The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Seventeen: Don't Go Breaking My Heart

"New York?" As in tomorrow?" You ask dumbfounded. Will you ever not be surprised by the things that come out of this man's mouth? He laughs a little, then shrugs out of his jacket and folds it over his arm while continuing to stare at you.

"Yes, New York as in tomorrow. You can do my make-up again and then we can watch the Premier together. Then you won't have to worry about seeing it here by yourself." Who said you were going to see it by yourself?

"But it's so last minute, I don't have time...", you trail off, not really knowing how to finish that sentence.

"You're done with work for now right?" He asks.

"Yes, but, I don't time to pack..." He laughs again.

"It's one night, I think you can probably manage."

"I don't have a plane ticket", you say, and realize you are running out of excuses.

"Lindsay can get you a ticket. That's not a problem." You sigh, knowing you don't really have a real reason not to go. Other than your usual old fears and worries about spending too much time with him.

"I'm not sure it's a good idea Taron", you finally admit.

"Ok, you can't keep saying things aren't a good idea if we've proved that they are. Look at today. You have to admit that it worked out great, you said so yourself", he says, finally leaving your side to go and hang up his jacket. Your eyes follow him but you stay rooted to your spot. Is he right? Is it possible that you could actually make a professional relationship with him work?

"Where would I stay?" You ask, the planner in you thinking of all the logistics.

"In my hotel of course", he answers nonchalantly. He finishes with the jacket, then looks over at you in a slight state of shock at realizing the implication of the words he just spoke.

"Excuse me?" You ask, just as surprised.

"I mean in another room, in my hotel. I'll have Lindsay make the arrangements", he says, effectively playing it off.

"I don't want her to have to go to all that trouble", you protest and he laughs once more at you.

"That's her job", he says, returning to you. Now standing in front of you again, his eyes plead with yours and you already know what's about to happen when he murmurs, "Please?" Damn.

"Is...Ashley going to be there?" You hate that you're asking, but you also know that you have to.

"No", he replies simply, but you see a look of pain flash across his eyes. Is that for you or her?

"Can you give me a few hours to think about it?" You ask, not wanting to give in just yet.

"Sure", he agrees, then goes to his bag to gather up his clothes from earlier. "So what shall we do while we wait for you to "think about it"? He asks using air quotes, and you feel like you should be offended, but of course you aren't.

"What?" You ask, assuming you'd just be going home to "think about it".

"I'm not letting you out of my sight until you decide, so, what shall we do?" He asks again and you think this over.

"Well, I am a bit hungry... You?"

"Starving", he agrees. "But I'm not really in the mood to go sit inside another restaurant. Is there anything we can grab and then just go somewhere quiet?"

"Hmm, I think I might know a place", you say, recalling a particular local landmark that might do just the trick. "Burgers sound good?" You ask.

"Perfect", he replies before shooting you a toothy grin. He then disappears into the bathroom, presumably to change into what we was wearing before. You smile at the closed door then begin to gather up your supplies.