Dave drives the car down Avenue du Général Lemonnier and enters the underground parking garage of the Louvre. A space nearest the lifts has been reserved for us, and there is an attendant already waiting to meet us.
Okay, so let this begin.
Dave parks up and he and Ben get out of the car.
Ben opens Jake’s door.
“You ready?” Jake asks me.
I can’t seem to answer. I’m frozen to my seat. In truth I’m scared and even more so now we’re here.
I’ve been living in a bubble with Jake. Our relationship this last week has been just him and I cocooned, despite all the Will stuff. Now we’re about to go out in public together and everyone will know I’m Jake Wethers’ girlfriend, and then it won’t just be him and me anymore. His world will become a part of us.
And I’m worried that it might take over.
“Give us a minute,” Jake says to Ben, grabbing the door, he closes it.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, turning to me, his gaze worried.
“I don’t know,” I shrug, finding my voice. “I guess it’s all just got a little real now, and I don’t mean us,” I add at his worsening expression. “I just mean you, who you are, the world you live in. The one I’m about to become a part of.”
He looks at me puzzled. “Tru, you’ve known all along how my life is.”
I take a deep breath. “I know, I guess … it’s just this – us going on our first date, and we have to bring Dave and Ben along with us, and Stuart has to call ahead to prepare them for your arrival – at the Louvre for god’s sake! That’s how famous you are, and it just feels … a lot crazy. And a little un-date like,” I add quietly, wringing my hands together in my lap.
“It is crazy, baby.” He takes hold of my hands, trying to soothe my tension. “And it’s a part of my life, granted – but not all of it. I know this part isn’t great and I’m sorry if this doesn’t feel like a date.” His lips turn down at the corners. “But I’ve never been on one before, so I’m kind of new to all this. You’re gonna have to help me out with this stuff, okay?”
“Of course I’ll help … I’m just – I guess I’m just a little scared.”
“What of?” He looks concerned again.
“The fact that my life is going to change, majorly, by being with you, and because of that, I might not be able to do things I used to.”
“Don’t be scared.” He tucks my hair behind my ear. “Nothing will change for you – I promise. I’ll make sure your life stays exactly the same, just with the added bonus of me in it.” He grins. “And this here today is a small thing. The people who come to the Louvre won’t have a care or a clue about who I am.”
“Yeah ‘cause art fans never listen to music, Jake.” I raise my eyebrow at him. “Everyone knows who you are.”
“Not everyone. I bet there are millions of people who don’t know me. And I bet every single one of them is in the Louvre today.”
“You’re an idiot,” I say, laughing.
“Takes one to know one.”
“It does.” I put my hand against his warm cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too, and everyone else will love you when they get to know you.”
“Except for your legions of female fans.”
“Yeah, well, maybe not them,” he grins.
I roll my eyes at him.
“But they will love you when they see how happy you make me … and you do, Tru – make me happy – you always did. I don’t know how I coped all those years without you.”
“Jonny,” I say gently.
He looks down.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.” I put my fingers under his chin, touching his scar, as I lift his head.
“You didn’t.” He meets my eyes. “It just makes me sad that Jonny’s never going to get the chance to feel about a girl, like I do you.”
“Then we’re just gonna have to live it twice as large for him.” I lean in and kiss his lips gently. “Come on, superstar. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Jake holds my hand tightly, as we walk toward the lift, us being led by the attendant and Dave, with Ben walking behind us.
I feel like I’m under armed guard because I’m carrying a precious cargo into the Louvre.
It’s so surreal.
We all ride up in the lift in silence. It’s making me a little fidgety.
We get out on the first floor, and standing outside the lift is a smartly dressed man, tall, dark wavy hair, and obviously waiting for us.
“Mr. Wethers,” he says, stepping forward as we exit the lift. “I’m Alexander Baudin. It is very good to meet you. We are absolutely delighted to have you visit us here at the Louvre today.”
His English is excellent, although heavily accented and very sexy sounding.
Jake shakes his outstretched hand. “Call me Jake, please, and this is my girlfriend, Trudy Bennett.”
“Lovely to meet you, Ms. Bennett,” Alexander Baudin says, taking hold of my hand to shake.
“So what were you looking to see today?” Alexander Baudin asks, walking forward. We follow.
“This wing of the Louvre we are currently in is where some of our many prints, drawings and paintings are home too. The likes of The Young Beggar, and of course our resident lady, the Mona Lisa.” He turns, smiling at us. “I am happy to accompany you today, give you a guided tour.”
“Thank you for the offer, but we’ll be fine,” Jake says, coming to a stop. “I’m sure you’re a busy man and I don’t want to interrupt your day.”
“It is no problem,” Alexander Baudin smiles.