“I understand. I’d feel the same way if a bunch of guys were talking about you that way. But since Seaside, I’ve come to realize that this world is full of cruel, ruthless people – all ready to knock you down the minute you show the slightest bit of weakness.”

Ryan rubbed my arms. “I at least have a few years under my belt dealing with it. I know it’s all new to you and it’s going to affect you in many ways, just like it’s affected me. We need to be strong together. It’s you and me against the world, Honey.”

“That sounds like it’s from a movie!” I joked.

“Probably. But it doesn’t mean we can’t use the same line in our story.” He softly kissed my lips.

“Are you going back to work?” He started digging in his bag when he asked.

“Yeah. I told Marie I was going to have dinner with you and that I’d be back. What’s that?” He had a few blue colored papers in his hand.

“It’s tomorrow’s call sheet. It’s like an agenda. What scenes we’re going to shoot, times, my lines… all of that fun stuff. I was going to go…” he motioned over his shoulder, “read.” He smiled impishly.

“Do you want your love letters too?” I teased, knowing where he was headed.

“Don’t you have a pub to run?” he groaned. His phone started to play some really cool music again. I could make out the words ‘home, home.’

“My dad,” he answered my look.

“Hey Dad, what’s up?” His smile disappeared. “What do you mean they cancelled your flight? Oh, so when are you coming then? Wait, let me write that down.” He motioned for a pen. I introduced him to the junk drawer.

Ryan wrote down Flight 1560 Newark 10:30 a.m. “I won’t be able to make it ‘cause I’m scheduled to be on set. You don’t need a rental car, just take a shuttle over to the hotel. Well, I was going to come to the airport to get you but I can’t do ten thirty, Dad. No, I haven’t been staying at the hotel.” He took a deep breath and looked at me.

“I’ve been staying with Taryn. She’s willing to put up with me.” He smiled as he spoke. “Yes, she is a wonderful woman! You’ll see.

“Dad, you and mom only need to stay at the Lexington Thursday and Friday... because we’re taking you somewhere for the weekend.”

I flagged his attention. “I can pick them up at the airport,” I mouthed.

He held one finger up for me to wait. “Dad, hang on.”

“I can pick them up if they need a ride to the hotel. I don’t think there’s a shuttle from Providence all the way to Seaport.”

He covered his phone with his hand. “I was going to see if I could get one of the limo drivers to go get them. Hang on,” he groaned.

“What Dad? I was going to see if I could get one of the set drivers to come get you but Taryn just offered to pick you up. No, she owns her own business, remember?” He talked over his phone to me. “Do you mind getting my parents at the airport?”

“No, I don’t mind,” I answered him.

“Lexington Hotel, Dad. That’s where you’ll be staying,” Ryan informed his father.

“Why don’t your parents just stay here?” I suggested.

“Here?” He contemplated, a dent formed in his brow.

“Guestroom?” I pointed towards the hallway.

Ryan couldn’t wait any longer; he hurried out of the kitchen and I headed for my pub.

Most of the fanatics had vacated the bar by the time I returned. The crowd was thin and very manageable for Marie and Cory. There were maybe twenty women still lingering in the bar.

“That was a smart thing Ryan did,” Marie stated. “After you both went upstairs, most of the women left. Look out front.”

I walked closer to the windows and looked outside. The sidewalks were surprisingly empty. There were a few greasy paparazzi still loitering, but the horde of women was gone. Apparently it was known that Ryan Christensen was in for the evening.

“So what are your thoughts about managing the bar in my absence?” I wanted to make sure Marie was okay with me taking off for a few days, especially considering what happened tonight with his fans.

“Tar, you haven’t had a vacation in years. This is a huge step! Go, have fun with him and his parents. Who knows, maybe you’ll come back married or something wonderful like that.”

“Yeah, like that will happen!” I kidded. “But in all honesty, I have been thinking about stuff like that. This place has been my whole life. Now - not so much, you know.”

“Your priorities have changed,” she stated.

“Yeah, I’ll say!” I nervously admitted.

Marie pointed to the ceiling. “His schedule is so different. He’s going to expect you to travel and be with him wherever he is. And I tell ya, if I was you, I’d follow him anywhere!”

I smirked at her.

“That’s not what I mean! Well, it is what I mean, but that’s beside the point. Before I knew him, I had this mental picture of him as a celebrity. But he’s more than that, I know that now. That’s why you’re head over heels in love with him. He’s just a really great guy! And it seems like he is ready to settle down with someone. He’s not playing the field, that’s for sure!”

“Yeah, I’d have to agree… considering he sort of moved in with me yesterday,” I muttered, bracing myself for her reaction.

“What?” Marie gasped from the shock.

“We had his clothes delivered so we could get his laundry done and well, he asked me if he could stay with me.” I took another deep breath, anticipating her elation. “All of his stuff is upstairs now. That’s why he’s up there. He wants to stay here.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” She beamed in amazement and then pulled me in for a congratulatory hug while jumping up and down.

“No! I’d never kid about that!” I whispered as we hugged. “That’s why I have a lot to think about, because this pub is what I do for a living.”

“It’s not all you do,” she reminded.

“I know, but it’s my primary income. I don’t want to be solely dependent on my husband’s income, even if he isn’t the one I end up marrying. I want to have a strong, equal part in this relationship. And I’m not going to repeat my mistakes and give up who I am. ”

“You’ve been a shrewd businesswoman so far. I’m sure you’ll make smart choices.”