5 - Eliza

It hadn't taken Tom long to come down to the shop but I really wasn't surprised. I'd been ringing up a customer when he'd come down and I hadn't needed to turn around to know he was there. The woman had frozen half way to handing me her money and was staring wide eyed behind me. It'd been amusing to say the least.

He'd come up beside me and acted like it was completely normal for him to be there. He didn't go far from me, though as expected the women and even some of the men fawned over him and by the time it was time to close up shop I had to make a couple women leave who'd taken up residence at one of the small tables by the door.

"I didn't think to ask if I needed to change." He called from the living room while I changed in my bedroom.

"Do I really have to dignify that with a response?"

"Yes!"

"You look fine as always." I say walking out.

His eyes widen for a brief moment as he looks at me and I can feel my face turn red. I'd never been out on a 'date' with anyone famous but if there was a chance we'd be seen and photographed I didn't want to look like a troll. It wasn't anything I hadn't worn before but it definitely wasn't my usual attire; a simple but fitted copper red v necked sweater and my favorite pair of jeans with a pair of black ankle boots.

"What?" I ask, starting to feel self-conscious when he just looks at me.

"That color suits you."

"Thanks. Figured green would be a bit cliché."

"So, before we leave what are the rules?"

"Rules?"

"You know, since we're putting on a sort of show, how far are you okay with going?"

He looked so uncomfortable I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped.

"I'm fine with any PDA you are except kissing on the lips. I'm not an actor like you, kissing is a personal thing, it means something to me. I don't think I'd be very good at faking that."

"No lips, got it." He says walking up to me and takes my hand. "If something gets to be too much, tell me. Promise?"

"Promise. Now let's get moving otherwise we're going to be late and Katy will kill me."

The drive across town took longer than it should have. If the cab driver had kept his eyes on the road instead of looking back at Tom every few seconds it'd have be fine. I couldn't blame the driver; Tom was an impressive man, and so much better looking in person. I knew he was nervous however, he held my hand and rubbed his thumb against my hand while bouncing his knee.

"You okay?" I lean in and whisper, placing my free hand on his knee to stop the bouncing.

He looks over at me and I can't stop the butterflies from taking flight in my stomach. He looked almost as vulnerable as he had when I'd found him on the bench. We were stuck in traffic a couple blocks away from the theater now and were cutting it close to being late.

"You want to walk the rest of the way?" I ask, thinking the fresh air might help him.

"After you." He manages with a small smile.

I dig out the money and hand it to the driver and thank him. We start walking down the sidewalk and I look up at him. He smiles down at me and I return the favor.

"How'd you know?" He asks slipping his hand back into mine.

"I've watched your interviews, you're not one to fidget. You sure you want to do this?"

"I'm okay now. Just got lost in my head is all."

"Can I do anything to help?" I ask pulling him to a stop.

He studies my face for a long moment and an image of him leaning in and kissing me pops into my mind before I can stop it. Shaking my head slightly I focus back on his eyes and smile. This wasn't real; well I hoped the friendship was but the rest of it, like him holding my hand was just an act.

"You're doing amazing already. Thank you."

"Come on handsome." I say with a wink and we start walking again.

We make it to the theater with a couple minutes to spare and I breathe a sigh of relief. Walking up the few steps and through the door we enter the building and as all eyes slowly turn towards us I can't help the snicker that escaped; Tom had been recognized.

"Katy should've left us two tickets." I say as we make it to the ticket booth.

I knew the young woman behind the glass. She was fresh out of high school and had moved here just like Katy and I had. I glance down at the counter in front of her and groan, she was reading one of the tabloids and of course it was open the story on Tom and Zawe.

"Amy." I snap my fingers, "Come on, we're going to miss the opening."

Glancing at me she shakes her head as if clearing the fog and smiles wickedly. I knew, without a doubt, she would tell everyone she knew that Tom was here after we walked inside and I forced a nice smile onto my lips. She grabs two tickets and passes them through the opening.

"Thank you." I say pulling Tom around and through the doors.

There was only one theater and as we slipped in the house lights dim three times signaling the curtain was about to go up. The theater was fuller than I expected and that made me happy for Katy. It was opening night for this play so it made sense for it to be fairly full but this was a great turnout.

Spotting two open seats in the fifth row we slip into them just as the show begins. Like in the cab he keeps a hold of my hand. I lean towards him and whisper in his ear.

"Don't be surprised if there are paparazzi waiting when we leave. I'm sure Amy has already started spreading the news that you're here."

He looks at me and nodes. "We've already been photographed."

Turning I see young woman two rows in front of us with her phone peeking about her shoulder. She was taking a video of them and had I felt petty I'd have found one of the ushers; photography wasn't allowed inside the theater. But it wasn't hurting anyone and it wasn't the show she was videoing so I just smile and focus on the show.

"That was amazing!" Tom says as we stand up, most of the other people having filed out already.

"I'm glad you liked it. Katy'll be excited to know you enjoyed it."

I could hear the chatter of many people when the exterior doors open and I knew he heard it too because he stiffened ever so slightly. Pulling him to a stop I look up him and ask the question with my eyes.

"I'm okay."

"There should be cabs waiting by the curb. You do what you need to and I'll follow your lead."

He squeezes my hand and smiles, "You're good at this."

"At what?"

"Keeping me calm."

"That's my job." I say with a wink, "I don't know about you but I'm getting hungry. Let's get this over with."

He brings our hands up to his lips and kisses mine gently. "Your wish is my command."

As expected as we exit the building dozens of flashes illuminate the area. They all start talking over each other and I have a hard time separating them so they make sense. There wasn't anyone to help us play crowd control so we're quickly surrounded. I hadn't thought about this part before and it was my turn to kind of panic. I wouldn't say I was claustrophobic but I was not a fan of strangers touching me.

"The play was spectacular." I hear him say, though I hadn't heard anyone ask.

Zawe's name I picked out several times but I just smiled and focused on keeping my breathing normal while making sure I stayed beside Tom.

"Oye, back off. Give them some space." I hear a man shout before I see a man parting the crowd.

He was clearly one of the waiting cab drivers and I'd never been happier to get in a cab. Tom let me slide in first and then followed me. The cabbie trys shooing the people with camera again but doesn't have much luck until a couple of the ushers from the theater started helping. They pulled away and into the flow of traffic and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well that is an experience I can't say I thought I'd ever have." I say giggling and leaning my head against Tom's shoulder.

"You okay?"

He sounded concerned and I couldn't help the giggles that started.

"I'm fine."

"So were we headed folks?" He cabby asks.

"Want to go home?" He asks me.

I could see the cabbie watching us through the rearview mirror, waiting to an answer, but I wasn't really ready to go home yet. Now that the shock was wearing off I realize it hadn't been so bad. I shake my head and he looks at me surprised.

"I'm hungry."

"Better feed the little lady. They tend to get grumpy when they're hungry." The cabbie laughs.

"Whatever the little lady wants." Tom agrees with a wink.