Page 70 of You. Me. Us.

Ignoring the disappointed grumbles and shouted questions from the man who’d walked out, Julius tugged Hillary down the sidewalk, his mind racing as he tried to figure out how to do damage control. He’d let his heart override his head, and now they were both going to have to deal with the fallout.

But it was worth it, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind. To finally have her in your arms, to know she feels the same way... it was worth any price.Even if you walked away.

You walked away because of things like this. She needs to find her way in the world you threw her in to.

“Fuck,” he hissed, still holding her hand as they walked down the street.

Doubt and despair washed over him as he pulled away from her. His mind raced with an onslaught of emotions—shock, regret, and a sudden realization that he’d made an uncharacteristic mistake. Julius had always been careful about his public image, avoiding controversy at all costs. Now, they were both in the middle of a media storm they hadn’t anticipated. He felt bad for pulling her into this mess without thinking about the consequences.

Looking around, he saw the stares piercing into his back like knives. The paparazzi were already on their way, their cameras flashing in the distance as if summoned by a silent call. He led her to his car, they hurriedly got inside, shutting the doorsbehind them. The click of the locks was an audible exhale for both of them.

It was the first time he’d driven her any where in New York himself, and he shouldn’t even have focused on that.

“I am so sorry,” he started, running a hand through his hair. “That cannot happen again.” His voice was stern but gentle, trying to convey his concern for her safety without sounding patronizing. “We need to get you some security for future events like these,” he continued quickly, reaching over to take her hands in his. “You deserve someone watching your back while you work.”

Hillary looked up at him with wide eyes filled with confusion and fear mixed together. He didn’t know what was happening or how they ended up in this situation. All he knew was that it felt wrong on every level to be at odds with her.

She nodded slowly as Julius continued speaking, likely trying to make sense of the situation herself.

As they pulled away from the curb, Julius rubbed his forehead with one hand while keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel with the other. The taste of her lips lingered on his own, leaving an indelible mark that he couldn’t seem to shake off no matter how hard he tried. He cursed himself for losing control like that. It wasn’t like him at all. But then again, she was different from anyone he’d ever met before and seemed to lead him to do things he’d never done before.

Julius drove aimlessly through downtown streets looking for solace or answers or both. He wasn’t sure which one he needed more right now. All he knew was that things couldn’t go back to normal between them after this incident. Too much had changed between them already, both personally and professionally speaking.

“Tell me you get how dangerous it is to be alone now?”

“I get it,” the single sentence rushed out on a single breath and seemed to strike him down.

“Are you okay?” He turned to glance at her at a light.

“I am. Foolish, but okay.”

He let his hand slide over the console to take hers, the sensation nearly breaking him. “I’m sorry, Hillary. You deserve to navigate this without also hiding a relationship. I fucked up thinking I was what was best for you. We’ll get you that security team and I’ll see you at the premiere in a few months.”

She said nothing, and the rest of the drive was done in utter silence and he wasn’t certain he could ever be alone with her again.

thirty

. . .

The noisy Dunkin’cafe with the energy of businessman chatter as Hillary leaned forward, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. Across from her, Ethan sat back in his chair, his blue eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and confidence.

Her entire would had been turned upside down, but meeting with the cast was the one time she didn’t feel the need to call on the hired secured her agent helped her nail down.

Which is why she’d gone out to meet Ethan before the next press interview. To feel safe, as odd as that might be when associating with the man who screwed her over.

“So, if the press asks about us,” Hillary began, her voice tentative yet curious, “what’s the best way to handle it? I mean, given your experience and all.”

Ethan chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Well, it’s all about being strategic, you know? Giving them just enough to keep them interested without revealing too much. They’re likely going to ask if it’s happened again, no one believes stories the first time around and everyone loves a good on-set romance. The press is going to want it to have been true.”

Hillary nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. She had been mulling over potential responses all week, carefully crafting statements that would satisfy the media’s hunger while preserving her privacy. Something she’d barely had since returning from filming.

“I was thinking,” she ventured, “maybe something along the lines of ‘Ethan and I are good friends.’ It’s honest but doesn’t invite too much speculation.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a calculating glint flashing across his face. “That’s not bad, but I have a better idea,” he said, leaning in conspiratorially. “Why don’t we hint at a potential romance? Nothing too overt, just enough to keep them guessing. It’ll generate buzz and keep your name in the headlines.”

Hillary’s brow furrowed, a sense of unease settling in her gut. That wasn’t at all what she had suggested. In fact, it was the exact opposite of what she wanted - to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.

“I don’t know, Ethan,” she hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that. It feels a bit...manipulative.”

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