Time After Time

Chapter 4: Too Much

A couple of hours later, Lauren was having the time of her life at the photo shoot with Paul McCartney. She lost herself in the magic of the moment, forgetting about anything that had worried her, including the lingering thought that Paul had mentioned the name Lacey—the same name as the girl in her dream.

Surprisingly, things started to improve, even though Lauren still felt awkward and intimidated by Paul. They spent the rest of the shoot chatting about their favorite songs, artists, Buddy Holly, and movies. As the conversation flowed, Lauren realized that Paul was just a regular, cool guy—someone she wished she could hang out with more. The barriers of fame began to fade, and she found herself genuinely appreciating his warmth and down-to-earth spirit.

Once things had mostly wrapped up and the crew began to clean up, Paul emerged from the dressing room, dressed in denim jeans and a maroon short-sleeved shirt that fit him comfortably. Meanwhile, Lauren was busy with Melissa, reviewing all the photos from the shoot as they decided which ones to select for the magazine cover and the accompanying article.

"Lauren, dear..." Paul said softly, gently touching the bottom of her elbow, "I believe it's time for me to head out now..."

There seemed to be a hint of hesitation in his voice, almost as if he would miss her. 'Yeah, sure, Lauren!' she thought to herself, a small smile creeping onto her face. This was Paul McCartney she was talking about! Sure, she loved getting to chat with him and meet such an iconic figure, but he was someone known all over the world, with better things to do than talk to a twenty-five-year-old photographer living in New York.

She set her camera down on the table, turning her full attention to him. "Well, thank you so much for coming in and being such a great person to shoot," she said, blushing as she tucked a large piece of hair behind her ear. "You don't know how much you've helped me out today, so really, thank you."

Paul smiled but felt a bit taken back. Being in her presence was like stepping back in time to when he had conversations with Lacey all over again. Not only was she the spitting image of her, with the same bright eyes and warm smile, but the way she spoke, her infectious personality, and even her passions struck a chord within him. It felt so familiar, bringing memories of laughter and fun from long ago, as if those moments were just yesterday, even though it had been over fifty years since he had last been in her presence.

Lacey and Paul had been very close friends, finding comfort in each other's company during their time on the road. She often vented to him about her troubles and the complications in her relationship with John, and it was no surprise to Paul. He understood just how stubborn John could be, but he also remembered the depth of John's love for Lacey. Her death had hit John hard, leaving him crushed, and it had shaken Paul's world as well, a loss that lingered long after the good times they shared.

He reached out his arms, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Well, the pleasure is all mine," he said softly as he wrapped both arms around her in a gentle embrace. "You're an incredibly talented woman."

Lauren couldn't believe it—Paul McCartney was hugging her! It was a moment she had dreamed about for years but never thought would actually happen. His embrace was warm and comforting, making her feel safe and at ease. To her surprise, he smelled even more amazing than she could have imagined. She instantly recognized the brand of cologne he wore, one of her favorites, mingling with the comforting scents of charcoal and a hint of cinnamon. It was a combination that made the moment feel even more special.

In that moment, an unexpected feeling suddenly washed over her—an odd sense that this wasn't the first time she had hugged Paul, as if they were long-time friends. But that thought felt absurd. So much had happened today that she questioned her own feelings. The nightmare from the night before still echoed in her mind, and maybe that was why everything felt so surreal, making this extraordinary moment seem even more confusing.