34. Zayn
Zayn
“Annie, we need to go,” I yell down the hallway.
We are meeting Greg and Logan this morning to talk about the end of the contract since it’ll slow down a lot when we get to December.
“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Annie comes out of my room, my room, wearing the same dress she wore when she gave that damn presentation, and I’m weak in my knees all over again.
She saunters over to me, presses her hand to my jaw and says, “You dropped your jaw, Z,” then kisses my cheek.
She moves past me, getting coffee or tea I can only assume, but I’m able to slap her ass before she gets too far away.
She screeches and jerks forward, snapping her head to me. “Zayn Andrew Barnes, did you just slap my ass?”
I take two steps and pull her toward me, gripping her ass with both hands. “I couldn’t resist.”
She can’t help but let out a small moan when I grip her tighter and close the gap between us. I dip my head and press a kiss on her lips, feeling grateful I can do this whenever I want.
“I thought we needed to go,” she mumbles against my lips.
Shit. We do.
I groan, letting her go. “Why do we need to be responsible adults? Can we call in sick? That’s a thing, right?”
Annie places a hand on one hip and leans to that side. “We can’t do that, Zayn. They would know we’re faking it.”
“I don’t know Annie...” I say, walking past her to fill a to-go mug for her, since I distracted her enough that she forgot. “I feel like we are great at faking things until they are believable.”
Her expression drops. The smile that was there turns slightly down.
Fuck.
“Annie, that’s not what I meant—”
“No, it’s okay. You’re right. Let’s go.” She grabs the mug from my hand and rushes to the front door to slide on her shoes.
What do I do? Do I give her space? Do I run to her?
Talk and try to get her to understand that none of this is fake?
That I’m fucking falling in love with her and I’m trying my hardest not to?
In my previous relationship, we didn’t communicate.
If we had issues, we let them simmer until they went away, and all that was left were grudges and lots of bickering.
I don’t want that again, so I do what my gut is telling me to do.
“Annie.” I rush over to her, cupping her face with both hands. “Look at me, please.”
Her eyes snap to mine, and I can see water already pooling in her tear ducts. I fucking caused that.
“I didn’t mean it.”
“Zayn, it’s fine. I’m okay,” Annie says, clearly trying her hardest to convince me. Her eyes blink over and over again to keep her tears from falling.
“Sweetheart, this is...” I sigh. “This is new to me. I’m trying. I have a lot to learn. But one thing I do know is this... this,” I point between us, “is far from fake. Okay? This is real, as real as it fucking gets. I’m crazy about you.”
“You’re crazy about me ?” Her eyebrows narrow, and she has the cutest pout on her face.
“Have I not made it obvious? Have I not shown you that I worship the fucking ground you walk on? God, Annie, you’ve brought me back. My princess.” I pull her head toward me, pressing a kiss on top of her forehead.
“Well, you should know that I’m equally as crazy about you. It hasn’t been fake for me for a while.”
“Is this when I get to bend you over and fuck you over the island?”
Annie laughs, and the sound travels straight to my heart, sending sparks through my body and joy to my brain. This girl. I’m a goner.
“Let’s get this meeting over with.”
I groan loudly, making sure I follow it with an exaggerated eye roll. “Fine, but we are stopping for blueberry muffins.”
And when she smiles again, it reaches her eyes, and I know in that moment that I’ve found my way to her heart.
We reach the office within the hour. The sun shines bright today, so I’m hoping that means this meeting will go well. I grasp Annie’s hand as we walk toward the office.
“This okay?” I ask, noticing that her gaze tracks our hands as I interlace our fingers.
“I mean, yeah, but if we walk in there like this, they might get the idea that...” She trails off.
“That we are together?” I raise an eyebrow.
She nods.
“Good.” I pull open the front door of the building for us to enter.
“Good?” Annie asks.
“Yeah, Princess, good. I want the whole world to know you’re mine.” I lean to the right to press a kiss onto the top of her head. “Now, let’s go get this over with.” I tug her toward the elevator.
Greg and Logan are already here, waiting for us in one of the conference rooms.
“Ah, Zayn, Annie, good morning,” Greg says when we enter the room.
“Hi, Greg. Logan.” I greet them with a nod. I pull out a chair for Annie, then settle next to her. My hand finds a place on her leg.
Logan has an eyebrow raised. “This for real?”
I look over at Annie, her gaze pinned on me as her lips bloom into a smile.
“Yeah, Logan, this is real.” I return my eyes to him, and he just nods in response. But I see him smile even as his head turns down toward the table. I can see that he’s happy for me.
Greg doesn’t comment. We start with an overview of the articles that have been published recently and how I’m trending in the media. All positive things, thankfully.
“There’s been speculation about what you’re doing next, which is great. We want people to wonder what you’re doing because it will draw attention to the studio,” Logan comments.
