Ivy wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at Steph, falling into another fit of giggles. They had spent the entire evening, drinking wine and watching movies. Steph had an uncanny talent for being able to come up with the most outlandish comments during the most serious moments and at this moment, Ivy loved her more for it.
She knew she was going to be tired and more than a little hungover in the morning, but it was a small price to pay. They hadn't talked at all about Nelson or what he had done. Ivy didn't think she could talk about it. Not right now. When Steph finally wound down and started nodding off, Ivy told her to go to bed.
When she'd made sure Steph made it to the bedroom, Ivy went to the guest room and curled up underneath the thick, warm covers. She slept fitfully, waking throughout the night. At five, she finally threw off the covers and grumbling to herself, got out of bed. She padded to the kitchen and made herself some coffee. She needed to at least resemble a human if she was going to make it through the day.
An hour later, after three cups of coffee and a scalding hot shower, Ivy felt somewhat better. She gathered her bags and left a quickly jotted note for Steph, thanking her for the evening and telling her she'd be back in a couple days. Picking up her bags and keys, Ivy took a deep breath and headed out the door.
~*~
"You look like shit."
Ivy looked up to find Justin standing in front of her. He was dressed in a pair of baggy jeans and an oversized jersey, a ball cap pulled low over his eyes. It never mattered that he tried to be inconspicuous. He just.... stood out. She flicked one last glance over him, dismissing him quickly. "Gee, Justin," she said, "you really know how to flatter a girl."
"Have a little late night rendezvous with your boy toy?" His tone was playful and even though Ivy knew that he had no idea that Nelson was gone, she winced anyway.
Justin looked at her curiously, wondering what was going on that he'd missed, but she refused to look back up at him. After a few minutes of tense silence, he shrugged and walked over the bench and sat down, pulling a set of headphones over his ears.
Ivy resumed looking over the questions and answers for the interviews that Justin was going to be giving while in New York. Everything looked good and she was pleased with how it was coming together. Smiling a little, she put away the papers and sat back, looking around the waiting area, her gaze eventually settling on Justin.
He was leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes were closed and his mouth moved along with whatever lyrics were pounding through the headphones. He looked so young, yet.... old at the same time. Deep down, Ivy liked the kid. She just never let him know it. She supposed it was because of the fact that it kept him off balance.
Justin had so many admirers and people who would drop everything to cater to him and even though Ivy knew why, she felt he also needed to take some responsibility for himself. Experience some humility once in awhile. Watching Justin's shoulders start moving in time to the beat only he could hear, Ivy smiled. Through everything, she knew that he truly loved what he did. And that was a start.
The plane ride was smooth, but couldn't end quickly enough for Ivy. She'd never gotten used to flying and doubted she ever would. As they walked out of the airport, Ivy took slow deep breaths to calm herself down.
"You alright?" Justin asked.
Ivy looked up at him, her eyes widening a bit. He actually looked concerned. She searched his face, waiting for the usual gleam that came into his eyes when he was messing with her, but they stayed locked on hers, calm and curious. Satisfied, Ivy nodded slightly.
"I'm fine," she said, "just...still not a great flyer."
"It gets better."
"Mmmm...maybe, but I'd still rather stay on the ground."
Justin grinned at her before getting into the waiting car and Ivy shook her head, knowing why so many girls found him irresistible. Justin Timberlake was the cockiest, most egotistical person she'd ever met, but when he turned that toothy, boyish grin on you.... he was just plain adorable. Grinning back at him, Ivy climbed in after him.
They had a couple of hours before the first interview and a photo shoot so they stopped at the hotel, had everything taken to their rooms and grabbed a quick lunch. When they got back in the car to head to the radio station, Ivy went over the questions with Justin again. His whole demeanor had seemed to change. He was serious and all business, offering ideas and actually being agreeable.
He stayed that way all through the interview, never once becoming flustered or embarrassed. He smiled and laughed at just the right moments, but he was undeniably excited when talking about his album. Ivy smiled, watching from the sidelines. If he did this well all the time, her job was going to be made very easy.
~*~
"Forget it, I'm not wearing that."
"But, Justin..."
"I'm not wearing it and that's final."
Ivy sighed as Justin crossed his arms over his chest, looking ever the petulant child. The photographer's assistant was a frazzled young woman who looked like she was ready to break down into tears at any moment. Justin was being a shit and Ivy had just about had it with him.
The outfit that he'd thrown to the side after the assistant had given it to him consisted of bright red leather pants, a white mesh shirt over a black wifebeater and a black vest. It was ugly, but that's what they wanted for the shoot, so that's what Justin would wear.
"Justin," Ivy said, moving closer to him, "it's not like you haven't worn clothes that you haven't liked before."
Justin just sniffed and looked away from her. "So?"
"So, let me remind you of the glitter suits, the white pajamas with your names all over them, the clown outfits, the construction outfits, the...." Ivy ticked off the list, counting them on her fingers as she went. Finally, Justin raised his hands, frustrated.
"Alright, alright," he said, grumbling, "I'll wear the goddamn clothes, just shut up."
He shot her a look that could have killed as he snatched the offending items up into his arms and disappeared into the dressing room. He came back out a few minutes later, the look on his face nearly sending Ivy into a fit of laughter. He snarled at the assistant, sending her rushing off to take care of other things and Ivy chuckled at him. Justin glared at her again and took his place on the stool, refusing to smile.
The photographer worked slowly, getting him to open up as she went. She had worked with numerous celebrities and soon had him laughing and giving them the look. It was the same look that sent hundreds of thousands of girls into screaming fits whenever he put it on.
Ivy watched with interest. It was amazing how many faces he had. There was the cherubic little boy, the smiling, happy man, the serious, brooding look, and the thoughtful, pensive gaze and then there was the look. The look that said that he, a kid of only 21, knew you wanted him and that he knew how to.... Ivy shook her head, wondering to herself. Which one was the real Justin?
~*~
By the time they got back to the hotel, it was getting dark and everyone was more than a little cranky. Justin hadn't said a word in the car and that was just fine with Ivy. She laid her head back on the seat, enjoying the silence. When they pulled up in front of the hotel, Ivy, Justin and the two hulking bodyguards got out and slowly moved through the lobby and to the elevators.
Thankfully, there weren't any fans there as Ivy didn't think she had the patience to deal with them tonight. She could feel the slight thump of a headache starting and all she wanted to do was take a long hot bath and crawl under the covers.
The elevator chimed, signaling that they had reached their floor and Ivy watched her reflection split in two as the doors opened. She stepped out, Justin close behind her. The both turned to the right, starting down the hallway toward their rooms.
"What the hell is that?"
Justin's voice startled Ivy out of her thoughts and she jumped, turning toward him.
"What is what?"
"That." Justin pointed down the hall and Ivy's gaze followed. There was what looked like a baby carrier filled with blankets sitting in front of his door. Ivy frowned, wondering if somebody had been able to get up here, setting up some sort of practical joke or if it was from some crazy, demented fan, wanting Justin's baby. Crazier things had happened.
Ivy was still trying to figure it all out when suddenly, the blanket moved.