Page 132 of Stanton Adore

He smiles a sad smile. “I can’t…I mean I always wear suits in public here, baby.”

I frown. “Huh, why?”

He shrugs his shoulders. “I just do, you will get used to it.” How strange. I mean the man rocks a suit but to put one on to land at an airport…that’s just crazy talk.

Ben walks up the aisle to us. “Joshua, what are the arrangements?”

Josh bites his bottom lip and glances at me. “Natasha will go with Adrian, you, and Max in the first car and Cam and I will travel with Jim in the second.”

Ben frowns. “I think I should stay with you.”

“No, I want you with Tash. We will be one minute behind you, it will be fine.”

What are they talking about? “How come I can’t come with you?” I ask.

Joshua grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Because we can’t be photographed together until we tell your parents.” I slump down in my seat like a naughty child.

“Oh, right. Who would be at the airport at this time anyway?” He smiles and nods and for the first time since we have been together, I see an emotion in his eyes I haven’t seen before…pity.

Adrian grabs my hand as we walk across the tarmac with Ben in front and Max behind us. I turn and look at the plane.

“Isn’t Josh coming?” I ask.

Adrian lifts my hand up and kisses the back of it. “He will be out in a few minutes, Tash. Just don’t act like you know him if you see him.” Huh, why in the hell not? As we walk out of the airport through customs and toward the glass screen, I nearly stop dead in my tracks. There must be fifty photographers lined up against the glass, all waiting.

I hesitate and Adrian jerks me forward. “Act normal or they will know.” OK, what in the hell is he talking about now? Have I missed part of the conversation? I nod and continue forward to the black Audi wagon parked outside. Adrian ushers me to the car and opens the door for me to climb in, hmm, smell the leather. This car is new; it has that new car smell. I scramble over the seat and look out of the dark tinted windows toward the airport hoping to catch sight of my honey. Adrian and the boys are putting all the luggage in the trunk and I sit in silence trying to sum up the situation. Is Josh really this protected in America that I can’t even be seen with him? This is ludicrous. Does he think I’m going to live in a cupboard hidden from the world? We are so telling my parents when we get home.

Adrian jumps in and grabs my hand again. “Drive,” he orders the driver without saying hello. How rude. The driver pulls out into the traffic, but it is backed up and we are standing still, and then I see it. My heart drops. A media frenzy, where photographers are running backward to try and get the shot. Joshua is walking through the airport and every one of the photographers is chasing him and screaming out his name. I sit still, frozen on the spot, as I stare out the window in horror. This is why he got changed. He knew that they would be here, waiting for him. I am brought back to the present by Adrian squeezing my hand again and I look at him, bewildered.

“Is this normal?” I frown at Adrian.

He smiles and nods. “Unfortunately, yes. Now we find out what you are made of, Tash girl.” I frown as his words sink in.

“I hope you have a strong stomach,” he whispers as he puts his arm around me. “You’re going to need it. Joshua Stanton’s world can be pretty harsh.”

The luxury car maneuvers between the busy traffic, but my mind is far from sightseeing. I am stuck with the ‘see what I am made of’ comment from Adrian. What did he mean by that? Does he think I am not going to last in Joshua’s world? I put my head back onto the headrest and close my eyes. What am I made of? And what of the ‘Joshua’s Stanton’s world can be pretty harsh’ comment? What the hell does that mean? Does he mean the other women in Joshua’s life are going to make my life a living hell? God, I’m so out of my depth here. Am I really considering giving up my safe little haven to move to…whatever the hell I am moving into?

My mind then moves to Josh, beautiful Josh, and I smile. He’s so worth the fight, any fight. You know what? I would move to the moon to be with him. So, if someone wants to make my life hell…then bring it on, bitches, I’ll be waiting. I just have to promise myself that I won’t let anyone put it over me. Stay true to myself. Yes, that’s the only way I have any chance of surviving La-La Land and its Botox beauties. I glance down at my faded jeans and slouchy off-one-shoulder black T-shirt. Is this even acceptable in Josh’s world? I’m the world’s biggest dag. I make a mental note to get my shit together and buy some new clothes—funky ones that kick ass. Hmm, yes, good plan.

Adrian smiles and grabs my hand again. “You’re quiet.” He smirks.

“I suppose,” I answer. “This is all very new to me, Adrian. I’m feeling out of my depth.” He smiles a sympathetic smile and nods. “Will you promise me something, Adrian?”

He nods. “Anything”

“If I am put into a situation where you think I will be with someone who I can’t trust, will you tell me?”

He smiles an honest smile. “Of course, Tash.”

I nod, feeling better. “What will you say?” I ask.

He frowns. “What will I say?”

I nod and smile. “Yes, code for snake.”

He laughs out loud. “You want to have a secret code for someone you can’t trust?”

I smile and pick up his hand and kiss the back of it. “Exactly.” I narrow my eyes as I sum up my diabolical plan. “So the word for snake is?” I ask.