The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance

by K. G. Fletcher

  As she was putting the final touches of her makeup on, she heard a knock at the door and then Jordan happily talking to David in the hallway. She finished up quickly and looked at her reflection in the mirror, smiling cheerfully. Her hand inadvertently rested on her stomach.

  “I’m really happy for you two,” Jordan said.

  “Thank you. It’s been an astonishing reunion.” His eyes lit up when he saw Lauren come out of the bedroom lugging a large suitcase. He immediately came to her aid. “Allow me, love.”

  “Thank you.”

  The three of them said their good-byes and Lauren followed David down the stairwell to the street. She was shocked by the site of a striking blue Jaguar SUV shimmering like new in the sunlight.

  “I thought we were taking my car,” she teased.

  David pursed his lips as if to keep a huge grin at bay. “I thought I would do the driving this time.” He loaded her bag next to his in the back before opening the passenger door for her. He kissed her temple as she slid onto the leather seat, his eyes radiating pure joy.

  The car was fully loaded with all the bells and whistles you could imagine. The interior was spacious and luxurious and Lauren breathed in the new car smell with pleasure. Her favorite part was the sliding panoramic roof that allowed an expansive view of the sky.

  “Don’t get too attached,” he warned, as if reading her mind. “This car is on loan while I’m in Georgia. One of the perks of knowing a certain racecar driver with connections.” He winked at her and started the vehicle. The engine hummed while he effortlessly maneuvered onto the street.

  The Atlanta downtown traffic was light, and they made good timing getting through the city headed south on Interstate 75. The Southern spring foliage along the highway was dotted with colorful azalea bushes and blooming dogwood trees and the sky was a gorgeous shade of powder blue. David drove the luxurious automobile at a steady seventy-five miles per hour with one hand firmly gripped on the polished wooden steering wheel, the other holding her hand. She was relaxed for the first time in weeks and couldn’t help but doze off a couple of times while David listened to a classic oldies station. They stopped once to take a break and continued making it to the college town in three and a half hours. She became his co-pilot, telling him which way to go to get to her parent’s home, her heart fluttering with excitement. They were just about to turn onto the street where she grew up when she started to panic.

  “Can you pull over real quick?” she asked.

  He turned and looked at her with immediate concern. “What’s the matter? Are you ill?”

  “Just… pull over for one minute.”

  David pulled the car over to the curb and put it in park. He turned his whole body to face her. “What is it?”

  Lauren swallowed and looked down at her hands, clenched so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were turning white. “I’m excited for my parents to meet you.” She paused and looked at him bashfully. “I’m just not sure I’m ready to tell them I’m pregnant with your child.”

  An understanding smile crossed his face as he reached his hand up to squeeze her shoulder. “I understand. It’s a major announcement—you can tell them when you’re good and ready. You’re probably trying to come to grips with the news yourself. It’s a lot to process.”

  She leaned her cheek onto his hand with relief and stared at him intently. “Thank you. I just want them to enjoy meeting you and getting to know you. They can be very dramatic and the news of a baby would probably send my mother into a tailspin. Before you know it, she’d be on the phone with a realtor buying the house next door to them so she could take care of all of us.”

  David chuckled. “I completely understand. Having two parents who teach theater is probably very dramatic at times. I’ll tell you what. We’ll wait to tell them on our next visit.”

  His reassurance made her feel better, and she offered him a heartfelt smile. “I love you,” she whispered. Those three little words effortlessly glided across her tongue. She’d never been so sure of anything in her entire life.

  His smile was immediate as he pulled her in for a quick kiss on the mouth. “I love you too, Lauren. Everything is going to work out brilliantly.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Dr. and Mrs. Randy Rose were the perfect hosts as they sat around the large dining room table eating baked chicken and roasted vegetables. They welcomed David with open arms and chatted excitedly about his thriving career in the modeling business. The Brit was treated like any other dinner guest and they didn’t appear star struck in the least, much to Lauren’s relief. Secretly pleased, she watched him effortlessly win her parents over with his sincerity and English charm, telling them stories of his latest adventures in Italy. As he rubbed her thigh back and forth with his free hand under the table while sipping on red wine, her told them stories of his latest adventures in Italy.

  “I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy or Greece,” her mother lamented. “Is it really as beautiful as it is in all the movies and pictures?”

  “Yes, it’s quite lovely. You really should go if you have the chance.”

  Her father leaned in with purpose and Lauren knew he was about to dive into one his deep thoughts. “Greek drama dates back to the fifth century BC in Athens. Audiences used to sit on hillsides to watch performances. There’s still the remnants of a stone theater there today—the Theatre of Dionysus. I’ve always wanted to go and see it.”

  “Daddy….” Lauren warned.

  “Yes,” David continued. “I believe the early theater started out as a festival celebrating Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility.”

  “You know theater history?” Dr. Rose asked, obviously impressed.

  “David knows a lot about everything,” Lauren teased, smiling at him.

  “I’ve done quite a few shoots in that area and I’m definitely a history buff,” he grinned lifting his wine glass into the air. “Cheers to wine, fertility and to theater.”

