When we finally make it outside and the California sunshine hits my face, I’m instantly grateful for the sunglasses. The air is drier than back home, with a hint of something else I can’t quite place.
“This way,” Evo states as Rowan guides me toward a sleek black SUV with tinted windows.
The giant bodyguard opens the door, and we quickly slide into the back seat. The leather is cool against my skin as I sink into it, finally able to breathe now that we’re away from the cameras.
My heart is racing a million miles an hour. “Talk aboutintense.”
“Sorry about that.” Rowan takes off his hat and runs a hand through his hair. “I expected a few paps, but not that many. Someone must have tipped them off.”
“Is it always like that?”
“Not always.” He gives me an apologetic smile. “You okay?”
I nod, turning to look out the window as Evo pulls away from the curb. Los Angeles is all palm trees, gleaming buildings, and endless traffic. Not only is it exactly what I expected, it’s nothing like I imagined either.
“How long till we get to your place?” I ask, trying not to think about the fact that I’m about to spend the weekend with Rowan at his house. Alone.
“About forty minutes, traffic permitting,” he says, checking his phone. “Hungry?”
“Starving, actually.”
Rowan grins. “Evo, let’s make a stop at In-N-Out.”
“Of course, Mr. Cole,” his deep voice rumbles from the driver’s seat.
I’ve heard of In-N-Out, obviously. Everyone has. But we don’t have them back home, and I’ve always wanted to try one of their burgers.
“I figured you’d be into fancy restaurants,” I retort, trying to sound calm, even though I’m still reeling from being ambushed by the paparazzi. “Now that you’ve gone all Hollywood on us and shit.”
“Nope,” Rowan chuckles, shaking his head. “First thing I do whenever I come back to L.A. is grab an In-N-Out burger. Some traditions are sacred.”
As we weave through traffic, I stare out the window, taking in the palm trees and billboards featuring faces I recognize from movies and TV shows. It’s surreal being here with Rowan. I can’t help but think about how different our lives have become.
“So this is your world,” I murmur, more to myself than to him.
“Part of it,” he replies, tone softer than before. Sunglasses perched on top of his head, he’s watching me with an expression I can’t quite read. “It’s not spotlights and red carpets all the time.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
“Trust me.” Rowan gives me a wry smile. “Even after all these years, there are times I still feel like that twelve-year-old kid who grew up in Lakeside.”
It’s not until he squeezes my hand that I realize he’s been holding it this whole time.
The drive to In-N-Out doesn’t take long. When we pull intothe parking lot, I can smell the delicious aroma of grilled burgers and fresh fries.
“Wait here,” Rowan says, putting his hat and sunglasses back on as Evo rounds the car to open his door. “We’ll grab the food.”
“I can come with?—”
“No,” he cuts me off gently. “Stay in the car. This isn’t about us being seen together right now.”
All I can do is watch, waiting patiently as they head inside.
Through the windshield, I can see Rowan ordering, completely at ease despite a few people doing double-takes. A teenage girl approaches him tentatively, phone in hand. He gives her a warm smile, posing for a selfie before returning to the counter.
It’s so weird seeing him like this—in his element as Rowan Cole, movie star—the boy I once knew replaced by this confident man who seems to navigate the price of fame with ease.
Ten minutes later, they return with bags of food that fill the car with a multitude of mouthwatering aromas.
