‘We won’t be long, just a few more minutes.’ He slipped his arm fully around me as I sank into the plump cushions. ‘You don’t have to say anything. This interview is about me, not us.’
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the journalist wilt.
Well, hey – if all he wanted was for me to sit beside him, that I could do.
The warmth of his arm around me was enough to calm the nerves I had thought were going to send me into a panic. I breathed him in, his scent calming like nothing else, and felt my heart rate slow.
‘This is Gina Heart. She’s interviewing me ahead of our Southeast Asia tour,’ Patrick said politely, all smooth and professional.
I tried to smile, even as my spirits sank.
The Southeast Asia tour. Somehow, I had completely managed to forget that after the Songwriter Awards, after our contract had come to an end, Patrick wouldn’t be able to keep seeing me. He wouldn’t even be staying in the country.
The reminder of the hard, and fast approaching, end to our agreement made me nauseous.
Patrick would be gone, and I’d be left here, left to my real life. It was going to feel so empty without him.
In that moment, I realized I wanted him all to myself. Why should I have to share him when I had such little time with him already?
Unaware of my racing thoughts, Gina picked up the interview where they’d left off.
‘So, Patrick, we were talking about the lyrics on your latest album,’ Gina said, effortlessly shifting back into interview mode. ‘I know our readers will be fascinated to learn about the lyrics of ‘Adventure’. It’s a song that I think is quite close to your heart, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah, that was a song that came together in just one day,’ Patrick said, his voice level and warm, just enough to beprofessional, and just distant enough to ensure that this Gina woman wouldn’t get any ideas –
Not that I was paying attention.
‘I think the central message of that song is the realization that, actually, to live is itself the greatest adventure,’ Patrick continued. ‘The choices you make; the decisions that take you down different roads … I am the greatest adventure that I will ever take.’
It was so … so lyrical. So thoughtful.
Here was another part of Patrick I had never known – had guessed at, sure, but to hear him speak about it so eloquently, so calmly, and without any preparation, without knowing what questions he would be faced with …
My admiration of him, if possible, grew. I couldn’t imagine being able to pull words together so beautifully.
‘And I know our time is over, but I just wanted to ask one more question, if I may,’ Gina said, making sure her phone was angled towards him. Towards us.
Patrick nodded. ‘Sure.’
‘It hasn’t escaped your numerous fans that you’re in a new romantic relationship,’ the journalist said brightly, gaze flickering curiously at me. ‘Butterflies, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes. It’s a great app,’ Patrick said easily, no hint of embarrassment on his face. ‘Jessy’s sister, Laura, created it, and it’s really impressive stuff. Everyone should check it out.’
Laura was going to go nuts when I told her about this.
‘I know Ms Donovan won’t be answering questions –’
‘She won’t,’ Patrick interjected quietly.
It felt addictive, to be so protected.
‘I just wondered if you could give us something, Patrick,anything about Jessy and your new relationship,’ Gina said determinedly.
I mean, it was her job.
Before I could stop and think how this would look, I placed a hand on Patrick’s thigh and gave him a small smile.
His smile was bigger, warmer, and it made my cheeks burn, my eyes dropping at the intensity of his gaze.
