Page 101

Mara wiped fruitlessly at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I have a toast for you too.” She sniffled, trying to regain composure.
We all quieted, waiting for her to speak.
Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath. “When I ran away from home at sixteen years old, I thought I was leaving my family behind... I just didn’t know that I hadn’t found my true family yet.” Mara sniffed again, her face full of pain, and I put my hand on her lap to soothe her. She covered my hand with her free one and smiled. “I’m so thankful for every one of you in this limo, and I’m so damn lucky to call you my family.”
Everyone cheered and drank, but I kissed Mara’s cheek. “We’re damn lucky to have you, babe.”
She smiled, then placed a kiss on my lips full of love and passion and a promise of what was to come tonight.
Soon the driver lowered the window between the front and back seats and said, “We're almost there. Are you ready?”
We all looked to Mara to respond. She took a deep breath and answered, “I am.”
Out the windows, we could see the busy LA streets and extremely crowded sidewalks. It soon became obvious where all the commotion was coming from. There was a red carpet lined with photographers and fans.
The limo slowed until we were right in front of it. “Mara’s up first,” the driver said. “The rest of you give her a good fifteen feet and then follow.”
“Sounds great,” she replied. She took my hand and scooted closer to the door.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t want to take up all your pictures.”
She placed her hand gently on my cheek. “I want to celebrate with the person I love most at my side.”
My chest swelled, and I kissed her deeply. “We’ll all be watching you shine.”
The limo stopped, and soon the driver was opening the door and Mara and I were stepping out into a completely different world than any I was used to.
Cameras flashed all around us. People yelling, “Is that Mara?” And then another one saying, “That's the author of the book!”
They shouted questions at her and shoved microphones in her face with such force I didn’t know how she stayed standing. She responded with grace and ease like she was always meant to be here.
“Mara,” one of the paparazzi called. “Are you excited to see your book in this movie?”
She smiled, easily replying, “It's been a lifelong dream,” and continued walking with me.
We didn’t make it two feet before someone else asked, “Things still going well with your beau?”
She replied, “He’s more than that.” She smiled at me, her eyes holding so much love and light. “He’s the love of my life.”
I couldn't help the dopey grin I wore after that. And I could only imagine the number of photos and tabloids that would have my goofy face next to Mara’s beautiful one, front and center.
Charlotte and Jenny stood at the end of the red carpet, and Charlotte took Mara’s hand, leading both of us to a big canvas with the title of the movie printed on it in repeating patterns with the studio logo.
“Stand here for some photos,” Charlotte said. We were posed over and over again. The both of us, then Mara and Jenny, then Mara and Charlotte, then Mara with the director and members of the cast.
It was amazing watching her shine, seeing her interact so easily with all these successful and influential people. She was in her element and having the time of her life, and I was just lucky to be along for the ride.
I glanced around, wondering where our friends and family had gone. We hadn't really discussed our game plan or meeting place, so I got out my phone and saw a text from Birdie.
Birdie: We're waiting inside.
Jonas: Perfect. We’ll come in when Mara’s done with pictures.
A few minutes later, my eyes were stinging from all the camera flashes, but Mara took my arm.
“How was that?” I asked.
She shook her head, still grinning. “My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.”