Page 64 of False Start
I hadn’t eventhoughtof that.
I felt stupid for that fact, but before I could think too much on it, Kyle unlinked our arms so he could grab my hand, instead.
The moment he wrapped my hand in his, he gave it a squeeze, his eyes holding mine.
I’ve got you, that look said.
I swallowed down the knot in my throat as we hustled through the inner working of the hotel, following a path that clearly Giana and Clay were familiar with. We finally moved through a large kitchen that I assumed was for room service, and as soon as we pushed through the door that led outside, we were ushered into a waiting black car.
Kyle released my hand, and his palm slid to my lower back, instead. He shielded me with his entire body, and I felt the heat from him like an electric current in my bloodstream until the very moment he helped me into the car and slid in behind me.
There was no one at the back — at least, no one close enough that I could tell. I had braced myself for photographs, for flashes and people screaming at us. Instead, it had been completely silent, and once we piled in the car, the only sound was the labored breathing from all four of us.
“I don’t think anyone got anything,” Clay said, peeking out the tinted windows as the driver took off. He immediately turned to Giana, folding her hands in his and searching her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She grinned at him before kissing his knuckles. “Oh stop, I’m fine, you barbarian.”
She dropped their hands to rest on her stomach, pressing Clay’s palms flat against the small bump there, and he sighed with relief.
They pressed their foreheads together, closing their eyes, and I tore my gaze away.
Which left me looking up at Kyle.
His lips were pinched shut, his brow furrowed, eyes assessing me. “I’m so sorry, Madelyn. We… I didn’t think…”
I squeezed his hand. “I’m okay.”
He nodded, his jaw tight.
Then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he pulled me under his arm and kissed my temple, his next exhale warming my skin.
I tried not to overanalyze the media aspect too much as we drove across town, Giana and Clay finally letting go of each other and striking up conversation. But I couldn’t help but spiral.
If someone got a picture of us together…
I shivered even at the thought. What would happen? What would my parents say? Would I lose all my privacy? Would they try to bother Sebastian?
The thought made my stomach tighten, but not as much as the next one that crossed my mind.
What would Marshall do?
I swallowed, hating that I was afraid of him. I could handle myself, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t still scared.
The rehearsal dinner was at a beautiful restaurant in the middle of the city. There didn’t seem to be any paparazzi when we arrived, but Giana still asked the driver to take us around to the back. I could tell she was in public relations from the way she calmly handled everything, like she’d anticipated every possible scenario and was now enacting her second or third backup plan with ease.
We were greeted by the staff, who led us to the rooftop location of the event.
I promptly lost the ability to breathe when we entered.
It was an open terrace, half of it under a sheltered roof, and the rest open air. Edison lights were strung from one corner to the other, and candles flickered on every cocktail table in sight. Cream linens and soft piano music coming from a musician in the corner helped set the ambiance, but not as much as the backdrop.
The sun setting behind the Rocky Mountains, Denver illuminating slowly with lights flickering on more and more as the sky grew darker.
I didn’t realize I’d walked straight out to the railing until my fingers curled around the banister, and I gaped at the brazen gold of the setting sun against the cool blue of dusk rushing in on its heels.
It was beautiful.
And for some reason, it made my eyes water.
