Page 60 of The Press Secretary's Passion
“Really? Because I think I’m hilarious.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You ready now?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
And then he climbs down from the driver seat and places his cover on his head. Then he walks around the hood and opens the passenger door for me. He holds a hand out for me, and I take it without hesitation and let him help me down from the giant SUV he drives.
Ryan keeps my hand in his, and we walk into the restaurant’s front door. While normally we would go through the back like usual, this week, we’re baby-step dating for the world to watch. It’s frustrating, because it feels like we were in these beginning stages months ago, and now we’re running as fast as we can to catch up.
Last night, Ryan repeated his words of last week that we’re going to get married in the near future. It still surprises the hell out of me when he says it, and he brings it up as often as he can. I think he’s hoping I get used to the idea so it will happen sooner rather than later.
There are a handful of photographers standing outside the restaurant. Someone must have tipped them off, and I have a funny feeling that someone was Rick. He does excel at such duplicitous actions, after all. Cameras flash, and they call out our names.
“Jules! Jules!” someone shouts.
“Captain Black! Is it true you’re date Ms. Fairchild?”
“I think that’s pretty obvious,” he answers with a happy smile on his face. His southern drawl is enunciated, so he sounds like a friendly, good-time guy.
Ryan pulls open the front door of the restaurant for me as someone shouts another question. “Are you the man in the video?”
I hold my breath and wonder what he’s going to say. I know he said he wasn’t the kind of guy to let his woman take the fall for him, but I also explained I’m not the kind of woman to ruin a man’s career, unintentionally or otherwise. I was pretty sure we had come to an understanding, but the moment of truth is now upon us. Thankfully, he doesn’t keep me waiting long.
“No.” His voice is clear and calm. If I didn’t know better, I would swear he was telling the truth. He’s that damn good.
“Does it bother you that there is a sex tape that’s gone viral of your new girlfriend and another man?” a reporter asks.
“Yeah,” Ryan answers flawlessly. “It does bother me. Jules did not make that tape, as she’s already mentioned in previous statements. So someone made it and released it without her knowledge, and it’s a crying shame that someone would sink that low. Jules is an honorable and kind woman, which is why I’m involved with her. She does not deserve to be treated this way. Now, if you’ll excuse us. We don’t have too much time for lunch today.”
And then he removes his cover and steps inside after me.
He is perfection.
The hostess shows us to our table and offers us menus, but Ryan declines them. Instead, he proves that not only has he been into me, but he’s also paid attention when he orders my favorite meal for me and then his usual for himself. All while I sit surprised.
“What?” he asks with a smile playing about his mouth that is very handsome when the waitress walks away.
“You know me,” I blurt out.
“I pay attention,” he says casually. “I like to take care of what’s mine, and that comes with proper care and attention.”
“Shit,” I mumble. “You’re a good guy.”
“I sure do try,” he replies, and then the waitress brings our glasses of iced tea to the table. I take a sip of what I think is mine, and it’s so sweet I think all my teeth might fall out.
“Yikes,” I mutter, pushing his glass across the table to him as he makes a funny face and pushes my unsweet tea to me.
“I don’t know how you can drink that stuff.” He laughs. “It’s so bitter.”
“This from the guy who takes his coffee black,” I say with a smile.
“Coffee should put hair on your chest, whiskey should burn it back off again, and tea should be sweet just like your mama,” he offers.
“I guess my mama’s not very sweet,” I admit.
“Since I’ve met her once or twice when I was working for Jake, I can agree with you there,” he says, and I feel my cheeks heat. I hate that he knows my parents and that I come from that family. No wonder he didn’t want to want me in the beginning; he knew I was born in a viper’s den.
