“Definitely,” I nodded in agreement. That wasn’t a chore on my behalf.
“Right then, let’s go,” Senator Spencer suggested, nodding at the crowd of staff and secret service that were waiting by the front door for us. We weren’t coming back to the Lake House tonight; for ease, we were staying at the hotel where the party was being held. Our overnight bags were already there. As we walked towards the door, Anna slipped her arm through mine. A black limousine was waiting out front for us. I watched as her parents climbed into the car first and then Anna and I followed suit.
The car journey was only about ten minutes, but Anna didn’t let go of my hand the whole time. She didn’t even seem to notice or care that her parents were watching us. Since we’d come back from Los Angeles, she’d been unconsciously seeking out contact with me all the time. She hugged me a lot, wrapped her arm around my waist, held my hand or just plain old pressed herself to my side. I loved it and didn’t even think she knew she was doing it half of the time.
When we pulled up outside the hotel, the crowd of reporters were easy to see. The staff had cordoned off an area and they were all lined up ready with their cameras and microphones. Luckily, due to the tinted windows, they couldn’t see us yet. On the opposite side to the reporters, a gathering of onlookers waited excitedly too. Obviously word was spreading beyond just the press that this event was happening.
Anna winced and leant forward in her seat. “Are you sure that Ashton and I can’t sneak in through the back?” she asked her dad hopefully.
He sighed and shook his head apologetically. “I’m sorry, Annabelle, I need you to come in the front. We need to show a united front. I know it’s going to make things more difficult for you.”
I knew she didn’t want to do this at all; everything was going to change for her now. Once it was common knowledge who she was, her normal life that we had tried to build would change completely. Until now, her father had people managing the press so that it made it possible for her to remain in the shadows. Now that she was about to step out of this car with him, there would be no more paying off photographers to keep her name out of the tabloids and magazines. I squeezed her hand gently, trying to reassure her that everything would be fine. We’d spoken about it a lot recently, so I knew exactly how she felt about it; she was putting on a convincing show for her parents though.
“It’s fine, don’t worry,” she smiled, waving her hand dismissively. She squeezed my hand tighter, so I knew she was lying through her teeth. Her parents looked like they bought it.
As soon as the car rolled to a stop, someone opened the door and waved her parents out but then held up a hand to tell us to wait in the car. People cheered, shouting their names excitedly as the cameras flashed in a nonstop stream. I took a deep breath and snapped my business head back on. I turned in my seat.
“You don’t leave my side, and you stay within my reach at all times,” I ordered, trying to sound stern with her. I hated telling her what to do but I needed to keep her safe, she was the most important thing in the world.
She grinned. “Yes, Mr Sexy SWAT Agent,” she flirted, raising one eyebrow at me. I couldn’t help but smile. Before I could answer, the same guy stuck his head in the door and waved us out of the car too. I climbed out first, doing a quick survey of the area. Dean was already out of the car that had travelled in front of us; I could see he was scanning the crowd for trouble too. He nodded discreetly, so I turned and held out a hand to Anna.
Her hand closed over mine, gripping so tightly that my fingers mashed together. She stepped out; biting on her bottom lip so hard that I was afraid she’d bite it in two.
“Miss Spencer, Mr Taylor, if you would just follow me, and pose for a couple of photos?” the flustered organiser guy requested, ushering us forward. This was probably Reginald, the publicist.
We both followed behind him, stopping where he pointed before he announced our names and that Anna was Senator Spencer’s daughter. As soon as he said who she was, the cameras started flashing in our direction, so many flashes that I could barely even tell where they were coming from. I pulled Anna closer to me.
She turned to look at me, smiling her beautiful smile. “Oh my God, this is crazy,” she whispered, laughing. I grinned and nodded. Crazy wasn’t exactly the word I would have used. A piece of her hair blew across her face, so I brushed it back into place, smiling down at her.
“Totally freaking crazy,” I confirmed.
Reginald stepped in front of us, holding up a clipboard, trying to shield us from the continuing flash of the paparazzi. “Okay, that’s great. The reporters are going to want to ask you a few questions,” he said, as he pointed to a huge line of people with microphones and video cameras. Anna tensed next to me as we followed him over to the right place. Nerves settled in the pit of my stomach. “Just a couple of questions, guys. One at a time, alright?” he instructed, pointing to the first person standing there.
