Page 94 of Solid Ground

“I know I am.” He pulls her into his arms and nuzzles her neck.

“Zoe’s the lucky one. We’ve all seen that sex tape.” Pania shrugs.

“Pania,” Delaney snaps.

“Sorry.” She bites her bottom lip.

I shrug. “I’m not. I’ve seen it too.”

We all laugh, and that tight feeling in my chest eases a little. I’m safe, I’m with friends, and I’m with the love of my life.

Delaney lets go of my hand as Josh approaches, smiling when he wraps an arm around her waist.

Declan captures my hand and raises it to his lips. And then I’m lost in his eyes, his confidence washing over me.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he murmurs.

“Declan …”

“I’m so in love with you, Zoe. I know you feel like a fish out of water right now, but your place is by my side. You know that, right?”

I shrug. “You’re here with all these glamorous women and I?—”

“You are the only one I see. Besides, this is the last time I’ll do one of these award shows.”

I blink rapidly. He might not be acting anymore, but I never thought for a moment that he was finished with the whole lifestyle. “What?”

“It might have been me twenty years ago, but I’d much rather be at home cuddled up with you and our girl. If you want to dress up and come out to these things, then I’ll be with you, but this just isn’t me anymore.”

Huffing out a breath, I stand there like a fish, my mouth gaping open.

“Declan, I can’t ask you to give this up,” I whisper.

“I’m not giving up anything I don’t want to. I’ll give younights out, but we never have to do this red carpet bullshit again.”

“Oh thank God.”

He chuckles as I fall into his arms and he kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Zoe. You’re all I need.”

Linking our fingers together, he leads me to our seats. We’re sitting not far from Josh and Delaney with Jessie and her husband Shane on the other side.

When the ceremony starts, I barely know where to look. I’ve never seen so many Hollywood stars, and it’s a very different experience to watching the Oscars on TV. I laugh, and I cry, and when Declan has to go backstage to get ready to present, I smile at the seat filler who takes his place.

Those nervous butterflies start up again.

And then his name’s announced and when he appears, my heart swells with pride. I’ve watched these shows for years, but never thought I’d be in the crowd.

And right up there on that stage is the man I love—the father of my child.

He smiles. “Adapting a screenplay from an existing story is a labour of love. Frequently, filmmakers become infatuated with a story, and when that happens, it’s magic.”

“The nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay are …”

I turn my head to watch Jessie. She takes a big breath, and Shane reaches for her hand and gives her a loving smile. Crossing my fingers, I shift my gaze back to Declan.

When he opens the envelope, his grin is a mile wide, and my stomach flips in anticipation. “And the Oscar goes to Jessie Lane and Adam Walton forInterrupted Life.”

Everyone around me erupts into applause. Then we’re allon our feet as Jessie hugs Shane tight before making her way to the stage where Declan kisses her cheek and gives her the award.

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