“I’d love that. I could use a break, and I have a feeling we’re going to need one after tonight.”
I look out the window across the room where the paparazzi are pressing their camera lenses as close to the glass as they can to try to find us in here, but the windows are tinted so it’s not possible.
Linc watches as I eat another chip.
“What?” I ask.
“How do you not get fat?” he lets out a chuckle.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m active. I work out a couple times a week.”
“Yeah, but you eat more than your weight in food in a week,” Linc teases.
“Exaggerate much?”
“I’m not sure I am. Truly. And what you eat is so fucking unhealthy most of the time. Cookies. Cake. Chips.”
“You’re just jealous you can’t eat like I do. It’s not my fault you chose to be a fighter, you know,” I chide.
“You’re a dick,” he says with a laugh. “Yeah, I wish I could sit down and eat an entire cake like I used to, but now—especially now—I need to stick to my regimen.”
“You got in? Already?”
He nods.
“Congrats, babe. I’m so proud of you.”
“I don’t know when I’ll be put in for a fight, but I’m at least on board.”
We’re half-way through our meal when I hear it.
Click. Click. Click.
“Motherfucker,” Linc curses.
I flag down the waiter and request to speak to the manager. Within minutes he’s there.
“The gentleman two tables over is paparazzi, and he’s been taking our photos for the last few minutes. We came here because we’re normally guaranteed privacy,” I tell the manager.
“I apologize, Mr. Ashcroft. Mr. Ramirez. I’ll be sure to take care of this immediately. There are no paparazzi cameras allowed in here. I’d like to pay for your dinner personally,” he offers.
“That’s not necessary,” I reply.
“I insist, sir. I want you to know we will always do our best to ensure your privacy.”
“Thank you. We know, and we’ll come back. I just want to see you kick that asshole out of here after wiping his camera clean,” Linc tells him with a smirk.
“It will be my pleasure.” The manager is a large man, well over six feet, and he’s not one of those lanky tall men either.
“I’m already hating this shit,” Linc admits.
“Me too, but it’s our life. It will always be this way, especially when the news breaks out that you’ve moved up.”
“I know. But it’ll die down fast, I’m sure.”
Yeah. I’m not at all happy being this exposed, but Linc is worth it. I just wish we hadn’t waited so long. Hell, our relationship is bigger news than Xander and Tera who just made it public and had an interview with Rolling Stone.
I sigh.
