And She Was // Talking Heads

Finally.

Sitting in the back seat of a stretch limo with Char cuddled up next to me in the sexiest blue dress I've ever seen. I kiss her bare shoulder, the silky fabric slipping under my fingers as I pull the hem of her skirt a little higher.

"Excuse me, Sir. What do you think you're doing?" Char's voice pours over me, low and full of every innuendo.

"You," I say with zero preamble.

"We're about to step onto a red carpet. Surrounded by reporters. And cameras. Close ups. If even one hair is out of place, or any of my lipstick gets on your collar, we're done. Rumor mill begins again."

Yeah, that sucked last time. The shitty headlines about our 'elicit affair' followed us nearly the entire length of filming. Even after the trial concluded with Curt as the big, fat, slimy loser there were headlines ripping our relationship to shreds. Every article had some anonymous source insisting that we were just a PR relationship, drawing eyes away from Brianna and Zack.

To be fair, that last part was true. People were so focused on the Jacob/Char/Curt circus that any bad press about Brianna was nonexistent.

However, once my filming schedule wrapped up, I made a surprise appearance at the final live show of tour. C1 pulled me onstage so I could introduce the premier of their newest single, "Don't Mess with Me," a song clearly about what a shit guy Curt actually is. Hey, if Taylor Swift can generate song after song about her exes, C1 can skewer Curt in rock lyrics.

My hand slips under Char's skirt, finding the soft skin of her thigh. "I don't care."

"Not what you said when that video of us went viral." She was scolding me, but I could still hear promise in her voice. I lean back to look in her eyes.

"If we weren't in a limo going to my premier, would you be trying to talk me out of devouring you?"

The eyes I'm gazing at go molten. Her hands run up the length of my lapel, pulling me closer.

"Not a hot chance in hell." Char's lips capture mine. "If we were alone and the future of your career wasn't on the line, I'd be all over you."

Damn, I want this woman. For fucking ever.

"They can make or break me, but with you by my side it's fine either way. I'll be a roadie. I'll be a bus boy. I'll be a bodyguard. I don't care. That's not what matters now."

Char laughs as I attack her neck with my lips. "Your player ways served you well. You have me melting into the palm of your hands."

"Hey, baby, I'm not another player. I'm yours. Have been since the moment I laid eyes on you. Heart, mind, body and soul. Bewitched."

"Did you just Pride and Prejudice me?" Char squirms as I continue my assault on her supple skin.

"Is that a verb?" I manage to ask between pecks.

"In my world, yes."

"Then I guess I did." I slide off the seat of the limo, down to my knees as my hands find their way under her dress, up her legs, resting on her hips. "I do not wish to be parted from you from this day on." It's the truth, even if I'm using Mr. Darcy's words to my advantage.

She pulls my hands out from under her skirt then lifts my hands to kiss them, eyes never leaving mine. "Your hands are cold."

"Yes." I shake my head knowing she's saying 'yes' the same way Elizabeth said yes to Darcy. We just watched the movie last week and Char spent twenty minutes detailing all of the unspoken intentions in this scene.

Then it hits me. She.said.yes. I look up from the position I'm in, on my knees, ready to say it for real.

"I'm serious. I know we haven't been together that long, but I've known you were supposed to be mine from the first second I met you. Please, with all of my heart, will you marry me?"

Char's eyes warm, her entire body relaxing into me as her arms come around me. "Yes."

***

Char and I step out of the limo when Clinton opens the door. He's been a constant presence ever since the trial. I think its guilt from blowing it where the sex tape is concerned. He knows he was off his game. We pose for the cameras as they flash, a PR assistant stopping us every few feet. It's the longest walk of my life, and this was the fucking goal. Big budget movie premier where I'm the lead. Emily arrived ten minutes before we did according to the PR person assigned to me. We're supposed to gather for some shots once the rest of the cast arrives.

Clinton's not far behind once we hit the entrance of the theater hosting the films first official screening. I give him a look when he stands next to me, finally out of the spotlight until the cast pictures start. The distant look in his eyes doesn't fool me.

"I know your head isn't in this. Go home. Call her."

Clinton's poker face almost convinces me. Stoic. But I know him better than that. He says nothing while his eyes scan the perimeter as he walks past us.

Okay...

Char whispers, "What was that about?"

"Simple explanation. He needs to grovel," I aim the words at his back. I know he can hear me. "But he's scared he's already too late."

"Leave it alone, Jacob." Clinton glares at me over his shoulder.

"Can't when you're being a dumbass." I lean into Char, "For the record, he's being a bigger dumbass than I was."

"Oh, that's bad."

"Right? That's what I'm saying." I love this woman who plays along with me when it really counts. I can tell the banter is getting to him.

"You should grovel," Char tells him.

Clinton leaves in a huff. If you didn't know the guy you might think he was abandoning his security post guarding us. But I know the guy too well. "He's got back-up close by," I say by way of assuring Char. She's still skittish about being stalked. I don't blame her. I feel the same way.

"What was that about?" Char asks earnestly.

"He screwed up with Colleen."

"The woman who brings his daughter on tour every few stops?"

"That'd be her." I originally thought she must be his ex, knowing he'd never wanted to end the marriage. Turns out, Colleen was his neighbor, who turned into his best friend, and then he'd fallen hard for her.

"Why do guys always screw things up?" Char shakes her head.

"To be fair, we can be pretty blind most of the time. Take me for example." I pull Char to me, wrapping my arms around her.

