! With Ms. Swann?”

Aidan leans down and asks: “Trust me?”

For some inexplicable reason, I nod. How is it that deep down, I know that Aidan will always protect me? Even before I was pretending to be his girlfriend, my gut told me that I could trust Aidan with anything.

He slowly bends over more and touches his lips to my cheek. So innocent. So sweet. And yet the crowd whoops and hollers, acting like we are in the middle of a steamy makeout session.

It is the reaction from my body that I’m not expecting. The shivers that travel across my entire body are nearly too much to bear. And yet, I find myself wishing that his lips would stay in that very spot for a second longer. Snap out of it, Haley! Aidan is only doing this for the cameras so the world will be convinced that we are a legit couple.

Once we escape into the theater, Aidan pauses. “You look absolutely stunning, Hales. And you did so good out there. You’re a real natural.” He places his forehead to mine, causing a genuine smile to escape my lips.

9

“The film was amazing, Aidan, really.”

“Thanks Hales, that means a lot coming from someone who has never watched my movies.” He opens the door to the limo, snickering in the process. He turns toward the flood of paparazzi for one final shot before following me into the car.

I scoff as he shuts the door. “Okay, you are being dramatic. I haven’t watched your last film. I’ve been a little busy with my boss’s schedule. He’s been quite demanding lately.”

“Fair enough.” He laughs a little. “Again, I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain in the ass lately.”

“Aidan, I was just kidding. It’s fine.”

“It’s not. But you’re sweet for saying so.” He scoots closer to me in the limo. Did he forget we’re not in the public eye right now? No one except the driver can see us.

I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to Aidan being so close to me. His cologne is honestly the most delicious, masculine scent I’ve ever smelled. I am keenly aware of all things Aidan. My proximity to him for the past week has made it impossible for me not to notice these small things about him. How when you actually look closely, his eyes have the smallest hint of green in them, rendering them teal instead of ordinary blue. How he has the most pronounced jawline I’ve ever seen in my life, even under all the stubble. He has lines by the outer corners of his eyes that deepen when he smiles, which has actually been a lot this past week. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile so much, even when he was with Natasha. I wonder what has changed? Maybe he has relaxed, knowing that the perception of him will become more positive thanks to our little agreement. I mean that’s the point, right?

I cleared my throat. “So, I just want to thank you for having a stylist help me get ready and for flying out Rachel to help with my makeup. I wouldn’t know the first thing to do with that. At least I didn’t look like a troll next to you tonight. I looked somewhat decent.”

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