Not If I Date You First

Chapter 16

"Maybe just try not smiling at all," Liam suggests. "Shoot for proud and indifferent. That seems like something you could pull off."

I bite my tongue to keep from snapping at him as Briggs motions Elodie and Wesley forward, holding the door open for them.

"Good luck." Elodie squeezes my arm as she sashays past. A barrage of light floods my vision as Elodie and Wesley walk out. I can just make out their silhouettes against the blaze. The same panicky feeling I had at the Met clamps around my chest. My breaths turn shallow, and my hands begin to tremble. Liam turns to face me as the cameras zero in on us.

"You all right?" I look up at him, trying to concentrate on his eyes, but the glittering, reflected lights I see there send sparks of panic flickering through me. Liam sighs and inclines his head toward me. He's so close, his breath tickles my neck, making me shiver as he says, "You're safe. Briggs is the best. He won't let anything happen."

His expression turns soft, almost comforting. I know he's putting on a show for the photogs watching us through the open door, but some of my anxiety eases anyway and my breathing starts to slow. I square my shoulders, trying to shake off the tension.

"Okay," I breathe, "let's do this." I turn to face the sea of flashbulbs. Liam is right next to me. His broad hand wraps around my waist, and I lean into him as we step out onto the sidewalk and into a flurry of light and sound. Liam's name rings out in every direction, but my own echoes through the crowd as well. I'm distantly aware of the honking horns and sounds of the city that permeate the night, but they feel far away, out of focus. The only things that seem real are the throng of people pushing in on us and the warmth of Liam's hand around me.

I try to keep a neutral expression on my face as I scan the swarm of people for any photographers I recognize from Huntley. But the contrast of the bright lights and the inky sky makes my eyes burn. I can barely see. Briggs and the other security guards keep between us and the mob, forcing them to stay back. Hands reach from all directions, but they don't let anyone make contact.

It can't take more than a minute, but it feels like hours before we make it to the waiting town car. The shiny paint is nothing but rebounding light. I can't even tell what color it is. Briggs swings the door open, and Elodie and Wes climb in. Liam's palm drifts to the small of my back, as I duck inside and scoot to the other side of the bench seat so he can climb in after me. Briggs slams the door behind Liam, muffling the sound outside. It's like having cotton stuffed in my ears.

"That was awesome!" Elodie cries.

I gaze past Liam, blinking numbly at the horde surrounding us. People are crying, leaving smudged fingerprints across the windows as they attempt to get closer to Liam and Wesley. Paps push their cameras right against the window, trying to take shots inside the car.

Liam waves a hand in front of my face. "Don't go into shock on me over there."

I try to laugh, but it comes out like a squawk. Briggs dives into the passenger seat as the driver begins edging through the masses and out into the street.

"You okay?" Liam sounds almost concerned. I take a shaky inhale, breathing in the rich scent of new car and leather.

"I'm fine. That was—" I pause, searching for the right word. "Intense. How long did it take you to get used to that?"

The light sparking in Liam's eyes dims, and he looks down at the floor. "I haven't. That isn't something you ever get used to."

He doesn't say he has to deal with the fear and frenzy I just experienced, because of the paparazzi. Because of people like me. But the thought is there, written in the hunted look in his eyes. Guilt flickers inside my chest, but I push it down. That's a problem for future Ada to deal with. I've committed to seeing this internship through, and that's all I can allow myself to focus on right now.