Page 53 of #Awestruck

A small stage had been set up, along with a podium and microphone. Someone from the Jumping Jacks organization was speaking, and I made my way through the crowd, trying to get close. Tinsley saw me and waved me over, telling the guard to let me pass by.

I didn’t want to interrupt Evan, so I hung back.

And may or may not have admired the view.

The speaker said, “You’ve heard more than enough from me. Let’s get Evan ‘Awesome’ Dawson up here to answer some of your questions. Evan?”

Evan handed the Sharpie pen he’d been using to one of the security guards and then paused when he saw me. I waved, and he held out his hand. Without thinking I walked over and joined our fingers together. My pulse skittered and jumped when our skin touched.

He leaned in and said in my ear, “This is one of those give-them-what-they-want-so-they-leave-us-alone situations.”

I nodded and followed him up to the stage. The cameras and lights were overwhelming. Evan tucked me against him, holding on tight. The whole right side of my body felt like it was on fire, pulsing in time to my quick heartbeat. Like I was going to be the lead story on the six o’clock news because of the impending spontaneous combustion.

“How is everyone?” Evan asked into the microphone. “I hear you have some questions for me.”

The media in front of us erupted, and Evan had to point to specific reporters so they’d speak one at a time.

“How did you and your fiancée meet?”

“We were friends in high school, and we reconnected at a party a few months ago.” The lie fell easily out of his mouth, which was more than a little disconcerting.

“How did you know she was the one?”

Evan turned to look at me and smiled. “It’s hard to explain. At first I didn’t know, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her. And the more time we spent together, the more I realized that there was nobody else on earth I wanted to hang out with more than this woman. That I was falling in love with her. In love with who she was and who she is now. She’s amazing. Smart, funny, beautiful, talented, and caring.”

My heart beat so hard there was a rushing sound in my ears. Lies, right? Total lies? I knew they were lies, but he sounded so honest when he said them. How was I ever supposed to trust anything he ever said to me or about me?

“And she deflates my ego every chance she gets,” Evan added, leading to chuckles and some laughter from the group.

“Let’s see the ring!”

I held up my left hand, close to my face. Was I supposed to say something?

All thoughts of how I should be performing in this moment went out the window with the next question.

“Evan! Are you still waiting for marriage?”

“Of course,” Evan answered immediately, and it shushed the entire press corps, which made him laugh. “You guys weren’t expecting that answer, were you? I made a promise to someone important a long time ago, and I aim to keep that promise.”

“Do you feel like you struggle with your choice at all? Especially now that you’re engaged?”

Evan’s blue eyes burned into mine. “Definitely.”

My knees went hollow at his expression and his low, rough voice, and I was very glad he was holding on to me so that I didn’t collapse.

“How about a kiss for the camera?” A few other reporters cheered the request.

My mouth went completely dry, my heart pounding in my throat.

Evan turned so we faced each other. He leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Is it okay if I kiss you?”

Yes, yes, a thousand times YES!“You probably should. We have to sell it, right?” Did I sound nonchalant? I desperately wanted to sound nonchalant.

He put both of his hands around my waist, pulling me in close, holding me in place as if he was afraid I’d run off. “You won’t think less of me?”

“That would be impossible.”

He laughed, and I could still feel the laugh on his lips as they pressed against mine. Stars exploded behind my eyelids at his first sweet, tentative touch. This was not how my thirteen-year-old self had pictured my first kiss with Evan. That had involved riding on a unicorn under a rainbow while being serenaded by a boy band.

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