Thank you to everyone who left a review on Chapter 6! Hope you guys enjoy Chapter 7!


ERIN

"She wants to do what now?" I say, trying to remain calm as I feel my heart beating out of my chest, my mood greatly contrasting the serene scene before me in the backyard of the house, my legs stretched out before on the lawn.

"She told me that there is no way around it and honestly Erin, it'll be a good thing in the long run." He says, "If shit hits the fan, Abby's a good ally to have and we're going to want her on our side,"

"What is she hates me?" I ask. "What if she wants nothing to do with me and goes running to your mom and then this thing is over before it even starts,"

"She won't." He assures me, his voice cracking up slightly over the phone. "She'll love you, don't worry about it,"

"Jay I'm going to worry about it," I assure him. I worry about everything, I have my entire life.

"Fine, then distract yourself. You'll get to see me too," He offers in an attempt to curb my anxiety. Though it does little to help, it is a nice gesture.

"That is a nice thought," I say with a smile. "So when are we doing this anyway? And where?"

"That's up to you," He tells me.

"Me?" I say.

"Yeah, I could come out to Santa Barbara with Abby, Graham and Emmy, we would play it off as a family vacation," He explains to me, the confidence in his words telling me that he's done this before. I always thought it would be fun to be famous, but after getting to know Jay the past couple weeks I'm not so sure.

"None of the media would think it was strange that you were in Santa Barbara twice in less than a week?" I question.

"I don't think so, but we can always fly you out here for the weekend," He offers. "It'd be the easiest thing and I wouldn't have to move a security detail with you,"

"No security is very tempting," I say as I contemplate the idea. "I wouldn't have to meet your entire family right?"

"No," He tells me with a laugh, "Just my sister, her husband and their daughter Emerson,"

"And they'll like me?" I ask nervously.

"They're going to love you," He assures me again. "Abby is going to be harsh on you at first,"

"Like how?" I question nervously.

"She's been hard on all of my girlfriends, she just wants to make sure you aren't in it just for the fame or the money,"

"But you told her what was going on, she know's my situation," I say confused. Honestly, I'm a little offended that she thinks I'm just in it for the money or for the fame. Anyone who knows me would know how not me that is, but then again, she doesn't know me.

"She needs to see it for herself," He tells me sympathetically, "I'm sorry Er, if there was anyway around it, I would have taken it. But this is just how my family works,"

"No," I tell him, running my fingers through my loose hair. I don't want him to blame himself for this, I knew exactly what I was getting into. "I knew what I signed up for. And better your sister than your parents right?"

"True," He says with a laugh, "It's just all really fast, I haven't even taken you on a real date,"

"They'll be plenty of time for that later," I assure him. "I have to go," I say reluctantly.

"Okay," He says, trying to hide his disappointment, "I'll look at some flights and we can figure out the details later,"

"Alright," I say. "I'll talk to you later okay?"

"Bye," He tells me.

"Bye," I say before hanging up the phone. It's weird, having so many restrictions and so much red tape and I can't say I'm happy about it. I've dated too much, but I've had a few boyfriends and it's so strange to start a relationship like this. I know that I'm falling fast and I know that that's dangerous, but I just can't help myself. I hope that this isn't just lust and I think he's worth but it, but I have to make sure.

But I know that I have to call Camille. It's only been a few days and I already feel like I'm lying to her. I take a deep breath before I hit her number, the first of my list of favorites. I could have called her last night or anytime today, but I think I've just been gathering up the courage to actually pick up the phone.

"Hey baby," She says as she picks up on the second ring, "Is everything okay? I don't usually get calls from my favorite daughter in the middle of the week," She asks teasingly.

"I'm good," I tell her with a smile. "I'm really good actually,"

"Is there a new boy?" She questions. Damn it I knew she'd be able to tell, she always can.

"You know I can be happy for other reasons right?" I say, playing with her.

"I know, but you don't call me in the middle of the week to tell me about a paper or a girls night out, who is it?" She asks again.

"Remember the guy from the ball?" I say nervously. Of course she will, she's got a razor sharp memory.

"Yeah blue eyes right?" She says. I almost have to laugh, thinking of her description of him that night. Oh if only she knew.

