Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Sixty-Five

SOUNDTRACK: "Misbehavin'" - Pentatonix

"Delta Flight 1050 with service from Los Angeles to New York City, JFK is now boarding," the announcement filled the terminal. "All passenger, please report to gate A35 for boarding."

Kate looked over at Jared as he stood from his seat in the Delta first class lounge. "Let's go, Gremlin," he said.

She shut her iPad down and slid it into its case. They were at LAX, waiting to board their flight to JFK for the New York premiere of Suicide Squad. Emma and Shayla were joining them, along with Micaela, Jared's stylist. Robin was already in New York City and she was meeting them at their hotel when they arrived. Kate was trying, and failing, to hide her nerves at the impending event.

"Terry said you could spend the night at his place," Emma informed her as they walked through the terminal. "It's probably easier that way. We'll be out super late and the hotel suite will be chaotic. You'll probably have more fun with him and the kids."

Kate nodded. "You're probably right. I'm still not entirely convinced any of this will be fun."

Jared nudged her and smiled. "It will be. I promise. You'll love it."

She looked over her shoulder at the rolling carry on she had brought. Since it was a shorter trip, she had only packed a couple of outfits. One of those was the blue/green outfit Alessandro had sent over for her. Kate was glad for the trip and the break from planning Camp activities, but her heart had taken up permanent residence in her throat in exchange for the break. Emma went ahead of them and everyone else followed suit. Kate was surprised to find herself seated next to Jared in First Class.

"What?" he asked as he stowed his bag under the seat in front of him.

"Nothing. I just figured you'd want to sit next to Shayla to go over a few things," she replied.

He smiled. "Nope. You get me the whole ride there," he said. She wasn't sure how to take his teasing tone. "Besides, I wanted to talk to you about a few things before the premiere," he added.

She groaned. "Like what?"

"Like what you can expect," he said.

"Lots of flashing lights and probably a bunch of flashing women," she replied dully. "Screaming girls, jet engine noise levels, and lots of me standing off to the side while you do your Celebrity thing."

'Celebrity thing' was what Kate referred to as the way Jared acted around fans and reporters. It wasn't a secret that every celebrity generally took on a different persona when around fans and doing publicity and Jared was no different. He was extra charming, extra patient, and extra Blue Steel-y. In fact, she had never seen a bad picture of him at an event. Lately a few of his outfits had been questionable, but damn it if he didn't look perfect whilst wearing them.

He laughed at her description. "That is the funniest thing I've heard all day," he gasped, wiping his eye with a finger. After a second, and catching his breath, he looked at her. "I was actually going to have you walk the carpet with me," he said, crowsing his legs. "If you're comfortable with it," he added.

After the scare with the photos of Kate a week ago, he realized the best way to keep her out of gossip magazines was to give reporters what they wanted. Originally he had planned to just have Kate come with him to the London premiere and sneak her in after he was done with the carpet. But now, he was hoping she'd be open to actually walking the carpet with him while he posed for photos and did interviews. That way the press would get a decent eye-full of her and maybe they'd stop hunting her for photos.

"You're serious?" she asked, bright blue eyes wide. Her stomach clenched atvthe thought.

"Only if you want to, though," Jared said, giving her a reassuring smile. "You don't have to. It can be a little much at times. Believe me, I get it."