Hollywood's Golden Runaway

(2 2)

Our day off couldn't have gone more perfectly. We spent the day in Chicago sightseeing, and generally being goofy tourists. Obviously the paparazzi scouted us out within a few hours of our arrival but we managed to hold them off as much as possible and they resorted to taking a backseat, snapping pictures of us from a distance. However, while we were at the Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, Liam decided he wanted to take a photo of us kissing in the reflection of the metal and I know that there is no way that it would have been missed. But being with Liam, with our best friends and feeling so happy, I find myself not caring. We're only finally confirming the rumours they've perpetuated for all this time.

Looking at the photo fills my heart with love. We stop for lunch and Liam and I excuse ourselves to get some time alone together. We disappear into my car and Liam wastes no time in pulling me close over the awkward dashboard and just holding me close.

"Wait," I mumble into his chest before wiggling out of his hold, much to his confusion and I take my phone out of my pocket before looking guiltily up at him, "tell me if I'm moving too fast here, but I made a promise I have to keep." He raises his eyebrows quizzically.

"Trust me, nothing is too fast, Salem," He says with a kind smile on his face which I can't help but to mirror. The use of my real name has my heart pounding harder than any use of my previous nicknames. I can't help the blush that burns across my cheeks so I just hide my face behind the curtains of my hair and turn my attention to my phone. As I work to pull up the video chat app on my phone and call my sisters, Liam plays with the strands of my hair that block his view of my face.

"Well, it was my sisters who," I try to find the right word, "encouraged me to tell you everything, and they made me promise to introduce you to them when I told them everything worked out perfectly." At my last statement his kind smile only broadens and I feel like I am going to be sick at how my stomach is twisting in joy, so I just reflect his smile.

"Salem!" Hazel's voice sings from my phone and Liam and I spring apart so I can greet my sisters. I strategically angle the camera so they can't catch a glimpse of Liam. Their faces fill the screen, both grinning from ear to ear and my heart fills at the sight of them.

"Hi girls!" I exclaim, giving them a short wave which they copy.

"How's your delicious boo thing?" Hazel smirks, waggling her eyebrows and I make eye contact with Liam sitting across from me, who's trying to suppress his laughter.

"Yes, we want to hear all the horny details!" Elsa chimes, making even more funnier faces. I can't help my own laughter at their faces and manage to calm myself with a dangerous smirk.

"Well, I'll let him tell you both himself," I turn the camera to face Liam and all joking has suddenly vanished from their faces to be replaced with complete awe. It takes them nearly five minutes to compose themselves and Liam handles their hysteria like a champ.

"I'm so glad I could meet you, even just like this! Hopefully I can meet you guys in person soon!" Another chorus of squeals comes from my phone and Liam winds up the half hour conversation we've had and they nod like their heads are going to fall off.

"I miss you girls, you better be behaving! I'll see you when we're back!" And with breathless goodbyes we end the call. "Wow, I am so sorry about them!" I chuckle, but Liam only gives me an amused look.

"Stop apologising, Salem. I loved that, thank you for introducing me to them. I owed them my thanks anyway!" He smiles and pulls me in for another hug.

A knock at the car window springs us apart and we are surrounded on all sides by our friends pressing their faces up against the windows and we burst into laughter. And just like that we're heading home. The day was definitely beginning its change into night and the lights of Chicago's skyscrapers guide us out of the city.