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“I loved the part where you ran through the forest.” I smile at her as I place my arm across the back of her chair; looking like a devoted fiancé comes naturally to me.
Her laughter lights up the room. “The one where my character panics?”
“Yes.” I pull her closer. “The emotion you displayed was fantastic. I felt your terror.”
“Thanks. Jake was very helpful. He gave me all kinds of pointers for that scene.”
“You and Jake made a handsome couple. The way he looked at you—there was chemistry,” I say, trying to sound casual.
“You mean the way his character looked at my character?” She asks softly. Then, she nods at Jake and his wife across the room. “Have you seen how Jake looks at Rebecca? That man is completely devoted to his wife.”
“You’re right. I guess I have to get used to seeing you with other men on screen,” I concede, following her gaze. Leaning back in my chair, I remind her with a sigh, “I have to head back tomorrow.”
Her fingers tighten slightly on my arm. “I know. But thank you for coming.”
Before I can respond, Rachel appears with two glasses of champagne, handing me one. “Lacey, you need to make the rounds.”
Lacey stands and immediately becomes the center of attention. She’s surrounded by Jake and her fellow actors. Critics, industry executives, and producers all vie for her attention. Everyone is eager to congratulate her on the film’s success. I hang back slightly, watching her as she glows under the praise and admiration. She’s brilliant, and she belongs here.
Still, even as she works the room, she keeps coming back to me, slipping her hand into mine, leaning in to whisper in my ear, stealing quick glances that send heat straight to my gut. I can feel it in the way her fingers tighten around mine, in the way her body instinctively moves toward me. This isn’t just for show. Some of it is real.
“You doing okay?” she asks, her hand brushing against mine as we take a moment away from the main crowd.
I grimace. “I think I prefer screaming fans and stadium lights over all this Hollywood talk. But if it means supporting you, I can handle it.”
Her expression softens, her fingers tracing the lapel of my jacket. “I like having you here, Nate.”
Before I can respond, a photographer snaps a picture, and I know, without a doubt, it’ll be making the rounds on the internet by morning.
After that, we head back into the crowd. Lacey’s laughing, radiant, completely in her element. And watching her, I realize something important.
“Hey,” I say softly, my hand finding the small of her back. “I’m actually enjoying being here tonight. I’m glad I came.”
Her smile softens. “Really?”
“Yes.” I brush a kiss against her temple, for everyone to see. “It turns out I don’t mind the spotlight as much as I thought I did when it is mostly for you.”
She stretches up to hug me, probably for the cameras, but I don’t care. When we break apart, her eyes are shining.
Rachel appears with her phone out.
“The photos are already trending,” she starts, but I hold up a hand.
“Tomorrow, Rachel. Tonight I’m beat.”
She seems to want to argue, but something in my expression—or maybe the way Lacey’s pressed against my side—makes her relent.
“Fine. But first thing tomorrow—“
“We’ll look at everything,” Lacey promises. “Goodnight, Rachel.”
Twelve
Lacey
My feet ache in their designer heels as we escape into the waiting car. The bright camera flashes finally fade behind the tinted windows. I feel the adrenalin from the success of the premier start to fade, leaving weariness in its place. Nate’s bow tie hangs loose around his neck, and his usual stage confidence is softened by exhaustion.
“That was...” I trail off, letting my head fall back against the leather seat.