Ripping Pages by Rachel Rae

have to stop and talk to a lot, and I mean a lot, of people. Are you sure you're up for this?” He asked, concerned.
    I looked at the huge crowd blocked off by security and the enormous red carpet full of celebrities and reporters and paparazzi, and my stomach was in knots.
    James still fresh on my mind, I started to reevaluate us.
    What was I doing? What? Was I just going to be his arm candy until he found some groupie or hottie? He was going on tour soon… and then what? I had a career to think about.
    But when I looked over at a worried Van, my fears vanished. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to see where this went. I wanted to be his .
    I nodded and swallowed hard. I could do this. I liked being under the radar, but if I wanted to see where this would go with this beautiful man, I would have to be pushed into the spotlight.
    “I'm ready.”
    He kissed me on my forehead and grabbed my chin, looking me in the eyes attentively.
    “I think I'm falling for you, Sweetness. You're unlike anyone I've ever met.” He kissed me sweetly and then opened the door. He stepped out and held a hand out to me. I took it and then the real craziness began. It was so loud and the lights were blinding. We walked along the red carpet, and Van stopped to take photos as we did. I tried to step out of the way when they asked Van to pose alone. He grabbed me around the waist and politely told them, “I'm here with my breathtaking date. She goes where I go.” He winked and smiled, and the women and even some men, swooned.
    We followed the carpet until we were ushered inside. The Waldorf Astoria was the place of my dreams. It was so exquisite and fine.
    We entered the grand ballroom and into a land of wonder. The theme for the night was Storybook Dreams for Van's charity, Whitaker's Whimsical Wishes. I was in awe as caterers and waiters alike were all dressed in the finest costumes. There were giants, ogres, fairies, witches and princesses, all milling about talking to tons of children dressed to the nines who were the guests of honor.
    Van introduced me to several prestigious people, some of whom I had seen in gossip magazines and on television. It was very surreal. As I appraised the room, Van guy-hugged someone I couldn’t see on the other side of him. When Van turned to me, I saw a familiar Mohawk and that sexy face from Sloan's party that Tatum had been shamelessly flirting with. Van introduced me to Jensen. With all his piercings and tattoos and that foot high Mohawk, he looked out of place, but then I looked at his outfit and realized that only a guy this hot could pull off all that and a red suit with satin black lapels. He looked extremely Rock n Roll, but he had the kindest face I had ever seen. I instantly liked him. “Jensen, this is Tinley Michaels.”
    “It's nice to meet you, Jensen,” I said and stuck out my hand in offering. He pulled me into a tight and family kind of hug, and whispered in my ear, “I don’t know what you're doing to him, but keep it up. I haven’t seen him this happy in a very long time.” He pulled away smiling at me, and I stood there shocked.
    I couldn’t do anything, but give him a small smile. Was Van happier because of me? This was all happening much too fast. I mean, I met the guy a week ago and here we were… and shit was getting all kinds of serious.
    I tried to quiet my mind and just enjoy the party. Van walked us over to an older man. When he turned around, he was Van twenty years from now. He was gorgeous. He had Van’s dark hair, although, his was graying a bit at the temples. He had the same mesmerizing gray eyes, and I could see under his designer suit that he had a very nice body.
    Well, if this was any indication, Van should age extremely well.
    “Dad,” Van said as his father ended his conversation with Donald Trump.
    Really? The Donald? This was too unreal.
    “Dad, this is Tinley Michaels. My girlfriend.”
    Shit! Girlfriend. Ok this was not going to slow down. We were just