That’s great. It’s what I wanted, but I can’t help but feel this sinking feeling in my stomach. I’m close to getting what I want, yet the future with Annie is unknown.
“And Annie, I have an update on your prospective client that would have you relocating to New York,” Greg says, eyes trained on the papers in front of him.
New York? She’s thinking about moving to New York? She hasn’t mentioned anything. I look over at Annie to gauge her reaction, but it’s unreadable.
“I didn’t realize it was moving forward,” Annie says, her voice slightly trembling. Her hands fidget on her lap. I move the hand that was on her leg and grasp one of hers, squeezing.
“It’s close, and we will need to talk about it to decide if that’s what you want to do. But as a reminder, it is the only option at the moment.”
Only option? That can’t be right. This city is overflowing with people who need PR help, and not just celebrities. There are plenty of restaurants and public figures that could use Annie’s brain.
Annie doesn’t respond, doesn’t ask questions, just nods. A smile is plastered on her face, but I know it’s fake. The mask she wears is back on, and she’s back to playing the role of a people-pleasing employee.
“Zayn, are you feeling good with the progress Annie has made? If this...” Greg looks to Annie, then back at me before continuing, “relationship is a distraction, we can find a new publicist for the rest of the contract.”
He wants to give someone else the credit that Annie’s earned? I’m only in this spot because of her. She brought me back to life, gave me the chance to work through my shit and realize that it’s not worth being angry over something that happened in the past.
“I don’t need a new publicist. Annie is perfectly capable of doing her job,” I tell him, narrowing my brows in his direction.
He has every right to be intimidated by me. If this goes well, and it will go well, people should be fighting to have Annie as their publicist.
That’s why I don’t understand why New York is the only option.
Greg simply nods, quickly looking at the paper in front of him.
He grumbles to himself, but instead of paying attention to him, I look at Annie.
Her eyes are also looking down at her lap, her hands still fidgeting.
I squeeze her hand to get her attention and when she meets my gaze I mouth, “ I got you. ”
She’s been here for me; now it’s my turn to be there for her. If New York truly is her only option, then I need her to know that I support her. I won’t be the one holding her back from chasing her dream, not when she’s so goddamned good at it.
“Logan, is there anything else we need to discuss? Or are we done here?” I don’t want to be in this room any longer. The air is stiff from tension, and it’s silent enough that we can hear people from down the hall.
“There are a few other things we need to talk about, mainly a few upcoming events.” Logan pushes a piece of paper my way, and I pick it up, holding it so Annie can read it with me.
Logan continues, “There is another gala this weekend, followed by a charity event at the Moonlight Club, and finally a holiday charity event, which will be the last public event for the two of you.”
My grasp on Annie’s hand tightens. If I have anything to say, this will not be the last public event we attend, fuck, didn’t Logan just confirm that this was real? Didn’t I say yes?
“It won’t be the last public event, just the last one on the contract,” I state, briefly making eye contact with Logan.
“Right, yes.”
“Who arranged these events? Why was I not informed?” Annie asks, her voice timid.
“I wasn’t sure if you could handle it, so I took care of the inquiries on your behalf. The emails came directly to me, so I didn’t see the need to forward them,” Greg replies, and I want to punch him in his face. Maybe then he’d get the hint that he’s a shit boss.
“Zayn is my client,” Annie says. She lets go of my hand and shifts forward. “If there are events where reporters will be present, I need to be made aware.”
Greg is silent for a moment, likely just as stunned as I am that she spoke back to him. He’s used to her being complacent, nodding, and doing whatever he says. He takes a deep breath before saying, “Annie, I know you’ve interned with us for the past two years—“
“Three,” I correct.
“Yes, right, three years. I know you’ve been busy with everything, so I wanted to lend my help. I know the next client in New York is low profile and won’t require as many events.”
This time Annie doesn’t say anything back, not a peep. She just nods, and nods again, like she’s trying to comprehend what’s going on here.
“Great, so that’s settled,” Greg says, standing up from his chair. “Keep Logan and I updated on the upcoming events, and Annie?”
“Hm?” Annie looks to Greg now, her eyes blinking as fast as she curls her lips inward.
“Think about New York. Let me know by the end of December. Your contract would begin January fifth, but we would need you out there by the first.”
“Oh, okay.” Annie nods again and smiles softly.
Greg leaves the office first, followed by Logan, who grips my shoulder and gives me a pity smile on the way out. Annie stands, says nothing to me, and starts to walk out of the conference room.
“Annie, wait,” I call after her, but it’s no use. She’s already halfway down the hallway, speed walking her way to her office.
I take larger steps, forcing myself to move quicker to catch up to her. I make it through the door just as it’s about to shut.
The door latches, and Annie throws herself into my arms, letting out the tears she was holding back for the last hour.
“It’s okay, Princess,” I say, running my hand through her hair. “We’ll get through this.”