Page 30

CHAPTER

THIRTY

JADEN

A nna’s long blond hair cascades over the satin pillowcase. She lies naked on her side, her perfect body covered by a sheet. Her left hand is splayed atop the pillow, showcasing her ring, and I’m instantly hard—again. I don’t know what I did in another life to deserve this one.

At our bye week in Texas a year ago, I was sleeping with a stripper of whom I can no longer remember the name of and watching Anna on the big screen. I was content with being a single man-whore for the rest of my life. I didn’t see a life where I’d want to settle down with one woman forever. I lusted after Anna, like anyone lusts after a movie star they don’t know, but I never thought marriage—even with Anna—would ever be an option.

I didn’t see a point in marriage for me. Because I’d never loved someone the way in which I love her.

It’s hard to fantasize about spending the rest of your life with someone until you find the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. Then you just know.

We’ve had a fantastic week in Hawaii. Anna gets along with the guys and their families as if she’s always been a part of it.

We’ve spent our days exploring the island—snorkeling, hiking through the tropical forests to find waterfalls, surfing, swimming in the ocean, and lying on the beach. We’ve participated in numerous competitions with the guys because everyone here loves to compete. We’ve eaten the best food and stayed up late laughing until our sides ached. And, like tonight, we’ve made love until we passed out from exhaustion.

It’s, hands down, the best bye week I’ve ever had.

“Anna.” I shake her arm gently to wake her.

She stretches and blinks her eyes in confusion. “What’s up?”

“Put something on. We’re having a watch party downstairs.”

She sits up, scooting up against the headboard. Cocking her head to the side, she asks, “What do you mean?”

“It’s the day. Everyone is downstairs and ready to watch the announcements with you.”

She fists the sheets in her hands and holds them to her chin. Shaking her head back and forth, she whines, “No. No, Jaden. I don’t want to do this.”

“Come on,” I urge. “It will be fun. Whether you’re nominated or not, we’re proud of you.”

Laughter and cheers can be heard from downstairs, and she eyes the door. “It’s their vacation. They did not all get up at five thirty in the morning to watch Oscar announcement coverage. That’s not cool. They should be sleeping in.”

I chuckle. “Coverage starts at five thirty California time. It’s three thirty in the morning here, so to be fair, most of them haven’t gone to bed yet. Come on,” I urge gently. “Everyone’s really excited.”

“Jaden. This is a lot of pressure.”

I climb into bed with her and pull her against me. Hugging her, I rub her back. “Babe. We love you and support you whether you get nominated or not. But you know there have been rumors, and if they’re correct, we want to celebrate your nomination. It’s a big deal.”

“Those rumors aren’t reliable.”

“Worst case. You’re not nominated and we yell slurs at the TV at those who are.”

She laughs. “No, most of them probably deserve the nomination.”

“Okay, fine. Then you tell us which ones to hate.”

“Deal. Okay, let me put some clothes on.” She sighs.

A few minutes later, we’ve made it downstairs. Everyone hoots and hollers for Anna, and her cheeks flush.

“You all better keep this same energy whether I’m nominated or not,” she shouts across the big open space and is met with more cheers.

“You haven’t missed anything. They’ve only announced ones that no one cares about, like lighting and costumes and shit,” Logan informs us.

“No nominations for any of those?” Anna asks.

“No, despite the on-the-nose seventies attire, your movie failed to acquire a costume nomination,” Miles says.

Anna shrugs. “That’s fine. Our costume department was kind of rude.”

“They really were.” Miranda chuckles. “The head of costume looked like she hit her prime in the seventies and should be retired. She kept yelling at the cast for getting lint all over the costumes.”

Anna continues the story. “When the whole time the lint was coming from this fuzzy sweater she insisted on wearing on set every day.”

“Because she was cold and hated Michigan, but it’s like, come on, spring for a different sweater, lady.” Miranda shakes her head.

“Was her name Anita something?” Iris asks.

“It sure was,” Miranda replies.

Iris grins. “Yeah, she RSVPed to the premiere with a very adamant no. Said she wanted nothing to do with it if it was in Michigan.”

Miranda scrunches her nose. “Good. She was not missed.”

The nominations continue, and everyone follows Anna’s lead on whether we’re to cheer or boo the nominees. It’s hilarious, really. We don’t know shit about the happenings on the TV, well, save for Miles. The rest of us couldn’t tell you if someone was talented or not. But we have loyalty to spare. Once you’re in with us, we’re ride or die and in your corner, rooting for you always.

I’m not sure why the academy announces Oscar nominations so early in the morning, but it makes for hilarious commentary from this crew, who are mostly drunk and exhausted after a long day in the Hawaiian sun.

We finally reach the Actress in a Leading Role category, and the room goes silent as the man and woman read this year’s nominations.

To say we go insane when Annalise Sterling is announced is an understatement. Everyone in this room jumps and cheers and circles Anna in a rowdy group hug.

My girl is nominated for an Oscar, something she has dreamed about her whole life. I’m not remotely surprised. She deserves it.

She deserves the world.