Page 93

“Should we go?” she eventually asks.

I genuinely hope what I told her earlier was enough because I never want her doubting herself for even a second.

I’m the one who should be questioning how the hell someone like her ended up with me.

Not the other way around.

The drive to the event passes with both of us going over the schedule for our own event—the one Thalia sent before we left.

The others are probably doing the exact same thing in their own cars right now.

My excitement for the new chain infected all of them. Every single one of us is impatient for the opening.

When we arrive, our driver stops the car and waits for the reporters to clear enough space for us to get out.

“You okay now?” I ask seriously, holding her hand.

“I’m ready,” she answers instead.

Again, something feels off.

But I don’t have time to figure out what because the car door opens a second later, and I step out.

I adjust my jacket, barely registering the reporters shouting questions at me. I haven’t given an interview since Sierra got swarmed by the media after she and Nick went public with their relationship.

And I have no intention of starting again.

Ever.

Without hesitation, I extend my hand to the open door.

That’s when the noise quiets slightly.

Because nobody expects me to have someone with me.

I’ve always attended events alone. The only pictures anyone ever got were of me leaving with a random woman or entering hotels beside one.

But I’ve never publicly claimed a relationship.

Mostly because I never had one worth claiming.

The moment Selene’s hand slips into mine, cameras begin flashing nonstop.

Then she steps out of the car and stands in front of me with that bright smile on her face.

A shiver runs through my entire body, and the press completely loses its mind.

Questions fly from every direction. Endless flashes. Cameras snapping without pause.

I try to stop myself because I know I probably shouldn’t hand the media an image like this so easily.

But I can’t.

So I lean down and kiss her there, in front of everyone.

A statement that doesn’t need words. Doesn’t need explanations.

Maybe it’s the insane need I’ve had to publicly claim her ever since she agreed to be mine that pushes me into doing it.