Page 46 of Catch Me (Townsend Legacy #4)

I vy

Stupid bitch! You’re ruining his career!

I hate you!!!

What could he possibly see in you?

“Ivy, baby.” I jump so hard that I nearly drop my phone onto the bathroom counter. “Do you need my help zipping you up?” Andreas asks through the door.

It’s been a month since I lost my full-time job with InTuition Studios . A month of taunts and harassment on my social media pages from random people still angry over the fact that I’m dating Andreas Knight.

Others say that I’m ruining his career since he’s never had any public scandals before he met me. While there are a lot more positive comments on my pages, especially when I showcase different looks I’ve put together, the negative ones always stick with me the most.

They echo too closely with what my parents have told me in the past or what I think they would say if I spoke to them.

While I know I should, I haven’t told Andreas yet about Rebecca firing me. He’s been busy promoting Late Nights and I’ve been lucky enough to make up work through freelancing thanks to Lillian who vouched for me with a couple of other studios and design teams.

As for Andreas, once the truth came out about Dennis James and the harassment he’s doled out publicly and privately, Andreas was seen as a hero rather than the villain in the scenario.

Which has also increased interest in the film.

For a small, but very loud minority, however, I’m still seen as the woman who will be responsible for Andreas’ downfall.

But tonight, I’m doing my best not to think about that.

Tonight is Andreas’ night. His and the rest of the crew from Late Nights.

I step back and take a look at myself in the mirror. I’m dressed in a long, flowy, ivory dress, my makeup is perfect thanks to the professional artist that Andreas hired for the premiere of his film Late Nights.

“Baby?” Andreas calls again through the door.

“Sorry,” I say as I pull the door open. “I couldn’t stop staring at myself in the mirror. I look so damn good.”

Placing my hand on my hip, I give Andreas an ‘I look good don’t I’ face.

“I won’t argue with you there, beautiful,” he replies with a sparkle in his eyes.

That look almost makes me forget about my problems. However, my phone buzzes, surprising me.

“Everything okay?” he asks, staring at me.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” I glance down at my phone and a pang of dread hits the pit of my stomach. I manage to push it down. “It’s just a social media notification. Let me turn it off.”

“Your new page is doing well,” he comments.

I started a new Instagram page to showcase some costumes I’ve designed. The real goal is to use it as a portfolio of sorts now that I’m freelancing, but I haven’t explained that to Andreas.

I’ve blocked and put filters on certain words, so now I’m the only one who sees the ugly comments.

“It is,” I say, glancing at my phone.

Andreas surprises me by pulling me into his body with one arm.

“Babe,” I laugh. “You’re going to get my makeup on your tux.” I pull my face away from his body so that my makeup doesn’t smear on the dark purple coat of his tailored tuxedo.

“Don’t think I don’t know you’re hiding something from me,” he says in my ear. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy with promotions and work that I haven’t given you the time you deserve.”

“Andreas—”

“Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together,” he finishes before pressing a kiss to my temple.

He steps back and holds out his arm for me. “Our car is waiting for us.”

I blink a couple of times, before curling my arm around his, leaning into his strength.

A sigh passes my lips, and I try to let go of the anxiousness rummaging its way throughout my body. During the hour-long ride to the theater for the premiere I force myself to only think about Andreas.

Tonight is only about him and the work he’s put in.

I make small talk throughout the ride and ask Andreas about what he’s heard from critics and reviewers. He’s excited to divulge the positive feedback he’s gotten.

“It’s probably too early to even bring this up, but I’ve heard the words Academy Award tossed around more times than I can count.”

“I knew it,” I gush, relieved to be able to at least emotionally support him. “I didn’t want to say it because Lillian told me it’s bad luck to talk Academies and whatnot even before a movie premieres, but I’ve been thinking it all along.

“Your performance in Late Nights was phenomenal, baby. And after tonight everyone is going to know it.”

He leans over and kisses my lips.

“You’re going to stain your lips.” I laugh and pull away from him before wiping his lips. Thankfully, my lipstick is smudge proof, but I wipe his mouth anyway.

The cheers start the moment our limo turns onto the same street as the theater. Fans are gathered on either side, cheering and clapping, holding signs and waiting to catch a glimpse of the stars of tonight’s film.

I take Andreas’ hand. “Are you sure you want me to walk the red carpet with you?”

He pauses, his face suddenly filling with concern. “Are you not feeling well?”

“I am. I just wondered if you wanted to do this on your own. It’s not like anyone has come to see me or anything. I can go in the back entrance.”

I’d been completely ready to take the secret entrance into the theater at the premiere. The last thing I wanted, honestly, was to be in the spotlight in any way. But when Andreas asked me, he’d looked so damn excited.

“I want you on my arm,” he’d told me with a look in his eyes that was full of love and adoration.

I couldn’t say no to that request.

“You belong with me,” he implores, and then squeezes my hand. “But if this crowd or attention makes you too uneasy, just say the word and I’ll have Richard take you to the back. Hell, I’ll go through the back with you.”

Laughing, I cup his face. “You’re literally contractually obligated to walk this red carpet,” I remind him.

“They can sue me if they want.”

“Babe, that would end your career. Especially since it’s over nothing important.”

“ You are important. You have to know you’re my priority.”

My heart squeezes. How could this man be any more perfect?

“I love you for that, but no.” I shake my head. “I will not be the reason you break your contract, get sued by the studio, and lose your career. You’re walking that red carpet.”

“With you by my side?”

“Yes, if that’s what you want,” I assure him.

The driver opens the door and the screams from outside become magnified. Yet, I don’t miss when Andreas leans in and tells me, “I love you.”