He nodded. “I was worried about that.”
“It’s weird to say I’ve mostly had a positive experience on social media, and now, I can see how it would be debilitating. Why you’re not on it.”
“I wish it weren’t that way for you.”
I shrugged. “Can’t change it now.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he promised.
Even though it felt like a promise he couldn’t possibly keep.
The drive to the Beverly Wilshire was a short one by LA standards. But already, Rodeo Drive was packed with fans and reporters, anxious to see the music celebrities in attendance at the gala that supported music education in local schools. If I got past my anxiety, I was excited to go. I’d been to plenty of things like this in Lubbock, but somehow, it wasn’t quite the same. Okay, not even close to the same as being in Los Angeles, surrounded by celebs.
Campbell took my hand in his as we got into line with the other limos. “This is going to be fun.”
I laughed. “How can you know that?”
“Because I’m here with you. I never thought I’d be here with you.”
“Me either.”
“So, I’m determined to forget the onslaught of online madness and just enjoy the evening with my girlfriend.”
I beamed at that word. I still wasn’t used to hearing it from him. Even in high school, the word wasn’t something we’d really used. Our relationship had always been so secretive. So, maybe this was what we needed to get past all the errors of our past.
“All right, I’ll give it a shot,” I said as he drew me in for a kiss. “I want to have a good time, too. Plus, English prepared me for everything.”
“She’s good like that.”
I nodded in agreement.
Then, we were at the front of the line. A man in a tuxedo and white gloves opened the back door. I took a deep breath before taking his proffered hand and stepping out of the limo. When I’d said English had prepared me for everything, I meant, everything. She’d walked me through a red carpet step by step so that I wouldn’t gape at what I saw in front of me. And still, it was hard not to be awestruck by the beauty of it all.
A long red carpet had been rolled out in front of the famous hotel, leading inside through the arched glass doorways. Either side had been roped off, and reporters waited to speak to the incoming attendees.
Campbell next came out of the limo. He slipped an arm around my waist, giving his best smolder to the cameras that now flashed dramatically. “Ready?” he asked as he pressed a kiss into my hair.
“Ready.”
The red carpet welcomed us with open arms. My smile didn’t even have to be faked. It was exhilarating, and all my earlier fears disappeared. This wasn’t so bad at all. Campbell was charming, and everyone loved every second he gave them. He was still my Campbell, but I could see how he was so much bigger and better in this world. And why he’d prefer to not have to be the person they all expected him to be.
The first reporter pushed a microphone toward us. I recognized him as one of the reporters that English had slipped the questions to. “Campbell, it’s so good to see you out in public with your new girlfriend. So many of our followers have been asking about this mystery woman. We’ve heard the rumor that she’s the ‘I See the Real You’ girl we’ve always wondered about. Can you confirm?”
Campbell laughed, self-effacing. “The mystery woman you speak of is my girlfriend, Blaire.” He squeezed my waist. “We dated in high school, and yes, I wrote ‘I See the Real You’ around the time when we were last together.”
“And with this relationship rekindling, will we get new songs about the lovely Blaire?”
I met Campbell’s gaze, and he winked. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see when the new album releases.”
We continued along to the next reporter I recognized. “Campbell, it’s good to see you out in LA.”
They clapped hands like old friends. English had said that Campbell already had a good relationship with this guy. I could see the camaraderie as they talked.
“Blaire,” he said, turning to me, “we’re glad to see you in LA. About time someone settled down the Campbell Abbey.” Campbell laughed and shook his head, but the guy continued, “We noticed on your social accounts that you were close with the internet sensation Nate King.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “Nate and I have been friends for a while.”
“Just friends?” He winked at Campbell. “Sorry, Campbell.”
Campbell arched an eyebrow. “Do you think she’d be here with me now if she was dating someone else?”
“We’re just friends. Nate and Campbell met when he was in town. And as you can see on Nate’s accounts, he’s already congratulated us on our relationship.”