Back to December (Ward Sisters Book 1) (32 page)

She had been doing this long enough for him that apparently, she knew the right speed to twirl because he didn't even have to tell her to slow down this time. As she spun around, she could hear Rob gasp. When she faced him again, she said, “You like?”

He nodded. “Oh, I like. I like so much that I don't think you should walk the carpet with me. Everyone will look at you and want you and I don't want to share.”

“I'll take that as a compliment, then. And I'll assume you're not serious about me skipping the walk down the carpet.”

“Sort of. I guess I said I wanted everyone to know that this smokin' hot woman was mine. You can't have it both ways, right? They can't know you're mine if they don't look at you. You've outdone yourself, Christopher. Don't tell Amy, but she's never looked this good.”

“I won't tell her if you don't.” He winked. “You were born to walk a carpet, Emily. You're Gorgeous with a capital G. Now, let's get you two on the road.” Christopher turned to Rob, then. “No messing up her makeup until after the show, Rob. Don't think I didn't see that look on your face earlier that said you wanted to take her to bed. I know lust when I see it. Keep your hands and lips to yourself until later. I'll be mad if she doesn't make a best-dressed list because you couldn't control your libido.”

They both blushed. “Oh, please,” Christopher said, waving his hand, “As if the whole world can't see that you two want to be naked together all the time. Just wait to stick your tongue down her throat until after the show, at least. Reggie will be waiting for you backstage before you go on. I'll see you at Sundance, Emily. Rob, I'll see you before the studio party next week.” He gave them both air kisses, said, “Tah!” and shouted “Tear down!” as he walked out the door. In five minutes, the minions righted the room and were gone.

Rob grabbed Emily's hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “You are...” he took a breath, “you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. I didn't think you could be more stunning than you were at the gala, but you are. How did I get so lucky?”

“Oh, stop. I'm not that special. This is mostly Christopher, Reggie and Mick's handiwork.”

“No. No, it's you. That's all artificial stuff. You're glowing. You are so radiant right now. I still can't believe you're mine.”

“Well, believe it. Because in just a short time, my clammy hand is going to be holding yours as I have a panic attack on live TV.”

“You'll be fine. Just block it out like you did at the gala carpet. It's not all that different. They mostly want to talk to me and they want to talk about the movie. I have to warn you, Rachel will be sitting at our table. Her husband was a producer on the film. He was mostly a financial backer, but he gets credit so he gets to be there and I heard the other day that they're going. You okay with that?”

“I am. I'm not intimidated by her. Besides, you're mine now. And like Christopher said, I think anyone who looks at us together can tell how hot we are for each other. You look pretty smokin' yourself, by the way. I think I might have a hard time keeping my hands and lips to myself, too.”

“Stop talking like that or I won't be able to think of England and I'll be the one embarrassed on live TV.”

Emily laughed. “You always make me laugh. Tell me jokes while we're out there and I might just be okay.”

“I'll do my best.” He took her hand and they went out to the limo, toward the insanity of the awards show and her first official red carpet.

The walk down the red carpet was both easier and harder than Em thought it would be. It wasn't dark outside yet, so it was less distracting than it had been the night of the gala because the lights weren't as noticeable.

But there were so many more people, both reporters and spectators. She had no idea how Rob knew who he was supposed to acknowledge and who he could ignore. Em just walked along, smiling because Rob made jokes for her and then gave her the megawatt grin when she relaxed a little. Each time he sensed she was getting anxious, he distracted her. A few reporters asked her questions and she ignored the rude or intrusive ones.

By the time they got all the way through the insanity, she was ready to sit down for a while. Standing around for a long time in stilettos would be an adjustment. Rob spotted Rachel and brought Emily over to meet her so that she would know someone else at their table who wasn't required to do interviews. Though, he said, Rachel often did them anyway just to get more face time.

As they walked up to Rachel, Emily trailed behind Rob, holding his hand. She could only assume that Rachel didn't notice her at first, because the woman looked very excited to see Rob. “Deac!” she purred as she reached for him and tried to kiss him. He turned so she got his cheek instead and when he pulled away before she could hug him, she noticed that his hand wasn't free. Her expression changed instantly.

“Well. Who's this? The latest ingenue from your last movie?”

“Rachel Eames-Wilson, this is Emily Ward. My girlfriend. And, no, she isn't an actress. We met in Minneapolis over the holidays. She's a writer.”

“Oh? Script writer? Didn't know you were slumming it these days, Deac.” It was said with a smile, a wink and an undercurrent of malice.

Emily spoke up. “No, actually, I write for a magazine.”

“Oh? Which tabloid?” She looked at Rob. “I didn't know you bothered with them, Deac.”

Rob began to answer and Em interjected, “Actually, it's an arts publication. Rob and I met just before the gala and exhibit opening my magazine sponsored at the Walker Art Museum. Are you familiar with Fluxus?” Emily asked, but before Rachel could answer, she said, “Oh, no. Of course you're not. Why would you be interested in anything that subverts your expectations? That was a silly question. Forgive me.”

