Chapter 266 - You want to stay with him

~Los Angeles~

In Jeff's apartment, JoAnna logged off from video chat and looked at Jeff. "Do you think that those pictures might cause a problem?"

"Don't worry about that." He shook his head.

"Secrets? Already?" JoAnna frowned.

Jeff felt guilty and reminded himself to talk to JoAnna. "If they get published in a tabloid, amount of damage will depend on the type of title they put next to the photos. With right angle, a bit of photo alterations, and an explosive title, it might become a problem."

"I'm sorry..." JoAnna lowered her head.

"Why are you sorry?" He lifted her head with his hands cupping her face. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "It will not be a problem for me. I am concerned because you came to LA to stay low, and if your photos are published that is not really 'stay low', is it? Besides your previous mentor finding out about you being with me, there is also a possibility that paparazzi will try to get more information about you. If your photo is published on-line, we can do damage control. But if it's printed, there is not much we can do. We don't know which magazine that person works for... You will have two bodyguards next to you every time you step out of here, and few more will follow from the distance." Jeff saw JoAnna frown and reassured her. "You will not even know they are there."

JoAnna was touched that he is worried about her, and at the same time she was conflicted. So much commotion is not something she is used to. Earlier, whenever something like this happened with tabloids and paparazzi, Sarah would prevent information from spreading, and Sophia did damage control. This allowed JoAnna to focus on her interest in medicine and was never caught up in the storm. "With all this fuss, maybe I should go somewhere else..."

Jeff looked at her expression and could guess that she didn't want to cause trouble for him. He kissed her all over her face while saying between kisses, "But then you will not be with me... and I will not be able to handle that... and will come after you... and then you will have Steve cursing you, because I will tell him that it's your fault... I will send a companywide memo, saying to all employees, that I'm not available... because JoAnna Hill left with my heart... and I had to follow."

JoAnna's heart melted hearing his words. "Jeff, I..." Her phone rang, it was Sophia. "I need to take this." She squirmed out of his hug, gave him few quick kisses and left the study room. She picked up when she reached the bedroom. "Hi, big sis."

"Are you two officially together?" Sophia went straight to the point.

"Yes."

"And you are at his place?"

"Yes."

Sophia paused for a second before continuing. "Will you come back to Seattle when this thing with Greg is settled?"

JoAnna hesitated. "That... I'm not sure."

JoAnna got a notification, it was a text from Sarah: 'Can we meet tomorrow?'

"Just a sec... Sarah wants to meet tomorrow. I need few seconds to text her a reply." She texted a response and got her attention back to Sophia. "OK. Done. Where was I?"

"You were about to tell me why you are not sure about staying in Los Angeles with Jeff."

"Huh, that... there is a residency and Jeff. Residency is not a problem. Jeff offered that I come and stay with him."

"Is that a problem?"

"I don't know... I want to be with him, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the whole cohabitation thing." JoAnna was honest. She loves Jeff and staying with him feels as a natural progression. But things are going very fast, and the idea that they are already at a point of her moving in with him is something that scares her.

Sophia could feel reluctance in JoAnna to commit. "You are at his place now... are you OK with that?"

"Yes, but it's only for few days. It's not permanent."

Sophia chuckled hearing JoAnna's words. "The only difference between this and permanent is your state of mind... and if you move in with him officially, you will have more stuff that is yours."

"Oh, is that so..." JoAnna got another text, she looked and saw that Sarah will come to visit her at Jeff's apartment tomorrow afternoon. JoAnna realized something. "Hey, this is why you called me, didn't you?"

Sophia laughed, and had to confess. "I noticed your expression when I mentioned that you can come back to Seattle... Anna, you want to stay with him, even if you don't want to admit to yourself... What is the worst that can happen? You realize you don't love him? Things don't work out? If that happens, you can get another place for yourself or come back to Seattle… Don't get me wrong. I don't wish that you two split up. But if that happens, you have options."

"I didn't think about that..." JoAnna was so focused on a thought of moving in with Jeff as something permanent that she forgot that there are always other options. "Thank you."

"No problem... Stay safe, will you?", Sophia warned her.

JoAnna rolled her eyes, remembering that Jeff mentioned bodyguards following her whenever she leaves apartment. "Safe, aye-aye... It seems I'm getting some bodyguards."

"I have no doubts that Jeff will keep you safe." Sophia sighed in relief. "As long as you don't go sneaking out on your own, you will be OK."

Two sisters chatted for some more before hanging up.

After the call, JoAnna reflected on her feelings, thoughts, intentions… and what Sophia said. It all makes sense. She wants to be with Jeff. She can't imagine going back to Seattle, not without him. The only thing that is preventing her from moving in with Jeff officially is her own mind which has the need to overanalyze things. With Jeff there is no space for analyzing, she needs to follow her heart. And her heart is with him... that is where she should be as well, if she does not want to suffer.