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Chapter 15: Love Soon

Did you expect to kiss me one time

While looking at me

With the same eyes ever again?

Love Soon - John Mayer

TOM STEPPED OUT of the car and a swift nod of his head assured us it was safe to walk outside.

I hate the term bodyguard, it makes me feel both vulnerable and conceited. Tom was just helping around and making sure that I could move from one place to another without getting stick in a crowd or being exposed to avoidable risks. Something that was quite a task during those days. He helped me with my suitcase and walked beside me through the small distance between the car and the airport door repeating 'Give her space' more times than I could actually count. I sighed in relief once we managed to arrive at our terminal and I was glad he was there. I hugged him goodbye before going through the Security check.

Nick agreed that I could fly alone only once he made sure I would have security waiting for me in Paris. I felt like he had grounded me but, at the same time, I was happy to know he was trying to protect me in times when I felt naked in front of the entire world.

Going to Paris was always a bad idea, and I knew it but my judgment was so clouded during those days that it was only fair that I ended up buying a ticket and crossing the pond. I even dragged J with me taking advantage of how helpless she felt being away from Niall. They had spent every hour together until he had to leave a week before.

Once at the airport lounge, I poured red wine into a glass and finally removed my oversized sunglasses. I looked around confirming that everyone was minding their own business and sat on a sofa beside an over-excited J.

"Less than 9 hours left!" She exclaimed softly clapping her hands in tiny swift movements.

I smiled feeling a little bit jealous of how easily she was opening up to her new relationship, very much unlike the five million questions I had constantly lurking in my head regarding Harry and I.

"Excuse me," a girl that looked like she was around 12 years old materialized in front of me with a cellphone in her hand, this was something that usually happened when J was around. She was many young girls' idol who begged her for pictures any time they spotted her in a public place.

"Of course," I said smiling and extended my hand so she could give me her phone and I could officiate as a photographer once again.

"Hmm, I was actually wondering if I can take a selfie with you," she said reddening," you are Harry's girlfriend, right?"

My jaw dropped and I heard J giggling beside me, "Oh, of course, yeah!" 

She skillfully extended her arm in front of us inviting me to lean closer to her and took the picture.

I was surprised when she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into a hug, "Thank you so much! Please tell Harry that Lilly said hi and that he is the best!" She said in one breath before returning to her parents but not after I promised her messages were going to be delivered.

J was beaming when I turned around and look at her, "You are taken now." 

"Seven years working my ass off to end up being known as simply 'Harry's girlfriend'." I joked.

*

WE WERE STAYING in Champs Elysee like the band but in different hotels for safety reasons. Jon, one of the band's bodyguards, was waiting for us at the airport and drove us to our hotel. The boys had some press commitments and were going to join us later in the day.