Page 44 of Unscripted with Mila

“Is there a chance it’s not for you?” I asked, trying to keep the mood light. “Perhaps another celebrity is staying at the hotel that they’re after.”

He ran a hand through his hair. “No, I recognized one group. They’re after me constantly. In my face. Screaming things, taunting me. Trying to get me angry so I’ll say or do something stupid and they can catch it on film.”

“Has that happened?”

He sighed, leaning his head back on the leather. “Yes. A couple of times.”

He looked over at me. “My windows are tinted, but they’ll be able to look through the front and see you there. I know you don’t want that, and I certainly don’t want them splashing your picture around and making remarks.”

“Then I’ll get out and walk. They don’t know me, so I’ll go right past them and into the entrance. I have my guest pass. You wait and drive in a few moments later.”

“I don’t want you walking.”

I laughed. “Nick, I walk a lot. I’ve been for walks here. It’s perfectly safe.”

“I’m back to Nick?” he asked, lifting one eyebrow.

“I think the other is for, ah, special occasions.”

He grinned. “I like special occasions with you.” Then he became serious again.

“I should be escorting you back to the hotel.”

“You can watch. Make sure I get in the gate. Give it ten minutes and drive through. If they take a picture of you, you’ll be alone.” I glanced over my shoulder. “Or I can crawl in the back seat and cover myself with the blanket.”

“Not fucking likely.”

“Walking, it is.”

I put my hand on the door, and he leaned over, stopping me.

“Mila…”

“What?”

His eyes were filled with turbulence. His eye color was listed as brown, but his irises were anything but plain. Up close, they were almost cognac in color, with a dark-brown rim. Gold and green flecks made them even more unusual. They held so much pain at the moment it made me ache.

“What is it, Nicky?”

“I don’t want you to go. I want to talk to you more.”

“I’ll meet you at the pool.”

A relieved smile crossed his face. “Yes. Perfect.” He glanced at the people milling on the sidewalk a few blocks down with a frown. “With them around, this is going to be even harder than before.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

He kissed me swiftly, then drove past the hotel again, parking so I couldn’t be seen getting out of the car.

“An hour?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

I scrambled out, shutting the door, then headed toward the hotel. I saw Nick turn the car around so he was facing the gates, and I knew he was watching me. Making sure I got in safe. I slid my hand into my pocket, finding the pass, and strolled past the photographers. As I suspected, they didn’t give me another glance. I was invisible. A nobody.

The guard on the gate recognized me and opened it before I showed him my pass. He nodded and I stopped. “What is all this?” I asked innocently.