Page 24 of Love to Prove You Wrong

“And can you sign something for me as well?”

Another girl pushed to the table, almost knocking my glass of water over. “Oh, will you follow me on Instagram?”

So maybe these girls didn’t have manners at all. They certainly didn’t look like they were planning on leaving us alone soon.

Justin threw me an apologetic look, then slipped into his role of Hollywood star to please his excited fans.

And just like that, the magical moment we had shared was gone.

Chapter Eight

“I’m so sorry about that,” Justin said as he slammed the door of his car shut.

After those girls had approached him at our table, word had spread, and we had to flee Roger’s after an hour of being constantly interrupted. I didn’t even get the chance to watch Justin make a fool of himself on the mechanical bull, nor could I taste the strawberry cheesecake that was supposed to be ‘exquisite’ according to the waitress.

I didn’t mind leaving, though. While Justin got showered with attention, I just sat there, watching the entire thing. No one cared that I was sitting at the same table. They only had eyes for him. Which, in a way, I had to admit was understandable. He was the famous actor, whereas I was an unknown small-town girl.

Kudos to Justin, though. He was a master of staying friendly and patient, signing autographs, posing for selfies… How it didn’t drive him crazy, I had no clue.

I wedged my purse between my feet and clicked my seatbelt into place. “It almost felt like a zombie apocalypse in there, the way those girls came at you in a never-ending stream of swoons and screams.”

“I didn’t think people would recognize me around here,” he said.

He looked genuinely confused, even though I couldn’t figure out why. Surely, he must realize how famous he was?

“You might want to start the car,” I said, nodding toward a new group of women. Their star-thirsty eyes scanned the parking lot, no doubt hoping to catch a glimpse of Justin and turn his car over or something.

He gripped the steering wheel tight and gunned it back to Old Pine Cove. But instead of dropping me off at the inn, he continued driving.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“I know a place where no one will be able to find us. Unless they’re Old Pine Cove townies, which those women certainly aren’t.”

“Um, okay,” I said, shifting in my seat.

He eyed me and threw me an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing creepy.”

“Now I am truly worried,” I said.

He laughed, keeping his eyes on the road. He took a left at the snow globe factory, heading for a place I’d heard of when I was in high school, but had never visited.

The narrow road snaked up the east side of the mountain, but the car had no problem keeping a steady grip. Pine trees lined the mountainside, standing tall and unmoving in the moonlight.

We were enveloped in a bubble of silence. The car was electric, so there were no roaring engine sounds, and Justin had stopped talking as well. It didn’t feel awkward or weird to sit beside him in complete silence. It was almost as if the air between us grew more relaxed, yet more electrified the further up the mountain we went.

When Justin pulled into a clearing overlooking the town I called home, I swallowed. “You brought me to The Pine Lookout.”

The spot was well-known amongst Old Pine Cove teens, as most of them had lost their virginity there. Not me, of course. No one had ever taken me up there before. I only knew the place existed because my friends used to talk about it.

“Relax, Addy. I’m not trying to get into your pants,” Justin said, letting out a hearty laugh.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. “First of all, you say it like you’re repulsed by the idea of getting into my pants. And second… I wouldn’t let you in even if you wanted to.”

Justin turned off the engine and turned to me. “Woah, repulsed? I never said that.”

“No, but your tone indicated it.”

He pinched his brows together. “My tone indicated nothing, Addy. All I wanted to accomplish was you feeling safe around me. I need to ask, do you hate all men, or just me?”

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