Chapter 16

sixteen

. . .

Julius stepped out of the car, the warm breeze tousling his hair. He adjusted his sunglasses and tugged down his worn Yankees cap, scanning the crowd of travelers hustling by with their luggage. As always, he tried to look inconspicuous in a plain white t-shirt and gray sweatpants, hoping to avoid drawing attention.

He spotted her without even realizing he was looking for her.

Hillary stood waiting by the curb, radiant as always. Her chestnut waves cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate features. He enjoyed seeing her hair down, it was less guarded than the bun she wore when she worked. A dark green long-sleeve sweater dress hugged her curves, practically begging him to take hold of them. Large sunglasses shielded her striking green eyes, but he knew she saw him when a smile slipped over her lips. Even in a sea of people, Hillary shone like a beacon, her natural poise and grace unmistakable. He would never understand how she was so shy.

Julius smiled and waved as he approached her, nerves dancing in his stomach. Next to her polished appearance, he suddenly felt underdressed and scruffy in his casual clothes, stubble shadowing his jaw. He swallowed his insecurity and something he rather enjoyed she could bring out in him. This was how he traveled to remain out of the press.

“Hey you. Don’t you look like a ray of sunshine.”

Hillary beamed, letting him pull her into a quick hug. “Says the actual movie star,” she teased, eyeing his unassuming outfit. “I think your disguise needs work. The shades and ball cap can’t hide all that you are.”

“Guess I need to up my incognito game,” he chuckled, pulling the hat off and running a hand through his hair self-consciously. Her playful jab highlighted the stark contrast between their lives—her ordinary routine where she was just who she was versus his celebrity status, something he aimed to downplay.

“Am I really about to do this? Get on a plane with someone I barely know, trade my dream career for this one, and secretly write a feature article on it?”

“No promises,” he quipped with a wink. As they bantered, their contrasting worlds seemed to melt away, leaving only their undeniable chemistry and connection. Julius wished he could freeze this moment before diving into the chaos ahead.

When she smiled and set her hand on his arm, he couldn’t resist doing what a normal couple could do in public. Julius pulled Hillary close, his hands gently cupping her face as he leaned in and kissed her.

Hillary’s initial response was surprise, but she quickly melted into him with a soft sigh, her hands finding their way to his chest, no doubt feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingertips.

The taste of her lips was intoxicating, a berry-sweet flavor that must be her lip gloss. The way she melded into his body sent thrills through him. He could stand there with his hands woven in her hair and his lips on her forever if he was allowed.

As they slowly pulled apart, Julius rested his forehead against hers, a smile playing on his lips. “I’ve been waiting to do that since I stepped off the plane,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

“Julius, we’re on a really busy sidewalk at the airport,” she whispered, suddenly aware of the bustling crowd around them.

He chuckled softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Let them stare. I want the world to know how lucky I am to have you by my side. Hopefully they just don’t know who I am.”

“And you just stand here like the rest of us?” She asked, tuckering her hair behind her ear.

“I do. Though sometimes I get priority boarding.”

They fell into silence then, Hillary seeming to look around at everything while Julius just kept his gaze on her. She was taking everything so humbly. It was almost as if she really didn’t understand just what waited for her on the other side of filming. Even if the movie flopped, the production budget had it set to be the biggest release of summer in two years. While things might not get crazy after filming, they would when the press tour started.

They moved quietly, both moving through security with little disruption and only a small grin from the man checking him in when he realized who he was.

Hand in hand, they entered the airport terminal, their fingers intertwined as they navigated the throng of travelers. Julius leaned close to Hillary, ready to whisper in her ear. “Just think, the next time we’re in an airport together, it’ll be after filming. Everything will be different then.”

Hillary’s step faltered slightly, her smile slipping as a wave of uncertainty washed over her. He knew where he went wrong. The thought of the premiere, the red carpet, the flashing cameras, it must all seem so overwhelming, so far removed from her comfortable, low-key life.

Julius squeezed her hand reassuringly, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. “I’m sorry. I got ahead of myself there. This is all new for you, and I don’t want to overwhelm you. We’ll take it one step at a time, okay?”

Hillary took a deep breath and nodded, a grateful smile tugging at her lips. “Thanks, Julius. I appreciate that. It’s just a lot to process. But I’m here, and I’m ready for this adventure with you. Speaking of adventures,” she continued, her eyes sparkling, “I think our first order of business should be finding coffee. I don’t know about you, but I could use a caffeine boost before we tackle anything else.”

Chuckling, he tugged her away from security since they had plenty of time. “Coffee sounds perfect. Lead the way, my lady.”

They wove through the bustling terminal, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee guiding them toward a small stand tucked away in a corner.

As they approached the counter, Julius couldn’t help but admire the way the warm lighting cast a golden glow on Hillary’s skin, highlighting the soft curves of her face. She studied the menu board intently, her brow furrowed in concentration as she debated between the various options.

“I think I’ll go for the vanilla latte,” she finally decided, turning to Julius with a smile. “What about you?”

“Coffee, black, but I’m feeling adventurous. How about we split one of those giant cinnamon rolls to go with our coffees?” he suggested, pointing to the display case filled with tantalizing pastries.

Hillary’s eyes widened with delight. “Oh my gosh, yes! Those look incredible. I haven’t had a cinnamon roll in ages.”

