[incoming call Gabrielle]
IVORY
I can’t talk right now.
GABRIELLE
ANSWER THE PHONE!
TAYLOR
We need details!
IVORY
We’re busy.
GABRIELLE
Oh, you’re a ‘we’ now. Too busy to talk to your friends?
TAYLOR
What she said! WTF. You can’t just drop this bomb on us and not share any other information.
IVORY
I’ll share soon enough. Gotta go!
GABRIELLE
Ivory don’t you dare!
TAYLOR
WEENY
IVORY
BYE!
Laughing, I turn my phone on silent and close out of my messages. Navigating to my social media account, I post the picture. I can’t think of a caption so I keep it simple: “Him ?”
“I think you should tag me.” Preston’s voice in my ear makes me jump.
Spinning around, I smack his chest. “Jesus Christ, you scared me!”
“It’s not my fault you weren’t paying attention.” He slides his arms around my waist pulling me into his chest. “What caption did you choose?” He tries to peek at my screen between us but I hide it from him.
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” This time, I talked to Preston before deciding to post the picture. Of course, he was fine with it and told me I didn’t need his permission but it still felt weird not asking for it. Unfortunately, this is bigger than thetwo of us merely announcing our relationship. There will be repercussions when we board the plane tomorrow.
“It would be easier to see if you tagged me,” he says again.
“Are you really sure you want me to do that? You saw the insanity by just including your hand in the picture.” One of Preston’s hands slides down to palm my ass. Moving the other up my body, Preston takes hold of my neck bringing my head closer to his. Resting his forehead on mine, he inhales deeply.
“You stubborn, stubborn woman.” His fingers tangle in my hair as he yanks my head back. “When are you going to hear me? When I say I don’t care about any of the circus that surrounds you or your status, I mean I don’t give a single fuck what anyone else has to say about our relationship. It doesn’t matter if they have an opinion. If it’s front page news, if my face is plastered beside yours. In fact, I hope it is because I’d be damn honored to be mentioned beside you.”
“I just want to protect you. I want to protect us. You are my safe space. I don’t want to ruin that. I don’t want to invite people into it and then lose this.” Preston’s eyes soften at my confession. Cupping my face, he brings me in for a chaste kiss.