  “Here, here!” her father concurred exuberantly, making everyone at the table laugh.

  Lauren lifted her glass of water into the air, hoping her parents hadn’t noticed the untouched full glass of wine at her place setting. She was overjoyed David fit right in with her family. She was sad, however, that her sister, brother-in-law and nephew, Jackson couldn’t make it last minute. There would be plenty of time for more family gatherings, especially when she and David’s family grew from two to three.

  Gathering up the dishes, Lauren and her mother made their way into the kitchen, insisting the guys relax at the table and finish their wine before dessert. Dr. Rose poured some more into David’s glass before finishing off the bottle into his own.

  “Thank you, sir,” David said.

  “You’re welcome. Where are you headed off to next?”

  Taking a lingering sip of the burgundy Cabernet, David thought for a moment before setting the stemware on the table. “New York. I’m presenting an award to a fashion designer at a ceremony Sunday night. Lauren will be my beautiful date.”

  Dr. Rose smiled. “Yes, my daughter is a beautiful woman. In fact, she’s glowing since she met you.”

  “Oh?” David’s stomach lurched. Did he know she was pregnant? How could he?

  “I’m certainly glad you were both able to work things out since February. The last time I saw her, she was a little upset after saying good-bye to you.”

  David nodded remembering his own sorrow that sad day when they had said good-bye. “Well, I don’t want to be apart from your daughter ever again, sir.” His breath hitched before he sat up straight and clasped his hands in front of him on the table. He was astonished at how his entire body began to tremble with nerves. “Dr. Rose, I should like to marry your beautiful daughter, with your permission of course.”

  Dr. Rose’s eyes became wide and a slight smile crossed his face. “Are you asking for my daughter’s hand in marriage?”

  “Yes, sir. I love her very much. I promise, I’ll take very good care of he
r.”

  Dr. Rose pushed his chair away from the table and stood, looking at David with a raised eyebrow. He nodded before he slowly walked around the table and stood right in front of him extending his hand. David stood and thrust his hand into his.

  “Welcome to the family, son.”

  ***

  It had only been two days since David appeared on Good Morning America in New York. Upon their arrival in a chartered plane from Valdosta, the entire city felt different to him—it felt alive and vibrant. He was overjoyed Lauren’s father had given him his blessing and relished every second finally having Lauren by his side. They didn’t tell her parents about the pregnancy. He meant what he said about wanting her to feel comfortable and tell them when she was ready.

  The plane ride from Georgia to New York was smooth and uneventful, the two lovebirds snuggling close to each other, animatedly talking the entire flight, making plans for their future together. In the back of his mind, he knew he was officially going to ask her to marry him on their way to the awards ceremony later in the evening. He couldn’t wait to let the whole world know from the red carpet that she was his fiancé.

  The limo pulled up to the opulent entrance of the Plaza Hotel. The doormen were quick and efficient, gathering their bags and sheltering them from a few curious onlookers and paparazzi who were on the prowl. It was early afternoon and David wanted to get Lauren settled so he could meet with a particular jeweler and secure her engagement ring before the glam squad showed up to get them ready for the awards ceremony. The Carnegie Suite looked exactly the same as the last time they’d been to New York, only the view of Central Park was in full spring bloom. He watched Lauren smile and lean in to smell the flowers on display in an expensive vase perched on a side table. He couldn’t help but bite his lip to suppress his own grin. He was deliciously content.

  “Are you happy, love? You look absolutely radiant.”

  She appeared to blush before she approached him and looked up into his face. “I’m very happy.” Wrapping her arms around his waist, she lay her head on his broad chest. “I’m also starving.”

  “Well, there’s a surprise!” he laughed, resting his chin on her head. He was glad to see her appetite return. “I shall order you a late lunch before I head out to my meeting.”

  “You really have to go?” She sighed, looking up at him with puppy-dog eyes.

  “I’m afraid so, darling. I won’t be long. You need to eat and then rest for a bit. I’ll be back before you know it.”

  ***

  David was pleased with himself, slipping out of the hotel unnoticed and into the car service waiting for him per his instructions. He had an appointment with the Tiffany Concierge at the flagship store located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fifty-Seventh Street two blocks from the hotel. It wasn’t worth the risk of walking on his own to the store and being inundated with fans and paparazzi without a disguise.

  As the car pulled up to the curb of the famous jewelry store, he couldn’t help but smile at the iconic granite and limestone Art Deco building with the words “Tiffany & Co.” etched into the stone. He quickly walked through the stainless-steel front door entrance guarded by a nine-foot bronzed figure of Atlas shouldering a clock high above. An impeccably dressed older gentleman greeted him and escorted him into a private viewing room.

  Several engagement rings were already laid out on swaths of dark blue velvet, sparkling under the Tiffany lamps. David already knew which ring he wanted for Lauren and eyed it immediately. The striking two-carat, pear-shaped diamond was surrounded by bead-set diamonds in an unusual platinum design, giving it a halo effect. It was classic and feminine; the perfect choice for Lauren Rose. He listened to the concierge give him all the particulars about the diamonds, which radiated a light all their own. Looking through the loupe that magnified the stones, he inhaled quickly, taking in the magnificent pear-shaped diamond in all its glory, knowing he’d made the right choice.

