Page 47 of Catch Me (Townsend Legacy #4)

A ndreas

“That wasn’t bad, right?” I ask Ivy once we make it through the red carpet. Most of the time, she stood back with my assistants and the other handlers.

We just completed a group cast photoshoot on the carpet and are preparing to head into the main theater for the viewing.

“You were a star,” she says, smiling brightly.

What Ivy doesn’t know is that I have every one of her smiles memorized. She doesn’t know that I’ve spent hours mentally recording every expression and emotion that passes through her coffee browns.

She’s smiling, and yes, love shines in her eyes. Love for me. But there’s a weariness in the depths of her lenses that she probably believes she’s hiding well.

Something’s wrong.

I haven’t been able to spend as much time with her as I would like due to my schedule, but that will change after tonight.

“Andreas, we have about fifteen minutes to wait while the reporters and guests file in. Do you need to use the restroom, or can I bring either of you a drink?” one of the handlers asks.

“I need the restroom,” Ivy says. “Stay, I’ll be right back," she promises.

I watch her walk off, but just before she enters the hallway toward the bathroom she looks over and stops short. I cock my head to the side as she nearly stumbles when restarting her steps toward the bathroom.

“What the hell was that about?” I mutter.

I look over in the direction she just turned away from and my body goes rigid. Ivy’s boss, Rebecca, stands there next to Dennis James.

Without thinking, I start in the direction of the couple, but I’m cut off by Michael Keith.

“Take this.” He pushes a flute halfway filled with champagne in my hand.

“I don’t want a drink.”

He sidesteps when I try to get around him, blocking my path.

“I’m not about to tell you to calm down because we both know that would be a waste of time, but I will remind you how important tonight is and that we’re standing in a room full of some of the most powerful people in this industry. The last thing you want is to make a scene.”

“Suddenly, everyone wants to remind me not to throw away my career,” I gripe while still staring at Dennis James over Michael’s shoulder.

“I’m more concerned about my film,” he counters. “You, me, and everyone who worked on this film worked our asses off. Tonight, the last thing you’re going to do is waste it all over someone who doesn’t deserve it.”

I glare at him. “Ivy’s worth it, mother?—”

“I wasn’t referring to your girlfriend,” he quickly says, then glances over in the direction of Dennis and Rebecca. “ He’s not worth it. Let me handle them. Both of them,” he says, his voice growing dark.

“She should’ve known better than to bring him here,” Michael says.

I watch as he walks off in the direction of one of the security guards. A beat later, two guards walk over to Dennis James and Rebecca.

“What’s going on?” Ivy asks, coming up behind me.

I take her hand in mine as I watch the two guards escort Dennis James and Rebecca toward the back entrance. Dennis looks around, searching for something, when his eyes land on me.

He starts to speak, but the security guard stops him.

“Just watching Michael take out the trash is all,” I tell Ivy with a smirk on my face. Then I look down at her. “Are you okay?”

She looks over to where Dennis James just stood.

“Don’t worry about him,” I tell her.

“You shouldn’t be the one having to worry about him,” Ivy says. “I’m sorry that?—”

“Baby, don’t you dare say it. I have a few guesses as to what he was doing here with your boss.” I bring her hand to my lips, kissing it. “We won’t worry about that now. The important point is that they’re gone. Both of them.”

“Mr. Knight?” one of the handlers calls. “We’re ready for you in the theater.”

A minute later, Ivy and I are shown inside of the theater to our seats.

Throughout the duration of the film, I watch Ivy more than I do the movie. This is her first time seeing it from start to finish. My heart lurches in my throat when she cups her face during the most emotional scene of the film.

I swear I hear a few gasps and ‘oh my’s’ from others in the room, but I gaze at the woman I love. Her opinion means more to me than anything right now.

Once the credits start to roll, noise sounds all around me.

It’s not until Ivy rises to her feet and starts clapping as she peers down at me with a smile that I become surprised.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

She looks around the room, and then back at me. “We’re clapping for you.”

That’s when I take in our surroundings. Ivy isn’t the only one on her feet. Just about everyone else, outside of the cast and crew, applauds.

For the first time I allow myself to take in what it is we’ve accomplished with this film.

This was never just another work project for me, but to be living in the moment where the planning, hard work, and care that was put into this project meets an appreciative audience is inspiring.

The rest of the cast and I stand and bow to the room, thanking them.

At the end of the viewing, I spend some time thanking those who came, with Ivy right by my side.

Minutes later, we’re escorted to the car to head over to the premiere party with the rest of the cast, crew, executives, and fans who also got to be a part of the premiere.

Everyone is there and the mood is exhilarating, with people continuously coming up to me to offer their congratulations on a job well done.

Throughout it all, I don’t lose track of Ivy, often keeping her hand clasped in mine. I haven’t missed the fact that while she heaped praise on me and the rest of the cast over the outcome of the film, she’s gone quiet since we arrived at the party.

Even through the onslaught of people vying for my attention and time, I don’t let her hand go. Michael Keith approaches me with another up-and-coming director in the industry.

“I’ve seen some of your work,” I tell him. “Very impressive.”

“An honor to hear that coming from the man of the hour,” he replies. “From what I saw tonight, you have a very, very long career ahead of you. I hope our paths will cross soon with me behind the camera.”

I nod.

“This is Ivy,” I introduce. “My future,” I say, the words slipping out easily.

Her eyes go large as she looks from me to Michael and the other director.

“She helped with the costume designs on the set of Late Nights.”

She opens her mouth to say something, but Michael is quicker.

“Yes, she worked very well with the rest of our team. There are a couple of occasions where she saved the day,” he says.

Ivy shakes her head. “I didn’t do much, honestly. Most of the designs had been established before I started on the movie.”

Before I can tell her not to downplay her contribution, she pulls her hand free of mine. I notice that her breathing has grown slightly erratic.

“If you will excuse me, I just have to run to the restroom.”

She holds up her hand when I go to follow.

“Stay. Enjoy your talk. I’ll be right back.”

The unease in my gut that started earlier continues to grow as I watch her walk away.