Page 116 of Heartstruck at Dawn
I took a deep breath and laughed. There was no use in explaining myself to him. He knew I didn’t ditch Nathan, of course. It’s not like Tobias didn’t inform him about what happened.
“You’re in much better hands now,” he said, placing the Altoids back in his pocket.
“Well, that depends,” I replied. “Do you think you can help me bypass the red carpet and go straight to the theater? I’m sure you know your way through these things.”
“I do know all the shortcuts,” he said, looking out the window.
“I’m not kidding. I’m nervous.” The sweet and spicy taste of cinnamon invaded my tongue. Itwaskind of soothing. But it also reminded me of other things I didn’t want to remember.
“You’ll be fine as long as you’re with me.”
Shit. I honestly wished Nathan was with me instead.
The car stopped, and hundreds of people were on the other side of the street standing behind metal security railings. Caleb and Aaron jumped from the SUV and stood outside the door on William’s side of the car. I was shaking.
“I don’t think I can get out of the car. This is insane. I’m going back to the apartment. You go,” I said, trying to buckle my seat belt.
William grabbed the seat belt and pushed it out of my way. “We’re hindering the flow of vehicles. We need to step out of the car. Come on. It’s going to be okay,” he said with a nod, his tone almost melodic.
I saw Caleb bending over just outside the door. He was surely trying to see if I was okay.
Okay,I can do this.
Aaron and Caleb were going to be with me the entire time. And I planned to ask Lily if I could sit next to her in the theater. Everything was going to be okay.
William stepped out of the car, and the screams were deafening. “Ready?” He offered his hand to me, and I took it.
“Are you okay, Miss Murphy?” Caleb asked, scowling at William next, who didn’t even notice because he was busy waving hello to the fans that stood on the other side of the street with his fake-ass smile. Ugh. I liked his real smile better, as annoying as it could be.
“Ah, yes. Just nervous,” I replied to Caleb. “William’s going to help me go straight to the theater.”
Caleb frowned, looking suspicious of William. Or maybe I was projecting myself on him.
William stood behind me and placed his hand on the small of my back. “Come on. Let’s go inside that tent.”
I was relieved to see Lily, Joel, and Tobias stepping out of their car.
We were only a few steps away from the tent, but the blinding lights from the photographers’ cameras didn’t stop for one second as we made our way there.
“I told you, you’re safe with me,” William said with a comforting smile.
Aaron and Caleb followed us to the tent. William said hi to some of the people around us. Some were elegantly dressed, while others wore all-black clothing and earpieces just like Aaron and Caleb.
“Billie!” Lily was walking our way. “I’m so sorry,” she said, lowering her voice, looking at William. “I’ll take it from here.” She grabbed my hand, and William didn’t look pleased. But I finally felt like I could breathe again—sort of.
“William said he was taking me through a shortcut that goes straight to the theater.” As soon as I was done speaking, I knew there was no shortcut because Lily’s face told me so.
“I mean, there is a way, but it’s through the left side of the entrance. There are a lot of people who come to premieres and don’t walk the red carpet. But we can’t access it now. The photographers are blocking the way.
“Besides, Ilaria will flip if you aren’t photographed in your outfit. I told her you would be arriving with us. I’m afraid we’ll have to walk the carpet. But I’ll do it with you, okay? And if you feel like it’s too much, just keep walking until you get to the next tent. The carpet’s not very long in this theater.”
Joel and William were talking in Swedish behind us. I couldn’t understand shit. Tobias was busy greeting people—or being greeted, that is. He looked great.
“Right this way,” said one of the women in black to us as she held the tent’s curtain open. Lily was still gripping my hand.
Aaron walked out of the tent and straight to the next one without looking back. Caleb stood close behind me.
Lily was right. The carpet wasn’t very long. I could do this.
