The crowd thickened fast.
Half of them didn't even know who I was—just saw phones flashing and assumed I was somebody worth filming.
One woman actually elbowed a man out of the way so she could snap a photo over my shoulder.
Someone brushed against my coat.
Another girl asked me to sign her canvas tote bag with a borrowed Sharpie.
I hadn't even noticed Ashton had disappeared.
When I finally glanced around, he was standing alone by a metal bench in the middle of the pedestrian zone, arms folded, watching the crowd like he was ready to punch someone.
I caught his eye.
He straightened instantly, dropped the scowl, and put on his most neutral expression.
It was the fakest look I'd ever seen on him.
I raised one eyebrow.
He gave me a shallow nod, like he wasn'
