Just Like a Movie.

Back to reality

Their little oasis of peace and blossoming romance had been discovered. Wrapped up in each other, neither had noticed that Tom had been 'spotted'. Neither were they aware until it was too late that an army of phones had been trained on them.  Social media was about to be swamped with pictures of their sweet and stolen moments.

Tom sighed, hanging his head for a second before plastering on the broad smile that had launched a thousand fan-girls. 

"Come on, kitten..." he stood up, holding out a hand, "let's get you out of here. You don't deserve this hassle." Tom's eyes betrayed his disappointment as Alice nodded.

Pulling her up to stand, he caught her in his arms. "I'm so sorry. This...." he whispered as he glanced around. He sighed inwardly at the seething melee now intruding on their day,"this is my life. The flip side to all my success and privilege. The price I pay for a life that brings me joy, success, wonderful opportunities... and now? You."

His breath danced on her cheek as he spoke softly into her ear. "I don't know how or why, but I know we were meant to meet."

His heart raced as he pulled back to look at her. She really had captured him, and he never wanted to be free. 

"It's ok Tom, I always knew we ran the risk of being seen. It was worth it to be with you. It will always be worth it. Come on, let's go back before you get a bollocking from Luke for making all the wrong headlines." She squeezed his arm, her eyes glittering and little silver tears of happiness decorating her lashes.  "Always worth it. Thank you." She repeated, and he shook his head.

"I can't believe I got so lucky." He threw caution to the wind and kissed her again before they walked off back towards the restaurant. "I promise one day it will all be different."

As they hurried back to the restaurant, Tom pulled out his phone and texted Luke. "Better warn him about the impending storm." He muttered as he went. He glanced over and was heartened to see Alice smile softly.

"Just as well that I love dancing in the rain then." She laughed, and his heart flipped. He knew she was beautiful, but now? He also knew he was falling for her. Hard.

Kenny looked up from his desert as he heard a commotion at the door and smiled, nudging Chris. "Look who's back..." he put his spoon down and watched as the two most excruciatingly loved up people he'd seen in a very long time, sidled up and sat down.

Chris, subtle as ever, fired the opening salvo. "So, King Henry, you decided she's worth tearing the world apart for?" He winked, and Kenny sniggered into his ice cream.

Tom looked at him and rolled his eyes. "Might have known you'd get right in there, Evans.  No, actually, I wouldn't tear the world apart for her." He reached for Alice's hand and clutched it tightly, kissing the back of it. "I'd give it to her on a plate if I could."

They sat, hand in hand, just talking to Kenny and Chris - Scarlett had already left to call her husband and kids. The four of them chatted and laughed with an easy camaraderie that was more like years of friendship than mere hours.

"Well..." Kenny sat back, having drained the last of his espresso, and looked at Alice with a soft smile. "We should really make a move. Chris and Tom have an early start and WE.." he paused and winked at her." Need to have a little sibling time before I lose you forever."

Tom looked at him, both ecstatic at the implication and horrified by the apparent change of plans. "Early start? " he turned to Chris. "I thought we had tomorrow free? I promised Alice.... oh love!" He turned to her, his face the picture of disappointment.

Chris coughed and flushed, feeling like a complete heel. "I'm sorry Tom, Zach called while you were away asking if we could do an extra interview for his podcast? It's with some competition winners? Spanner in the works is he's got to catch a flight to New York at 11, so he wanted to do it mega early. I'm so sorry, I had no idea...." he turned to Alice looking apologetic. 

With a warm smile, born of her newfound admirer, Alice turned to them both and saved the day. "Listen, you guys need to do the interview. These people will be beyond excited, you canNOT let them down.  Kenny and I need to do a brother - sister breakfast. We seem to have a lot to talk over."

Tom smiled and hugged her, "And THAT is just one of the many reasons why I'm falling in love with you...." he blurted out.

There was a silence you could have cut with a blunt butter knife as Tom and Alice stared at each other, Kenny and Chris, in turn, stared at Tom.

Alice looked down, flushed with emotion, and Tom? Well, he looked, just looked. At Alice.

"Well, that's that then." Kenny remarked eventually, as if Tom had just admitted liking his tea without milk.  Obvious, and completely unsurprising. To everyone except them, it seemed. He broke the tension by waving at the waitress. Making the international hand signal for the bill, he turned back to them. " I lose a sister and gain a Loki. That sounds like a very good trade to me."

"Oi!" Alice turned, the spell broken and punched him hard on the arm.  Only the prompt arrival of the waitress with the bill saved him.

Chris and Tom paid at their own insistance, and then the four of them walked to the door.  Pausing, hand on the glass, Tom looked at her. A sense of loss, out of all proportion, overwhelming him.

"Let us drop you at your hotel?" Tom turned, a pleading look on his face. Kenny smiled and nodded, putting a hand on the other man's shoulder.

"As if she'd let me away with anything else!"

Five minutes later, they were ensconsed in the luxury SUV.  Chris and Kenny in the front row, Tom and Alice cuddled together in the back.  The darkened glass affording them welcome privacy.

They spent the short ride wrapped up in each other, whispering and talking and nuzzling. The occasional stolen peck on the lips made them both wish they could be truly alone.

"I'll call you as soon as we're done, darling." He murmured, his lips ghosting hers.  "Can't wait to see you tomorrow."

"Ok, I'll be waiting." Her breath danced on his lips, and he let out a breathy shudder.

"My turn to confess..." he whispered as the car stopped, and she started to get out. Pausing, she waited, curious but unafraid.  "I lied." He smiled, the realisation dawning on him.

Alice frowned. "You did?"

Tom smiled and whispered in her ear. "Tell you tomorrow...." his eyes glittered.  This was exquisite torture.

The door opened, and it was time to go. Tom leaned over and kissed her tenderly.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow...."

She smiled, "Then I shall say goodnight till it be morrow."

With that, she was gone. Safe in the knowledge that one way or another, her life would never be the same again.

What neither of them knew as they waved goodbye was that it would change in ways no one could ever have predicted.