Page 104 of In Love with Lewis Prescott
“Good. I want everyone to see how crazy I am about you. Because none of this would be happening if you hadn’t believed in me. Thank you.”
Her expression turns tender, and she pulls me in for a kiss that’s much more proper than the long and filthy one I planted on her just seconds ago.
“I am so, so proud of you, Lewis.” The conviction in her tone has me vibrating with emotion. I swallow, steadying myself.
A publicist calls my name and gestures for me to go ahead in the press line. Harper moves to stay back, but I pull her with me.
“This is your moment,” she says. “I want you to enjoy it.”
“The only way I can enjoy it is with you. Always with you.”
She flashes the most beautiful smile. Hand in hand, we step forward to the press line. As I answer question after question, I still can’t believe this is my life right now. I’ve got my dream job and my dream woman. How did I get so lucky?
As we scale the steps to the theater’s entrance, I feel Harper slow her pace.
“Take it all in,” she says to me.
I gaze down at her, my heart swelling in my chest. “I am.”
Harper
“You sure you only want one sheet pan of bacon mac and cheese, honey?” Mom asks. “I’m happy to make more so you and Lewis can have leftovers.”
I give Mom’s arm a gentle squeeze as I pass by her in the kitchen of the Half Moon Bay house. “Positive. We still have leftovers in the freezer in the garage from family dinner last week. We’re good.”
I open the door of the refrigerator and pull out the pitcher of sangria that I made. “Who wants sangria?” I call out to the crowd of friends and relatives gathered in the house. Half of them holler “yes.”
While I pour, Mom hands the glasses out to everyone. Lewis hurries over to my side and plants a kiss on my cheek.
“I think we’re gonna need more sangria,” he says before opening up the liquor cabinet and fridge for the ingredients to make more.
“None for me, thanks,” Dad says while fiddling with the remote to the flat screen. “I’ll stick with beer.”
“You sure, Dad?” Lewis says as he preps another pitcher beside me.
I don’t miss the twinkle in my dad’s eyes as he looks over at Lewis and tells him that he’s good. It melts him every single time Lewis calls him Dad. He started doing it after we got engaged, and I turn to mush too whenever I witness it.
Lewis passes Dad and gives him a pat on the back on the way to drop off a sangria to Uncle Pedro, who’s sitting on the couch.
Lewis starts to turn away, but Uncle Pedro stops him. “Hey.” He nods to the lamp Lewis made for me usingApongVivian’s crystal collection. “Now that’s a pretty darn good lamp.”
Lewis chuckles. “Thanks, Uncle Pedro.”
I smile at how he says that to Lewis every time he comes over. It’s a silly and cute exchange, and it makes my heart flutter every time. Everyone in my family loves Lewis to bits. You’d think he’s always been part of the family based on how my parents, cousins, aunts, and uncles include him in every conversation and event, how they shower him in kisses and hugs every time they see him.
I catch Lewis smiling to himself as he walks back over to me. This is something he’s always wanted, to be part of a loving and adoring family. And he finally has it—I was able to give that to him.
He pours us a glass of sangria to share, but before we can sip, Mom holds up a hand. “We should do a toast to our big star!”
She gestures at him with her glass, which prompts Lewis to blush like crazy. “It’s okay, Mom,” he says. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Nonsense! It is absolutely a big deal. My amazing son-in-law is the reason we’re all here tonight, to watch your movie! We’re all so proud of you, honey.”
Everyone in the room raises their glasses and cheers to Lewis. Even though his movie is still in theaters, he was able to get an early release copy of it. All of our family and friends have been dying to see it, so we decided to host a family premiere at our house the day after the actual premiere.
“And the reason why we have Lewis in our family is because of Harper,” Mom says, her misty gaze now fixed on me. “Now, Lewis, I know this is your big night, but I want to take a moment to shine the light on our amazing Harper. It’s because of her that we’re able to gather in this beautiful house. And she’s putting her architecture skills to good use in her new job. She’s spearheading an affordable housing development with the charity she works for. Isn’t that wonderful, everyone?”
Now it’s my turn to blush as everyone claps. Being able to work for Glad You’re Here as an architect has been a dream come true. I’ve finally figured out a way to use my professional skills to help others.