Rachel appeared to struggle to maintain her composure and to avoid flaring her nostrils. “Of course. I'm not really interested in art. It's so bourgeois now.”

Emily laughed. “I guess it's a good thing Rob is with me and not you, then, since we both like art so much and you don't.”

“To each her own, right? I'm too busy with my career to worry about that sort of thing, I guess. But you're not, are you, Deac?”

“Actually, Rachel, I've been working almost non-stop for the past three years. It felt like it was time to take a break and spend the holidays with my family.”

“Oh? Your sister too busy to come tonight? Is that why you had to scrounge a date from that art thing?”

Emily waved her off. “Oh, you misunderstood. We didn't meet at the Walker. We were already dating before that. We just attended the events as a family. Actually, Rob and I were together before I went home with him for Christmas. Amy and Anja were both happy to stay home tonight and watch the show on TV. And I can't
imagine
not being here to support Rob. That's what you do when you love someone.”

She looked at him with the smile that said she loved him. He returned her smile with his own, the grin that had made Emily fall in love with him. For a moment, she forgot where they were. She leaned toward him and kissed him gently. Rob sighed happily. He squeezed her hand. Em hadn't said I love you, but she had said she loved him to someone outside their immediate circle. It was progress.

They were lost in each other's eyes for a moment, when Rachel's voice rudely intruded.

“Yes, well, isn't that lovely? Did you want something, Deac? Or were you just introducing me to your...girlfriend?”

“I was hoping you could keep Emily company while I'm doing interviews. You know, since we're sitting at the same table and you're such a veteran of this type of thing.”

Rachel winced a little at the word
veteran,
but she plastered a smile on her face anyway. “Yes. Of course. Emily, why don't you come with me and I'll show you where everything is. We'll see you inside, Deac.”

Rob leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I love you.”

Emily smiled. “Ditto,” she whispered in return. It got the smile she hoped it would. He squeezed her hand, kissed her gently and walked toward a group of reporters.

Em turned to Rachel. “After you.”

“Age before beauty,” Rachel quipped.

Emily laughed. “Well, then you're definitely first.”

Rachel acquiesced and Emily followed her. “I would have thought you were older than me,” she said.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“You just look so much more
mature
than his last girlfriend.” Lola, who was actually only a few years younger than Em. “How old did you say you were?”

Emily laughed again. “Old enough to know better than to answer that question. I have an MFA in Art History. If you can figure out how old I
should
be, you'll be in the ballpark.”

Rachel gestured to where Emily could see restroom doors. “Those are the closest restrooms to where we're sitting.” She saw someone she knew and cooed, “Harvey! So good to see you!” The man came over to them and kissed Rachel's cheek. They spoke for a couple of minutes as Emily stood by patiently.

“So, Rachel, who is your friend?” the man asked, looking at Emily appreciatively.

“Oh, this is Deac's latest girlfriend. Emma, was it?” Rachel asked, looking at Emily.

Emily smiled and looked at the stranger, sticking out her hand. “Emily Ward.”

“Harvey Rosen. Nice to meet you, Emily. What was your last picture?”

“Oh, I'm not an actress. I'm a writer for
Art Wurks
.”

“Really? You should be. You're gorgeous.”

Emily laughed. “Ask Rob, I'd make a horrible actress. I'm completely incapable of faking my emotions. WYSIWYG.”

“What's wizzy wig?” Rachel asked, confused.

Harvey laughed. “
What you see is what you get
. I like you, Emily. You're funny. Beauty and brains. Rob is a lucky man. And a man can't complain about a woman who can't fake it.”

Emily laughed again. “I'll take that as a compliment. I'm sure he'd agree with you. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Rosen.”

“Please, call me Harvey. I'm sure I'll see you inside. We're sitting at the table next to you. We helped produce
Shattered Glass
. Are you and Rob attending the party after?”

“I'm not sure. He said we had parties to attend, but the details don't mean much to me.”

“Well, if he's not planning to come, I'll be disappointed. I'd love to talk with you more. If you'll excuse me, I need to speak with someone from ET. Rachel.” He nodded to Rachel, smiled at Emily and walked away.

Rachel was obviously perturbed at Emily for highjacking her conversation. “Let's continue, shall we?” she said, clearly annoyed, with slightly flared nostrils and pursed lips. It wasn't her best look. “If you need to go backstage – though, I can't fathom why you would – that's the entrance.”

Reggie appeared at the stage entrance, and when she saw Emily, she called to her. “Emily! You made it!” She had changed into a little black dress and cute flats.

Emily laughed. “I did. No fainting or even sweaty palms.”

“Oh, good. Your makeup still looks flawless. I guess that means he kept his hands to himself after I left?”

“Probably only because Christopher threatened to kick his butt if I didn't end up on a best-dressed list because he couldn't keep his hands off me.”

Reggie laughed. “He didn't come in before you were dressed, did he?” Emily smiled wider. “Ha! Did Christopher yell at him?”