  With the iconic blue box tied with a thin, white ribbon in hand, he exited the store and was shocked when several paparazzi surrounded him. Cameras went off like fireworks and several loud voices fired off questions as to why he was shopping at Tiffany’s and for whom. Slipping his sunglasses over his eyes, he quickly got in the car as his driver held the door open for him. Someone must have tipped these scumbags off, letting them know he was in town. He wasn’t about to tell them anything. They’d find out soon enough on the red carpet. The world’s most famous super model was about to be engaged.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Sabastian William’s eyes looked like slits in his round face as he concentrated putting the final touch of makeup on Lauren’s face. She sat in a comfortable chair in the large bathroom of their suite, dressed in a hotel robe. Several colored garment bags hung on a rolling clothing rack brought in earlier, and she wondered curiously what David picked out for her to wear to the ceremony. Her experience with this glam squad was totally different than the last time, much to her relief. David made sure to bring in an entirely different team he hand-picked. As he waited patiently nearby in the sitting room, they doted on her.

  Sabastian was quiet and kind and from what David told her, he was a brilliant makeup artist in the New York fashion industry. His thick, English accent was much more pronounced than David’s, and she had a hard time understanding him, which made him laugh several times, repeating himself very slowly and deliberately. A top hair stylist from the famous John Barrett salon had come earlier, curling her honey hair with a large, round-barrel iron, making her look like a Hollywood actress from the 1940s. He went on and on about how beautiful her crowning glory was, adamant she leave it down so it could be admired. Lauren was secretly pleased and loved his antidote that hair should be “a glamorous extension of who she was on the inside.” The long, golden curls lying against her chest were perfect, making her feel confident and beautiful.

  Sabastian stepped away, finally allowing her to see the finished product in the large mirror. With a sharp inhale, she blinked, not sure if the woman staring back was herself. The makeup looked impeccable and enhanced her natural beauty. There was nothing gothic or outrageous about it.

  “You’re quite an astonishing beauty,” he said, laying his palette of lip color on the vanity. “And I don’t say that often. Do you like what you see, dearie?”

  She smiled as a pinkish hue swept across her flawless face. “Oh, yes,” she whispered breathlessly.

  Kissing Sebastian’s cheeks, she closed the door after he left with his leather makeup case in tow. With her hands on her hips, she pondered which garment bag to open first. There were four of them hanging on the rack and she remembered David politely suggesting trying the single black bag, first. With her manicured fingers, she unzipped the case and pulled out a stunning, sheer, silk-chiffon gown. The sleeveless, floor-length champagne-colored dress was adorned with glittering florals that shimmered in the light. She held the dress up to her chest and looked in the mirror. The color enhanced her creamy skin, giving it a dreamlike glow. Right away, she knew this was the perfect dress for the evening and didn’t bother to look at the others. She quickly let the robe fall to the floor and stepped into the beautiful fashion piece, smiling at the daring V-neck showing a touch of skin for evening-appropriate allure.

  “Valentino,” she whispered in awe, aware David had probably gone to great lengths to acquire such a gorgeous gown.

  There was a light knock on the door before he peeked his head in. She turned to him holding the dress up at her chest.

  “Oh my God,” he uttered, standing in the door frame. He was already dressed in his Ralph Lauren tuxedo, looking like he just stepped off a fashion runway. “You look absolutely stunning.”

  Lauren blushed, batting her eyes at him. “Thank you. This has been an amazing experience. Your team is incredible.” She turned and looked back into the mirror. “This dress is incredible!”

  David smiled as he approached and stood behind her. Gently, he scooped her long curls to the
side, the touch of his fingertips along her bare back sending shivers up her spine as he zipped up the gown. They both stared into the mirror at one another, Lauren’s small hands covering his large ones wrapped around her waist, resting on her tummy.

  “I can’t wait to show you off on the red carpet,” he whispered, kissing her lightly on her exposed neck. “I’ve waited a long time to introduce you to my world.”

  She closed her eyes and relished his warm lips on her skin. He rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’m glad you like the dress. It’s vintage Valentino.”

  “Of course I like it. I love it!” she exclaimed. “How were you able to do all of this, David? Did Sabrina help you?”

  His smile faded. “No. She did not. Her track record isn’t what you might call, exemplary.” He turned her around so they faced one another. “I know a lot of people in this city. Let’s just say they were more than happy to accommodate my needs.” He palmed her cheek and kissed the tip of her nose. His blue eyes were intense. “We need to get going soon. Your shoes and clutch are on the bed.”

  Lauren curiously exited the bathroom and noticed a pair of ivory, double strap heels and a crystal embellished Swarovski clutch sitting on the king-sized bed. She shook her head, impressed by his innate attention to fashion detail. He was definitely a professional in a league all his own. She sat and buckled the straps of the shoes before grabbing a tube of lip gloss and some mints to put in the bag. David leaned against the doorway of the bathroom with his arms crossed, watching her. His face was illuminated with what she thought looked like pure bliss making her heart surge with love. Tonight was magical—she could feel it humming under her glowing skin.