They placed their order and found a cozy table in the corner, settling into the plush armchairs with contented sighs. As they waited for their treats to arrive, Julius reached across the table and took Hillary’s hand in his, marveling at how perfectly it fit in his grasp.

“I’m really glad you’re here, Hill,” he said softly, his eyes locking with hers. “I know this is all a bit overwhelming, but I promise I’ll be right by your side through it all. We’re in this together.”

Hillary’s smile was warm and genuine, her fingers intertwining with his. “I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else, Julius. Despite the nerves and the uncertainty, I feel like I do trust you not to let me fall where I shouldn’t.”

As they settled into their seats on the plane, Julius couldn’t help but notice the curious glances and whispers from the other passengers. He was used to the attention, but he could see Hillary growing more uncomfortable by the minute and no one was talking about her…yet.

She fidgeted with her seatbelt, her eyes darting around the cabin. “Is it always like this, even when they aren’t certain exactly who you are?” she asked softly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the passenger chatter.

Julius reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. “It can be overwhelming at first,” he admitted, his blue eyes filled with understanding. “But it gets easier, I promise. Just focus on me, on us. The rest will fade away.”

Hillary nodded and took a very visible deep breath. She leaned her head against his shoulder, seeking comfort in his solid presence. The warmth of his body and the gentle rise and fall of his breathing slowly lulled her into a peaceful slumber before they even began to taxi.

She was probably up all night freaking out. He had been the night before his first day on a set over a decade ago.

As she slept, Julius gazed down at her, a tender smile playing on his lips. In sleep, the worries and self-doubt that often clouded her features were replaced by a serene beauty that took his breath away. He marveled at the way she fit so perfectly against him, as if they were two puzzle pieces finally clicking into place.

Around them, the plane moved swiftly, but not quietly. Occasionally someone came up to him with a whisper, asking for a photo, but they were all quiet and accepted when he gestured to Hillary with an apology.

His world had narrowed down to the woman beside him, the one who had captured his heart so completely.

She feels like she’s the missing piece I never knew I needed, he thought, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. The one who sees beyond the fame and the charm, who challenges me to be better, to want more. Even when the more isn’t for me.

As the plane soared through the clouds, carrying them toward their next adventure, Julius closed his eyes and let himself drift into thought, content in the knowledge that she trusted him and would make certain to keep that trust when things got rough.

Julius’s mind wandered to the day they first met, last month. He had been instantly drawn to her quick wit and infectious laughter, the way her eyes sparkled with interest and intelligence. As they worked together, he found himself looking forward to reading her piece, eager for any opportunity to think of her without it seeming over the top.

Even with her at his house, after the movie when he’d convinced her to just lay with him to see what peace and quiet together would be like, she’d been so brave.

“You know, for a big-shot actor, you’re not half bad,” she had teased him that evening in his bed. “I might even go so far as to say you’re tolerable.”

“Tolerable?” he had echoed, clutching his chest in mock offense. “You wound me, Hillary. And here I thought we were becoming friends.”

“More than friends?” She had arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Julius.”

That had been the start of it all, the spark that had ignited the flames of their connection.

With the start of filming looming on the horizon, Julius couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for them. Would the demands of their careers pull them apart, or would they find a way to navigate the challenges together?

Late-night talks, he mused, his fingers absently tracing the curve of Hillary’s shoulder. Stolen kisses in the shadows of the set. Perhaps even a secret rendezvous or two, away from the prying eyes of the press.

The possibilities were endless, and Julius found himself growing more and more excited at the prospect of exploring them with Hillary.

We could be something special , he thought, his heart swelling with a mixture of hope and longing. He already knew she was something special, but it seemed she agreed he was, too.

Hours passed, and Hillary slept while he did nothing at all but relax. He wasn’t good at sleeping on planes, but it meant he could watch over her and that was fine by him.

The gentle chime of the fasten seatbelt sign pulled Julius from his reverie, and a quick glance outside the window told him they were landing. As the world outside the window transformed from a sea of clouds to the sprawling landscape of their destination, Julius felt a mix of excitement and apprehension stirring in his chest.

He knew that the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. The demands of their schedules, the constant scrutiny of the media, the pressure to maintain a certain image—it would all take a toll. But as he looked at Hillary, her face soft and peaceful in slumber, Julius knew he was willing to face whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as he had her by his side.

“Attention passengers, welcome to your final destination: Nova Scotia. We will begin our descent in a little less than ten minutes. Please return all seats and tray tables into their upright position.”

The plane touched down with a gentle jolt, and Hillary stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked up at Julius, a sleepy smile spreading across her face.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” Julius teased, his voice warm with affection. “You missed all the good stuff out the window.”

Hillary stretched, stifling a yawn. “Oh, I doubt that,” she replied, her tone playful. “My dreams were far more interesting than anything happening out there. Besides, I don’t think my stomach enjoys watching things be below me, at least not according to the signals it sends my brain.”

Julius chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t know about that. There were some pretty spectacular cloud formations.”

Hillary rolled her eyes, but her smile remained. “Next time, wake me up for the cloud formations. I wouldn’t want to miss out on such riveting entertainment.”

His ears popped as the plane did begin its descent. A glance at Hillary revealed she was totally calm. A distinct contrast to almost every other time he’d been with her, a pang went through him as he realized he kept putting her in uncomfortable situations.

Then you’ll have to fix that, starting now.