Be My First 3 - Tying Ends

43. Flash, Flash, FLASH!!!!

I walked inside of Chateau Marmont, a restaurant that Justin and I both really like. I was still a little heated with anger when I walked inside because of Jack. It wasn't until I saw Justin waving me down in the corner of the restaurant that a smile formed onto my face. He was sitting at the very end of the place, next to the huge windows. There was a lookout at the beginning of a sunset on the beach. It was gorgeous.

I walked over with my sunglasses on, and he had his on too. It wasn't too strange because it was still quite bright in here, and it's nice to eat dinner without being recognized and stared at.

He stood up with a huge grin when I got close enough, and wrapped me in a hug. I laughed at how enthusiastic he was about it. "Hiiii." I said, smushed into his shoulder.

"Hi Paige." He laughed, letting go of me so we could both sit down. 

He was wearing a white button up with navy blue pants and white shoes. He almost looked like a country club worker, but he looked nice. I felt underdressed in my red sundress, printed with tiny white birds. I had matching red sandals.

"You look good." He put his sunglasses on top of his head. I panicked and looked around us, wondering who would recognize him first.

He laughed. "Nobody here is going to do anything." He pointed across the room at another couple that I couldn't see very well. "That's Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. Most people here don't care about celebrities." I glanced around the room at a lot of older couples, really all minding their own business. 

I took my glasses off and set them on the table, smiling. 

"You look good too." I said. 

He gave another big grin, and folded his arms onto the table. I noticed a glass of lemonade next to me, which is what I usually order.

"If you don't want lemonade, you can order whatever, I just know you like it." He said. 

I nodded, taking a sip. "This is exactly what I wanted.. thank you." 

"So tell me what's been up! We haven't done anything for a while." He sat back into his seat.

I sat back in my seat too. "Well. I don't know. Not much, honestly." I shrugged.

"Not much?" He asked. "In the life of Paige Holland?"

I giggled. "Well, there's always something."

"So what is it?" He asked.

"I'm staying at Barb's for the next 2 weeks. Apparently Jack wanted a break. He thinks it'll be good for us before we get married." My blood heated up a little bit more.

Justin shot me the dumbest look I've ever seen. I think he was waiting for me to be like, oh just kidding! Gotcha! But nope. "Uhh, a break? Before marriage? I don't get it."

I laughed. "Me either. Barb also said she feels like something is up with him. It makes me nervous. Just... the way he is with Madison, too. Even Jack J said something about it, and that really means something." 

Justin suddenly looked uncomfortable, and stared at his napkin on the table.

"What?" I asked.

He adjusted his position. "I mean, I've heard Madison talking about Jack like they're dating or something. I've just never said anything because I though who the fuck would choose Madison over Paige, you know? I didn't think it was anything to worry about." He shrugged.

My stomach curled for the 50th time today. "What does Madison say?" I clenched my jaw.

He was in thought for a second. "Just shit like, oh guess what me and Jack did. Guess what Jack texted me. Guess this, guess that. She talks about him constantly. I just never thought to be worried about it." He squinted an eye. "You look a little mad right now."

"I am." I replied. "I'm sick of games." 

"Why are you marrying him?" He leaned towards me.

"Because I love him." I said.

"What does he do for you?" Justin asked. 

I got offended at the question, but then it made me think. "He's there for me. He loves me. He's been by my side for the past couple years." 

Justin nodded. "I know what that feels like." 

"What are you trying to say?" I questioned.

The waiter came by, taking mine and Justin's order. We ordered the same thing, smoked shrimp salad with lemon seasoning.

"I'm not trying to say anything. I just hope you're doing what's best for you. It makes me a little pissed that he wants a break, or whatever it is. I mean if you guys are getting married, is that really what he thinks is best?"

Involuntarily, a tear fell from my eye. 

"No, I'm sorry." Justin got embarrassed. "I didn't mean to-"

"No." I interrupted. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's just that Barb told me something similar today and I haven't had a lot of time to really think anything through, but I know what I'm feeling. And I don't feel good about any of it." 

"I'm sorry Paige." He reached across the table and touched my arm. "I think you're amazing and I really want to make sure you're happy. I don't mean to pry."

"You weren't." I shook my head. 

Suddenly, a huge flash went off in the corner of my eye. I turned to the window, and 2 men had giant cameras pressed right up to the glass, flashing and flashing. Suddenly, the attention in the room turned towards us. Justin was motioning his arm for them to leave, but they kept snapping more and more pictures. I turned my head the other way, staring right at everyone in the restaurant who was obviously looking at us. It was either that or being blinded by flashes. 

Justin stood up. "Dude. GO!" He yelled at the guys through the window. They wouldn't budge. "Fuck!" Justin got frustrated. I got embarrassed, and began walking out of the restaurant. This is mortifying. 

I looked behind me as Justin slapped down a hundred dollar bill on the table, which is way more than he needed to pay. That waitress is going to have one hell of a tip. He quickly followed behind me, opening the doors for me. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

We got out into the parking lot, and again, the paparazzi was in our faces, snapping hundreds of photos. I put my sunglasses back on, covering my face. Justin held his arm out as we walked, and I could tell that he was trying his best not to punch one of them. We were closer to Justin's car than mine, which was on the other side of the restaurant, so we both hopped into his. Justin slammed the door and started the car, still with the 2 men snapping photos. How many god damn pictures do they need? Isn't that enough?

He slammed his foot on the gas pedal, nearly running over one of the guys. I gasped, and got nervous. 

He sped out into the road, quickly getting away. There's no way in hell those 2 guys would catch us now, even if they did have a car- Justin was fast.

"I fucking hate those guys. I'm sorry." He turned onto the freeway entrance. 

"I do too. It's fine. Can we just go to your house?" I asked. My heart was pounding, and I was upset with a million different things.

He nodded. "Of course."