Page 86 of Sky Full of Stars

We exchange numbers and head back out. I’m glad Adam invited her along, she is so nice and I want to tell her that I see the way Nick looks at her too but not yet. Something tells me she is too afraid to hope there is more. As we come back into the restaurant there are two women at the table, one hovering with her hand on Adam’s arm. He is looking up at her but his expression isn’t happy to see her. Not another one.

“Who is that?” I lean into Elsa.

“Urgh, her name is Lenora, she’s some model from Switzerland or somewhere. Nick told me she’s been desperate to get with one of them. Don’t worry,” she adds. “Aidan’s not interested. Nick says he complains about her.”

I look at the woman, she’s tall, thin and gorgeous, everything you would expect from a model. Before Adam notices me, he shifts away from her so her hand is no longer touching him and says something to her, from his expression it isn’t something that invites further conversation. His eyes turn to me. I smile at him, relief passes through his eyes. He is worried I’m going to freak out again, but I’m not scared anymore. I’m not letting this bitch try anything with him either. I sit down and he turns his attention to me, putting his arm back around me. I glance up to see fury in her eyes.

“It was good to see you again,” Arch tells her, his tone leaving no doubt she is being dismissed. For a second she hovers but her friend nods her head, telling her to leave. Eventually she does but not before giving me daggers. I smile sweetly at her.

Arch sees it and laughs loudly. “Oh she hates you,” he says to me.

“My girl has balls,” Elsa smiles at me. “That primped up gazelle has nothing on Jenna. And this girl doesn’t take any shit.”

Nick pretends to throw some punches and I put my face in my hands in embarrassment, everyone laughs. We spend another couple of hours in the restaurant, it no longer feels strange to be around them. They’re just people, like Keira and Adam keep telling me. By the end of the night I feel like I’ve become a part of their family. As we’re getting ready to leave Adam goes to the bathroom, Arch turns to me.

“Ad said we’re gonna see you in London.”

I nod. “I’m doing a European tour myself, we’ve worked it so I’m there at the same time.”

“That’s great,” he leans to the side, one arm on the back of his chair and studies me for a moment. “He’s like a big kid at the thought of you seeing the show. I’ve known him since we were two years old, been through a lot of shit with him. Good and bad. You don’t need to worry about him on this tour.”

“I’m not worried.”

He narrows his eyes and I get the feeling he knows about my discovery about Erica. It shouldn’t surprise me, they’re best friends after all. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him this happy. I know it’s because of you.” I flush again and curse myself for blushing so much all the time. “He’s pushing this New York thing because of you, you know that right?”

“Is it a problem?” I ask.

He contemplates me and I feel like I’ve passed some kind of test. I don’t freak or worry, I don’t feel I need to. It’s not my decision where they record their next album and I won’t push Adam to do that and alienate his band.

“Not at all, in fact I think it’s a good idea to get away from LA. Year round sunshine is overrated,” he laughs. “Plus we have family there, it’s a good call.” I grin at him. “And maybe we can all join that gym of yours and learn to kick ass too.”

“Sam doesn’t take any shit.”

“I’ve heard, that is why we’re not gonna invite Jordan. He has a built in need to flirt, he’d be kicked out in ten seconds.” We laugh again and Adam arrives back at the table.

“Jenna, Elsa, I’ve just called the car for you guys so you can escape,” he smiles at us.

Elsa kisses Nick and gets up, holding her hand out to me, she’s a little tipsy and as I stand I realise I am too, way too much champagne. We say our goodbyes and Adam hugs me to him, Elsa doesn’t let go of my hand though and stands next to us, Adam laughs at her but he kisses me and whispers he will hopefully only be ten minutes behind me, passing me a key.

“I want you naked in my bed,” he says, sending a shiver down my back.

“What about the other rooms,” I whisper back.

“They can wait. Tonight, you’re in my bed,” he kisses me again and my knees go weak.

“Come on, break it up you two,” Elsa pulls my hand. “The quicker we leave the quicker these boys can follow us home,” she winks at Nick.

“Is that an invitation?” Jordan shouts.

“No!” Nick, Elsa and Adam all yell at the same time.

Arch just shakes his head. “You’re stuck with me,” Arch tells him. “Our night isn’t over dude.” Jordan perks up at that.

“See you at home,” Adam says to me.

We say bye again and I ask Elsa about paying for the food. She snorts. “If you want to sell your house, your car and your body, you might be able to afford the champagne. Don’t worry, they have it covered. Perk of dating a rockstar.”

Outside, our car is waiting. I’ll never get used to this. The paparazzi is still lurking, the boys are gonna have to run the gauntlet again, I’m grateful to Adam for arranging this, as nice as it being home with him, it was good to get out.

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