The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Twenty Eight: Jet-Lag

The next morning, after finishing up your packing for an unpackable trip, grabbing a quick cup of coffee and making doubly sure that your apartment door is locked, you find yourself trekking through the LAX airport with Taron once again. Except this time, instead of accompanying him as his groomer only, you are also going along as his girlfriend. The word still sounds foreign in your head when you refer to yourself in these terms. On the one hand, sometimes it seemed like this day would never come, on the other and it some ways, it feels like you were always meant to be Taron's girlfriend. In any case, you're hopeful for the future and what it will bring, regardless of wherever you both end up geographically.

You both make your way to the international gate with plenty of time to spare, when Taron decides that he would like another cup of coffee and asks if you would as well. You agree happily and watch him retreat to a nearby coffee shop. Twirling one of the diamond star earrings around in your ear where it still resides, you look across the airport to see Lindsay walking toward you. You had almost forgotten about her then remember that Taron rarely, if ever, travels alone. Thinking back to your pleasant conversation at the Hard Rock party, you smile as she approaches. You wonder briefly if Lindsay is someone you could actually end up being friends with. Since Lisa, the area of your female companionship has been severely lacking. You both have similar careers, at least, you're sort of in the same business. And she seems friendly enough, who knows, maybe a bit of girl bonding is just what you need.

"Good morning Lindsay", you say in your sincerest cheery morning voice you can manage. You have only had one cup of coffee after all.

"Good morning", she answers and her eyes dart about the space surrounding you. Reading her thoughts you chime in.

"Taron's getting coffee."

"Ahh", she replies as she digs though her designer bag for something and produces a cell phone. So much for girl bonding time. It's at this moment that you wonder if she knew you were coming along on this little trip. Or about the current status of yours and Taron's relationship. Without thinking much about it, you decide to ask, in a round-a bout way.

"Lindsay?" You ask timidly.

"Hmmm?" She replies absent-mindedly while still scrolling through her phone.

"Is this ok?"

"Is what ok dear?" She asks not looking up. Her use of the word "dear" makes your eyes roll slightly as you are most likely around the same age. You're not sure how to voice what it is you're trying to convey, but you try anyway.

"This. Me and Taron. Us..." You're not sure how much she knows but she seems to be pretty intuitive. Lindsay finally looks up from her phone, thumb poised over whatever screen she was previously pouring over. She clicks the side button to shut it off and stuffs it back down into her bag before taking a seat next to you.

"You'll have to be a little more clear as to what you mean", she says, cocking that eyebrow at you.

"Well...", you begin. "Me going to France with him as his umm...groomer and well, his girlfriend?" You watch as her eyebrows both shoot up simultaneously. She didn't know. Apparently Taron doesn't tell her everything. She seems to process this new information for a moment and then plasters that classic PR smile back onto her face.

"I think it's fabulous." You visibly relax with a heavy sigh.

"Really? You don't think it's too soon after breaking up with Ashley? Won't photographers be there?" The thought of being photographed on Taron's arm makes your blood feel like ice, no matter how much you love the thought of actually being on his arm. You just wish it wasn't where the whole world could see. Her face suddenly changes and you see what looks like apprehension cross her features. She covers quickly though and replaces the look with her usual calm and perfect face.