From Rome with love (Book 3)

Zac is sassy

*Maddie*
I am twirling in front of the mirror admiring my red dress when I hear Tom's voice behind me. "Don't worry cookie you look wonderful.. absolutely stunning".

"Thanks boo, I must admit I love this dress, I never owned anything like it before". I say smiling at him.

"There is just one tiny thing missing for perfection". He say, smiling secretively.

I look down myself, then in the mirror. "What ?"

"This". He holds out his hand, a big square velvet box in it. "I picked you up a little something when I was out".

"Tom, you didn't have to get me anything". I say looking at him.

He smiles. "I know, but I wanted to. Come here and open it".

I walk over and slowly pop open the lid, looking at the necklace inside. It is a chain of diamond hearts with 3 hearts hanging down in the front and I gasp. "Oh God Tom, it's the most beautiful thing I ever saw".

"No you are cookie, but this will look great on you". He picks it up from the box and put down the box, before placing it around my neck. "As I said, it makes perfection, you are perfection".

"No you are Tom. Any woman who spend more than ten minutes with you are bound to fall in love". I say. "Thank you so much, I love the necklace".

He gently run his thumb over my cheek. "You are welcome darling".

I lean in to kiss him warmly, happy to be wearing a non smudge lipstick.

"We better get going. We are picking up Zac on the way". He say, when he finally break the kiss, resting his forehead against mine.

"Oh so no hanky panky in the limo.. to bad". I say winking at him, as I go to grab my clutch.

Tom takes a quick step to catch up with me, placing a hand on my lower back and leading my out the room. "Well we have time before getting to his hotel".

"Tom ! It was a joke". I giggle casting a glance at him. "You look handsome by the way. It's a sharp suit".

"Well thank you cookie". He says smiling happily. And he does look great in a blue pin striped Gucci suit and a red tie to match my dress.

Outside Tom gracefully greet our driver and insist on holding the door to the limo himself, as I slide in. Then he slide in beside me, taking my hand and lacing our fingers, before telling the driver were to pick up Zac.

15 min later we drive up in front of the hotel and Zac comes out, smiling brightly and greeting the driver with a bow as he opens the door to him.

"Hello Tom, sharp suit". Zac say as he slide in. "Lover girl, looking absolutely gorgeous, and I see Tom has bought you some befitting bling".

"Hi Zac, Thank you and I love that suit". I tell him, ignoring his fooling around, he looks so happy today.

Tom is shaking his head, but he is smiling. "Why are you so disgustingly happy ? I mean the internet calls you a cheater and a bad friend and here you are all chippy".

"Well no need to dwell on bad things is there ? I got the most amazing wife and some great friends, what more can a man want ?" He say as the driver closes the door.

"You are drunk Zac.. who gave you tequila ?" Tom turns to look at me. "He is drunk right ?"

I shake my head, he clearly isn't. "No Tom, just in a brilliant mood, right Zac ?"

"The best mood, no mood enhancers of any kind". He wink at me. "Except Your beauty of course".

"Stop it Zac, if you act like that on the red carpet you only make the rumors worse, so please stop flirting with my girlfriend". Tom slides his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him.

Zac grins. "Afraid people actually would believe I could snack up Your girl Hiddles ?"

"No". I can feel Tom's fingers flex. "Just don't want anyone to have more trouble with that matter than already caused".

"He is just teasing you boo". I say softly. "Let's forget those trouble, I don't want them to ruin my first premiere".

Tom turns to look at me and his face instantly softens. "Sorry cookie, I might be a bit nervous about this, and that bloody bastard keeps yanking my chain".

"Why are you nervous ?" I ask, softly trailing a finger along his jaw.

He closes his eyes, leaning slightly into my touch. "It has been many years since I brought a girlfriend on the red carpet. So this is almost new for me too. And I want so badly for it to be a positive experience for you".

"I am sure it will be Tom, relax and breathe and ignore that big oaf". I say, quickly slapping Zac over the head as he is about to say something, knowing it is almost certainly something cheeky.

"Ouch you hit me ?" Zac say, looking rather offended.

I send him a glare. "You deserved that, I am sure Dahlia would have done the same if she had been here".

He looks thoughtful for a moment, then he shrugs. "She definitely would".

"I like how you hit him. Can you please do that more often ?" Tom say with a chuckle, making Zac stick out his tongue at him.

The car stop and someone opens the door. Zac smile at us. "Time to put on the smiles and dive in.. see you on the other side". Then he slides out the door.

"Ready ?" Tom ask me softly and I nod. He slides out after Zac, and gallantly holds out his hand to me.