7 - Eliza

There had been dozens of paparazzi waiting outside the hotel as we exited, which hadn't been a surprise. It was a notorious hot spot for celebrities anyway so it wasn't like they were just there for us but they had been very excited as we walked out together, again holding hands.

It was easier that time. They didn't swarm in and it was easier to make out individual questions. 'Who's this Tom?' and 'Have you already moved on from Zawe Tom?' were the main questions I'd picked out but he didn't answer any of them as we walked to his waiting car.

I knew, without a doubt, I'd have them outside the shop by morning and though it certainly wouldn't be my favorite thing it certainly wouldn't be the worst either. The shop was closed on Sunday's anyhow so I could simply hide in my apartment if I really wanted to.

"Want me to walk you up?" He asks as the car pulls into an open space in front of my shop.

"I can manage it unless you just want to."

He smiles, pushes open his door his door and is around opening mine before I have it open a couple inches. He holds out his hand and I take it, getting out of the car.

"I'll be down in a few minutes Gerald." He says to the driver and closes the door.

I manage to get the door open after fumbling with my keys for a couple heart beats and we step inside. I'm hyper aware of how close he's standing as I close the door behind me and turn around to look at him.

"Did you have fun tonight?"

"I did. How about you?"

"Most fun I've had in a while actually."

"I'm glad. Thank you for walking me to my door."

"Told you, I'm a gentleman."

"I never doubted that."

He's standing a couple steps away but is rocking back and forth on his feet slightly seemingly nervous for some reason. I raise an eyebrow at him and he smiles shyly.

"Ok, why are you nervous this time?" I ask walking past him to put my purse on the counter by the register.

"I'm not nervous."

"Then why are you fidgeting again?" I ask.

"Alright, I'm nervous but I don't know why. Why aren't you nervous?"

"Should I be? You are the god of mischief, so maybe I should be."

That gets the desired laugh I'd hoped for and I walk back to stand in front of him. Looking up at him I smile and reach up and place my hand on his cheek.

"Yes you make me nervous, but not in a bad way. You're a very handsome man. I'd have to be completely crazy to not have a reaction to you."

I stop myself before I could say 'As crazy as Zawe must be for rejecting your proposal'. That wouldn't help either of us and would only make it harder when he leaves.

"But you don't seem nervous."

I take my hand from his cheek and grab his hand, placing it over my heart. I knew he'd be able to feel the fast beating of my heart. It wasn't the first time I've had to hide what I was feeling, though at least this wasn't because I was afraid of being physically hurt. I barely knew this man but I never felt anything but safe with him. I wasn't afraid he'd force me upstairs right now. But he didn't need to know about that.

"I guess I'm just better at hiding it." Is all I say, smiling up at him.

He studies my face with an expression I can't place for a few heart beats and then chuckles as he feels my heart accelerate even more. He had to be used to the affect he had on women but his face softens and he pulls me slowly into his arms, resting his chin on the top of my head. I wrap mine around his waist and lay my head against his chest.

"Is this alright?" He asks making me chuckle. "What's funny?"

"Just thinking about how many other women would kill to take my place right now." I reply.

He stiffens ever so slightly and then holds me tighter. I'd realized my mistake as soon as I said it. No matter how many other fans would've liked to take my place, there was one woman at least that wouldn't, Zawe.

We just stand there for a couple minutes and then I pull away slightly so I can look up at him. He looked so sad and it made me happy he didn't try to hide it from me.

"What's upsetting you Tom?"

"Just occurred to me that I'll be going back to an empty hotel room. Zawe's been with me since we started filming here. I'm alone now."

"No you're not. You have friends at the hotel with you. And you've got me. I know it's not the same thing as what you lost, but never think you're alone okay. You can sleep here tonight if you want to. I don't mind sleeping on the couch again."

"You know what the tabloids will say if I stay here now that we've been seen together."

"Tom, I don't care what they say. They won't be the first, nor will they be the last, to spread lies about me."

He studies my face for a couple heart beats and then smiles weakly.

"You're amazing you know that?"

"I'm just me but thank you."

"Wait right here." He says and goes out to his car and leans in talking to the driver.

He comes back in and seems happier. The car pulls away from the curb a moment later and he sticks his hands in his pockets smiling.

"Guess we're having a sleep over. Come on." I say holding my hand out to him and smiling.

He'd argued with me about him taking the bed again but in the end he relented and we'd gone to bed. It hadn't taken him long to start snoring lightly and I knew he'd been more tired than he'd been letting on.

I on the other hand was having trouble falling asleep. It wasn't that I wasn't tired but my mind and heart were arguing. It was clear now it was going to hurt like hell when he finished filming and left. I couldn't be sure we'd stay in touch afterwards either.

I hear the door to the bedroom creak and sit up to look over the back of the couch. Tom was standing there, hair a mess, bare-chested and looking back at me.

"Tom? What's wrong?"

"I promise to behave."

"What?"

He walks over and sits on the couch by my feet. I wasn't completely sure he wasn't sleep walking but he seemed awake. I sit up and pull my legs under me looking at him. He just stared back looking very vulnerable and it confused me.

"Would it be too weird if we shared the bed?"

"Tom, we can't..."

"No, I promise to be a gentleman. I'm not asking you to sleep with me like that."

"I'm not going to be able to share your bed forever Tom."

"I know, just for tonight."

Again my heart and mind start to argue. On the one hand my heart was more than willing but my head knew it was going to hurt worse later if I did. The man needed an emotional support animal, but for now I knew I couldn't refuse him. He wasn't asking for sex after all, just a warm body to sleep beside.

"Fine." I say and he smiles.

He stands up and holds a hand out for me. I take it and stand up, tossing the blanket over the back of the couch. We walk together to the bedroom and climb into bed facing each other. The room is dimly light by the street lights and it was comforting to see he looks as unsure as I felt. I reach my top hand towards the center of the bed and he follows suit, linking our fingers together; holding hands was second nature now.

"Good night Eliza."

"Good night Tom."