"That's the one," I say, a smile forming on my face as his eyes come to mind, those gorgeous eyes.

"What about him. Does he live in Santa Barbara?" She says. I can almost see her twirling one of her graying blonde curls around her finger.

"Not exactly,"

"Oh the suspense," She whines, "Just tell me his name, we can discuss the rest of it later,"

"His name is Jay Halstead," I say, nervously waiting for her response. I can hear the silence on the other end of the line, each second feeling like an hour.

"As in the President Halstead?" She asks quietly.

"Yeah," I respond, my voice even smaller than hers.

"How long?" She asks, her voice quiet and cautious.

"Only a couple days," I assure her.

"Erin," She says, her voice trailing behind her. It sounds like she's disappointed in me, but I know she's not. She's just concerned and she's scared. I can tell by the sound of her voice that her thoughts went exactly where mine did; Charlie. As much as I've been running from him, they've been protecting me and no one wants to do anything to compromise my safety.

"I know," I respond, trying not to choke on my own words. "I'm being careful,"

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asks. I sigh at her words and take a deep breath before answering.

"No," I tell her truthfully, "It could be the worst idea I've ever had. But it could also be the best. And I'll never if I don't try,"

"And you're willing to try? Why is he worth it Erin? Is this really worth risking everything that we have worked so hard for,"

"I don't know," I tell her, "But I think it might be. So I'm going to leap and hope that I land on my feet,"

"You're a smart girl, I trust your judgement. Just Erin, I am begging you, please be careful." She says. I can hear the pleading in her voice. She saw first hand what happened last time and I know that all she's trying to do is protect me.

"The birds have got to fly the nest at some point Mama," I tell her.

"Yeah but do you really have to fly all the way to the White House?" She jokes.

"We'll see," I tell her. "Can you not tell Hank? Just for now at least, I need to catch my breath, but I want to be the one to talk to him,"

"Just promise me you'll talk to him before I see your face plastered on the front of Us Weekly,"

"I promise," I say with a slight laugh.

"Okay deal," She says. I can see the smile on her face on the other end of the line.

"I'm going to go, I love you," I tell her, longing to see her again. I know it's only been a couple of weeks since I saw her, but I didn't have anyone for most of my life. All I had was Bunny and since they found me, it's been hard to let go.

"I love you too Bear,"


"Are you sure you're okay with it?" Jay asks me for what feels like the hundredth time as walk through the terminal at LAX, another staunch reminder of everything that separates us.

It's been three weeks since we met in that coffee shop and in some ways, it feels like we've known each other our entire lives, but in other ways, it seems like it was just yesterday. But I've been patiently awaiting this day, when I would finally get to see him again. I've gotten to know him a lot better, I know that he's afraid of clowns and that his favorite weather is warm rain in the summer, and he had a recurring nightmare about the Seattle Space Needle when he was little. His favorite color is green, but a dark hunter green, not in your face neon, but he loves lime jello. His sisters all call him Jaybird and he wasn't shy about telling me that his favorite one was Abby, whose daughter calls him JJ. I always told myself that I'd never be this girl, the girl that freaks out and fantasizes about the guy she just met. But I am now. And it feels so good.

"I've flown commercial my entire life Jay, I'll be fine," I assure him with a smile.

"You know I could have a plane down there in an hour," He tells me again, half joking this time I think.

"Let's save that one for another day," I say with a smile, the hustle and bustle of the airport strangely comforting.

"Sounds good," He tells me. "Er I know I promised no Secret Service,"

"Really?" I say with a groan, knowing exactly what's coming next. I know I shouldn't complain about it and it's probably a good thing that they're going to be there, but I hate that my independence is being taken away.

"Abby insisted. Three of my guys, Atwater, Roman, and Dawson are going to pick you up at the airport and bring you back to my apartment. I'm sorry Er,"

"No, no, no don't apologize." I say, feeling unbelievably guilty. It's not his fault and I shouldn't have made him feel like it was. "It's fine, I'll see you when I get there. I'm going to go grab some food and finish up a paper, I'll text you before I take off,"

"See you soon," He tells me.

"Bye," I say as I hang up the phone, a stupid smile all over my face. I don't know what it is about him that makes me feel this way. I'm trying to keep myself grounded, keep my conversation with Camille in the back of my mind and making sure to move forward with my eyes open.