Anna tightened her already vice-like grip on my hand. I smiled, silently wondering if she thought I was going to run away and leave her here. The first reporter, a woman in her early thirties I would guess, grinned excitedly as she looked Anna over quickly, clearly debating on her one question so that she didn’t waste it.
“Miss Spencer, who designed the dress? It’s beautiful.”
I laughed. Of all the things she could ask, and she asks about the dress. Typical woman! Anna smiled and looked down at herself. “I know, it’s incredible. It’s by an English designer called Mary Shaun; I think she’s going to be the next big thing. I love her designs,” she answered easily, as if she was expecting this to be like torture or something. I was half a step behind her.
Reginald pointed to the next reporter who was obviously more prepared than the first and wasn’t as concerned about fashion. “Miss Spencer, what do you think of your father being elected?”
She beamed a killer smile. “It’s great. He’s worked extremely hard and his policies are worth supporting. I’m immensely proud of him.”
“Miss Spencer, who’s your date tonight?” the next reporter asked.
My back stiffened because I wasn’t expecting to be mentioned at all. I was a nobody. Anna laughed and tugged on my hand so that I had to take a half step forward to be at her side.
“This is my boyfriend, Ashton Taylor,” Anna answered, smiling up at me. I couldn’t help but smile back. I was so proud to have those words come out of her mouth, even if they weren’t strictly true. My boyfriend, Ashton. I loved that.
“How long have you two been together?” the next reporter asked quickly, using up their question.
“A year and three months,” Anna lied quickly. That was how long we had told people at college that we were together, so we needed to keep up the pretence for them.
“Miss Spencer, will you be working for your father’s administration?” the next one asked.
She shook her head in response. “No, I’m actually in college at the moment.”
My stomach clenched, and I squeezed her hand warningly, praying for her not to elaborate. While we’d discussed possible scenarios about what would happen once people knew who she was, I’d already instructed her not to give away any details of her life. Thankfully, she didn’t elaborate though, so I breathed a sigh of relief. We were on the last reporter now, and then I could get her inside and stop being so damn worried about her safety. We both looked at the last reporter expectantly.
The lady smiled. “Mr Taylor, what’s it like dating the future President’s daughter?”
Anna laughed, and I smiled at her nervously. I had no idea why this woman would waste her question on me. Not having practiced anything for myself, I decided to answer her question with the truth. “Well, to be honest, it was a little intimidating being taken home to meet the parents,” I joked. Anna laughed, as did half of the reporters who were still filming and taping us. “Honestly though, it’s been the best time of my life. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” I said honestly. I bent my head and kissed her on the forehead.
Anna’s eyes shone with happiness and joy as she smiled up at me, clearly impressed by my answer.
Reginald stepped forward once more. “Okay, that’s it folks. Only one question each. Miss Spencer and Mr Taylor would like to get inside and enjoy the celebrations.” He waved us towards the door so I pulled her inside quickly, happy that it was all over.
My body relaxed as we made it through the doors. From the corner of my eye, I saw Dean slip into the building behind us. He nodded at me discreetly, signalling that everything was satisfactory.
“That was insane,” I muttered, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her body close to mine.
“I know, but it’s done now though,” she sighed deeply, looking relieved. She nodded towards the sign that was sitting in the foyer of the hotel, announcing the way to the private function in the ball room. “Think that’s us,” she muttered, slipping her hand into mine.
Formal didn’t quite cover the posh party that I was currently in the midst of. The dinner had been exquisite; on the small side though, so I was glad I’d eaten a sandwich beforehand. After dinner, there were a couple of speeches and people wishing Anna’s father happy birthday and offering stories of him when they first met or witty anecdotes on something he’d done or said at some point in their friendship. It was nice and intimate. Of course, because Anna was underage, and I was pretending to be, we had to toast with non-alcoholic champagne.
Finally the speeches finished, and a big band started to play. I smiled, wanting to escape the stuffy people that were seated on our table with us. “Want to dance?” I asked Anna.
She smiled happily and nodded. “Sure,” she replied, taking my hand. I stood up and proudly led her to the dance floor, pulling her as close as I could without being all over her.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I whispered. I didn’t just mean how she looked tonight; I meant how she was conducting herself with grace and poise when she probably hated this whole thing and the attention that was being directed at her. I was immensely proud of her right now.