Page 57 of #Starstruck

The wedding and reception were being held at Austin’s Malibu estate. I had to pass through several checkpoints before I arrived at his home, a classic Spanish revival with white stucco walls and a red tile roof. We inched our way through the line until it was my turn to get out. My driver (whose name was Jeff with twoFs) opened my door, and I was immediately inside a canvas tunnel that led from the driveway to the front door. It dawned on me that they had constructed it so nobody could see who the guests were. I hadn’t seen any paparazzi, but I knew what long-range lenses could do.

At the end of the tunnel, I had to give my name again and show my ID, and then I was inside, surrounded by so many celebrities it felt like I was playing a game of Movie Star Whack-A-Mole. They kept popping up all over the place. It was like I’d accidentally crashed the high school cool kids’ party, and they all knew one another, but nobody knew who I was or why I was there. I kind of wanted to call my mom and ask her to pick me up.

A waiter in a tuxedo with a white jacket offered me a glass of champagne, and I took it so I would have something to do with my hands. I’d never really liked alcohol, and in high school I’d observed that getting blackout drunk wasn’t very conducive to staying celibate.

Austin’s family room had French doors leading out to a terrace and a backyard the size of a football field. Everything was covered in big white tents. Over piano music and conversation, I heard a metallic buzzing sound. I followed the strange sound outside, where I finally spotted Chase. My heart tripped over itself when I saw him sporting a well-tailored black suit with a bright-yellow tie. He paced back and forth near a silver van, gesturing wildly as he talked on his phone.

I didn’t know whether I should stay put and let him finish his call, but he saw me and stopped speaking. His mouth dropped slightly, and he blinked several times as his gaze raked over me. I couldn’t tell if his reaction was good or bad.

“What? Yeah, I’m still here, Mom.” He waved me over. “Okay. I will see what I can do. I know it’s important to you. I understand. Okay. Bye. Love you. Bye.” He hung up and paused for a moment before he said, “You look amazing.”

Then he enfolded me in a hug, enveloping me in his strength and his tasty scent. I sighed, loving how it felt to be in his arms. His breath danced against my skin. “I’m so glad you’re here.” He kissed me on the cheek, and my blood rushed up to meet his lips.

Well, at least it wasn’t my forehead. He released me, and it took me a second longer than it should have to step back. I didn’t want him to stop holding me.

“Talking to your mom?” I fought the urge to touch the spot where he’d just kissed me. I wondered if I’d be able to feel the warmth from his lips against my fingertips.

“She wants me to come to this charity event she’s hosting. Baby seals or something.”

“But you support ocean conservation.”

He sighed. “I know. And I’m sure it’s a good cause. I’m going to have to rearrange my schedule. I guess it bugs me that she calls only when she wants something. Just like every other person in my life. Except you.”

I had thought he might be open to the idea of coming to the Foundation benefit, but now I was fervently glad I’d never asked him.

“What’s with the tie?” I asked as I ran a finger down the length of it. Silk. “You kind of look like a bumblebee.”

“Have a thing for bumblebees, do you?”

“Buzz, buzz.”

That made him laugh, and he hugged me again.

Only this time he didn’t quite let go of me. Just pulled his head back slightly while still holding me tight. Every cell in my body zoomed around with delight at his proximity, the feel of him. “Zoe, there’s something I wanted—”

“Mr.Covington, you’re needed up front. It’s almost time to begin.” A woman wearing a headset and carrying a tablet interrupted him.

Nodding, Chase let his arms drop, and I experienced that same sense of loss all over again. “I’ll be right there.”

What had he almost said? It sounded important. Stupid wedding minion. Especially since she stood there, waiting, tapping her foot.

“Time to stand up for my friend. Even though he’s marrying a woman who is far too good for him.”

He followed the headset lady, and I went to the groom’s side and sat in the back row. I felt like a fraud sitting there as all these famous people and their equally famous spouses filed into the tent.

There was a beautiful gazebo at the front, decorated with sunflowers. The chairs were soft and draped in white organza, and all the flowers were bright yellow with gray ribbons. Austin Adams came in with his groomsmen, and I thought it was a shame that Chase was so much prettier than the groom.

A string quartet played classical music as I tried to stargaze without being noticed.

Something whirred past my head. At first I suspected a bird, but I’d heard the same sound earlier. A metallic whirring. It was a drone.

And it flew level with another drone. They darted at each other, like some kind of aerial Battle Bots match. I wasn’t sure, but it seemed like the paparazzi were trying to sneak some pictures with their drones, and somebody here had their own drones to block the shots.

Clever.

The music changed, and everyone stood as bridesmaids in yellow gowns that matched Chase’s tie walked down the aisle, followed by Austin’s fiancée, Marisol.

Instead of watching the bride, I watched the groom. The look on his face—the openness, the love evident in his eyes—made me a little weepy. It was like he couldn’t wait to marry her.

---