“I don’t care what the media says about me. The only person I’m worried about, the only person I care about is Taryn.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m staying focused. They’re getting a quality performance.” Ryan was irritated. “I’ve seen all the dailies – they look
great. Kenneth hasn’t said a word to me about it; I would hope the director would tell me if he had concerns!
“Are you kidding me? If they want to discuss things with me, then they can come here. No, you listen to me, David. I’ll fucking walk away before I
let anyone dictate my life. I’m pretty sure I can live quite comfortably on the twenty million I already have in the bank.
“I’m the one trying to be a professional here! She’s probably pissed that she can’t just knock on my hotel room door to get my attention
anymore.
“If the third movie sucks then I suggest they start pointing their finger in the proper direction. I’m regretting ever signing on for this project. Yeah, I
know David. All right.”
I dumped the clean load of white laundry onto the bed – a reflex to make it look like I wasn’t listening intently. He stopped in the doorway and
leaned on the frame with his arms folded across his chest.
I didn’t say anything. I knew he was upset. I think he sensed I was too. How else could I be?
“I know you heard my conversation,” he said softly.
“I’m making things difficult for you,” I whispered, fighting back my tears of guilt.
“No,” he said, shaking his head to disagree. “You’re the only thing that’s keeping me sane.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible,” I said somberly, diverting my attention to separating the laundry.
Ryan stepped to my side and took his socks out of my clenched hands.
“Do you love me?” he asked emphatically, his eyes piercing. His fingers lifted my chin. “I mean really love me?”
“Yes! Yes I do,” I stated, looking directly into his eyes. “With all of my heart.”
A smile touched his lips.
“You know that my life is anything but normal. So I’m going to ask you one more time. Are you sure you’re okay with this – me staying here with
you?”
“Are you allowed to stay here?” I half expected him to say no. “Will they allow it?”
“I’m a grown man. I’ll do what I want.” He rubbed my arms.
“You’re breaching your contract,” I said, assuming it was in the fine print somewhere.
“They are required to pay me and assure my safety and comfort. I’m not going to let them own me. Taryn, I want to be with you, if you’ll have me.”
His mesmerizing blue eyes stared straight into my soul, searching for my reaction.
“I’ll make some room so you have a place for your things.” I kept my tone low.
“Taryn, that’s not what I asked.” He snatched me gently by the wrist.
Overwhelming guilt was rolling in on me now.
“Ryan, I want you here more than you can ever imagine. But I also know that there are reasons why you are kept hidden and guarded in your
hotel room. I’m afraid that if you stay here, then everything the studio has arranged for you will be jeopardized. You already have enough stress
because of me.”
“Because of you? Are you serious? Why do you keep saying that?”
I shrugged, wondering why it wasn’t blatantly obvious to him like it was to me. “The trouble with Suzanne, and now with your manager and the
studio people… not to mention the things that the tabloids will print about you being with me. That surely is going to cause problems for you. I don’t
want to damage your career, Ryan!”
He laughed at me. “Oh, Honey! You are not the cause of my stress. And all the press about our relationship is doing the opposite of damaging
my career, so please stop thinking that way! Sweetheart, you are the only thing keeping me from jumping off the roof!”
I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t care about any of that. And I’ll hire my own security team if it ever comes down to it.” He shrugged. “Regardless, that’s not for you to
worry about.”
I looked at him, slightly shocked. “Despite what you say, I will worry about it. Anything that troubles you troubles me.”
He sighed heavily.
“Taryn, I think you realize by now that being involved with me comes at a hefty price. I told you before it was difficult for me to have any kind of
relationship, and all of this bullshit is why. I hope and pray that in a year or so when I’m done with this trilogy and move on to other projects that this
craziness will die down. But right now, it is what it is. Security teams, secrets, lies, hiding, insane schedule, it comes with the territory. It’s my life.”
He took my hand in his. “My crazy life is going to become your crazy life. It’s happening already. Are you willing to put up with all the craziness
and nonsense and love me anyway?”
I did not hesitate with my reply. “Yes, absolutely,” I breathed out. “What about you? Are you willing to do the same? Put up with all the nonsense
to keep loving me?”
“Absolutely! Without question!” He grinned.
Ryan’s warm hand brushed across my neck, pulling me in for a kiss.
It was almost seven o’clock when Pete called to inform me that they were parking almost two blocks away since my street was quite busy.
Ryan and I waited in the dark bar for our friends. I didn’t want to turn the lights on and give the paparazzi any reason to wake up prematurely.
Ryan looked adorable in my dad’s gray flannel shirt and a fresh white T-shirt underneath. He called his bodyguard Mike and made arrangements to
get picked up in the morning. I was elated knowing that he was definitely staying with me tonight.
I stood by the door, waiting for their knock, although I didn’t need to wait – the moment they paused at my door the cameras started to flash.
“Hurry, come in.” I waved, trying to hide as best I could behind most of the door.
It angered me that the paparazzi were taking pictures of anyone who entered my pub. A twinge of panic ebbed up my spine thinking about how
things would be tomorrow when I had to unlock the doors to let the public inside.
Pete was balancing three pizza boxes in front of him. “All right, where’s the fucking President?” he called out.
I turned the lights on and Pete nodded to Ryan, who was leaning on the bar.
“Oh, hey Ryan!” Pete boomed. “You see the President around here?”
“Only Presidents that are here are in my pocket, Pete.” Ryan shook his hand.
“Rumor has it that Brad Pitt is visiting,” Marie joked on her way in. “Oh, it’s just you, Ryan. Somebody should go out there and tell them that Brad
isn’t in the building. What a freaking disappointment.”
“Nice to see you too, Marie!” He squeezed her shoulders and pretended to choke her.
“Gary, good to see you, man!” Ryan shook Gary’s hand.
“Hey Ryan! Ready to lose big tonight?” Gary teased.
Tammy gave me a hug with one arm; she had a cake pan with a lid on it in her other hand. She gave Ryan a one-arm hug too. “I made a new
dessert I’d like everyone to try.”
Pete placed the pizzas on our big, center table. The aroma of melted mozzarella and tomato sauce filled the room and everyone was
mentioning how hungry they were. I tapped a pitcher of beer and we all took our familiar seats to eat and drink.
Ryan grabbed a slice and stood up from the table.
“Pete, can I talk to you a minute?” He motioned with his head for Pete to follow him. The two of them disappeared into the kitchen. I wondered
what that was all about.
“Taryn, there are a lot of people out there.” Marie nodded to the door. She looked over her shoulder to see where Ryan was. “How long has the
crowd been there?”
“Since yesterday. Ryan and I went to Cal and Kelly’s for dinner. His fans coated my car with love notes too.”