"Okay, I'll take you." She winks.

"I wanted you so bad, but thought there was no way you'd ever let me in."

"All it took was some sweet talking and I fell into your arms."

"Is that all you think it took?" I laugh, dropping my head. "Woman, I've never worked so hard in my life to get close to you. I took a shitty roadie job just to be in your atmosphere."

"Awww, all work and no play. Poor baby." Char pats my cheek.

"Yeah, poor me. I'm about to wife you up." I smirk. "I'd say all that work paid off."

Char's eyes pop. "Oh, right."

I eye her carefully. "Are you having second thoughts?" My nerves finally take off. I've been calm and cool all day, but the thought that Char might take back her yes is freaking me out.

Char's arms slide around my neck, dragging me down until our foreheads touch.

"Never. No second thoughts. I just can't believe you really asked. Are you sure? It was pretty out of thin air."

While the two of us are pressed together in the corner of the room, enough A-listers present to take the spotlight off of the newbie and his girl, I keep one arm tight around her waist. The other hand slips into my jacket pocket. I pull out the secret I'd been keeping for the last few weeks.

Only when I have the little black velvet pouch secured do I reach up with my free hand to unlock Char's arms from my neck. I drop the pouch into her open palm.

"It wasn't that out of thin air." I tap her hand. "Open it."

Char hesitates, looking from me to the pouch and back before gathering it up and untying the drawstring. He delicate fingers dip inside. I know the exact moment her touch recognizes the contents. Her eyes shine with tears that nearly fall. I reach up to catch them. My prize.

"I can't believe..." her voice trails off as she pulls the treasure out, a glittering diamond in a platinum setting. I take over the next step of sliding it onto her left hand. Smug satisfaction takes over once its there. A perfect fit. Not to mention it's my ring on her finger.

"Believe it. I'm going to marry you."

Char pulls me down for a kiss, one deeper than I expected considering our surroundings.

"Baby, someone's going to post more Chacob smut," I warn. The stupid hashtag went viral along with our unsanctioned sex tape. From what I'm told, Clinton's team still spends half of their time scrubbing the screen recordings from the internet. Penance for dropping the ball, I guess.

"Posting PDA of an engaged couple? The scandal." Char shakes her head.

"The invasion of privacy."

She nods, now more sober from the true issue.

"It's why I waited to put this ring on your finger." My own fingers caress the smooth metal that tells the world she's mine. "If this thing had been glittering during our red carpet premier...game over."

"You aren't ready for the world to know?"

"Not thirty seconds after you said yes." I man handle her waist, dragging her closer. "I want to bask in this, you and me, the only moments of true privacy we'll get."

"Now that's a rock I'm not acquainted with, yet. Introduce me."

I groan as my co-star and worst nightmare approaches. "Emily, you really need to work on minding your own business."

The woman already has her mitts on my fiancé's hand, inspecting the diamond with a keen eye.

"Three carats. Not bad." Emily nods.

Char pulls the ring closer to her face. "Three? Jacob that's too much!"

"How did you know?" I ask.

Emily shrugs. "Like I said, I know diamonds. It runs in the family."

"What kind of family is that? You aren't the heiress to a blood diamond mine, are you?"

Emily crosses her arms. "I'm a nepo baby. Youngest in a family of Hollywood royalty."

I wrack my brain trying to place who her family is. "What other Montano's are famous?"

Char clears her throat. I look at her when she speaks. "Emily's mother's last name is Brooks."

My slow brain finally catches up. "Your mom is Anita Brooks?"

"That's my cue to walk away and pretend this convo never happened." She waves and looks across the room. "I think I see my agent over there." Emily walks away as abruptly as she showed up.

"I had no idea her mom was Anita Brooks." I look at Char. "You knew?"

"I'm management, remember? I know things."

I feel terrible for not knowing. Emily is a handful, but she's become like a sister to me. Her mother is famous for two things, being a massive diva and bedding half of Hollywood. No wonder Emily keeps it quiet.

"Clearly, it's not her favorite topic." Char pulls me into the room as everyone is summoned to the the screening. "It's time for you to take your place as the star of the show."

The next 90 minutes are a tense ride as we watch the film that changed my life.

I look over at Char as the credits roll, realizing she's the true changing factor. Before Char I was just Jacob, a busboy with a dream. Now I'm the man that gets to call this woman mine.

The game really is over.

My playing days are done.

And I couldn't be happier.

Well, we finally made it. THE END! I love this universe and Jacob stole my heart, but writing this nearly did me in. OR maybe it was life that practically took me out over the last six months instead of this story...who knows. But the joy of reaching the end is indescribable. I am starting the details for Clinton's story so give me a couple of weeks to get that posting. Also, music suggestions are very welcomed!! When you think of Clinton, what do you hear?

Here's a trope teaser: grumpy/sunshine, age gap, friends to lovers, single dad, Touch her and die...and maybe a few more 😏

HOWEVER, I need your help! I have two cover designs I'm deciding between. I'd love your vote! Let me know in a comment or emoji if you like option A or B. ⬇️ *If I go with option A, I'd purchase the image and the watermarks would be removed*

Vote Here:

Option A

Option B

Thank you for your votes! Also, how amazing is this song choice?!?! I was scrolling my playlist, nothing standing out, and this was suggested to me by the app. YES PLEASE!! "The world was moving she was right there with it and she was..." LOVE IT!!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

SEE YOU SOON WITH CLINTON'S STORY!!