Due to my extreme anxiety, I arrived at the airport two hours before my flight and security ended up being much faster than I thought it would be, so now I have an hour and a half to kill. All of my roommates offered to drop me off, but I decided to go with Hailey. She seems to be the least fazed by all of this and I needed a break from the crazy and she was more than willing to help. I said a quick goodbye to her outside the terminal, made it through security and quickly located my gate, which brings us to hear, me rushing to finish the conclusion on a psych paper while sipping on a latte and picking at a croissant. I quickly pack up my laptop as I hear the first call for boarding, dashing the quick distance back to my gate and hopping in line, handing my ticket to the gate agent and heading on down the jetway.

As I glance down at my seat assignment, I can't help but roll my eyes. Seat 3A. How did I know that he was going to do this?

"Good morning," The flight attendant tells me as I step onto the plane, her hair perfectly coiled into a bun on the back of her head and an impeccable smear of red across her lips.

"Good morning," I say back to her, a kind, probably too kind smile across my face. I make my way down the short alise to seat 3A, tossing my carry on in the overhead bins and settling into the very comfortable seat. I pull out my phone to send a quick message to Jay.

First class? Seriously Jay you did not need to do that. I would have been fine in coach. -EL

It's just a ticket, relax and take a nap. I'll see you in a few hours, fly safe. -JH

I can't help by smile at his message, but I follow his instructions and I'm out before the doors even close.


"We are beginning our final descent into Washington DC," I hear over the intercom as I shake myself awake, uncurling my legs from under me and stretching out for the first time in, well apparently five hours. I yawn and rub my eyes, looking out to see darkness over the city of Washington, followed by a growl in my stomach, remembering that I haven't really eaten since this morning. "The local time is 8:34 PM and the temperatures are holding steady around 62 ℉. The captain has asked that you please fasten your seatbelts and keep them fastened until we are docked at our gate." The intercom buzzes out and I take this time to stare out at the city before me.

It really is beautiful, especially all lit up with the huge monuments sticking out in the skyline. I know I must look like a little kid, with my face glued to the window, but I can't help but stare and before I know it that lights have gone up and the voice over the intercom is thanking us for flying American Airlines.

I pull my backpack out from under the seat and grab my rollerboard from the compartment, quickly making my way through the airport. I can't help but laugh as I see the two Secret Service agents waiting at the bottom of the stairs, all decked out in the black and white suits and the black sunglasses, holding a sign reading E. Lindsay in front of them. If Jay wanted to be low key, he's not doing a great job. But at least one of them is smiling, so that's a step up from Toby, the guy who picked me up last time.

"Ms. Lindsay?" One of them calls from a bit of a distance away.

"That'd be me," I say as I approach them. "Nice to meet you,"

"I'm Agent Atwater," The smiling one says as he reaches out to shake my hand. It's only then that I notice how big his biceps are, but he does kind of seem like a big teddy bear.

"And I'm Agent Roman," The other one says, his expression sterner. "Let me take your bag,"

"Oh okay," I say, taken a bit off guard as I hand it over to him. There isn't anymore dialogue as I follow them outside to a parking garage, where I assume Agent Dawson is waiting. My suspicions are confirmed as I jump into the backseat, Atwater sitting next to me and Roman sitting shotgun with Dawson.

"We've heard a lot about you," Agent Atwater says as he looks over at me with that warm smile, "Jay's been looking forward to you visit Ms. Lindsay,"

"Please call me Erin," I insist.

"Then call me Kevin," He tells me with a grin. "Oh and we forgot to introduce you to Antonio Dawson,"

"Very nice to meet you as well," I say as I look forward at him as he nods at me in the rearview mirror. We don't talk very much on the way to Jay's apartment, but there is a little big of a dialogue and I can already tell that I like these guys much better than I liked Toby.

I feel the nerves start to build in my chest as we pull into the parking garage below Jay's apartment building. I don't know why, I talked to him only a matter of hours ago, but I'm just scared that things will be different. I don't know why they would be or how, but I just can't shake the feeling.

Well, only time will tell.


Hope you guys enjoyed chapter 7! If you did, please let me know in the reviews!

Xoxo,

Addie