Page 96 of When Stars Collide
“Yes. Can’t take her anywhere.” He turned his attention to me. “We’re done with interviews and they want to take a few obligatory photos in front of the backdrop. I’d like you to be included in the photographs. Good PR for the firm and all.”
“Aw, but I was just getting to know Mena,” Preston lamented, a sparkle in his sea foam green eyes.
“Yes, well, I’m afraid you’ll have to take a rain check with Ms. Straszewski. Duty calls, after all.” Phineas put a hand on my shoulder, attempting to direct me away from Preston. I shrugged him off, glaring at him.
“Too bad. Catch you later, Mena?”Preston called out to me.
“Sure,” I answered him. “It’s been a pleasure running into you.”
Preston chuckled as I walked away, taking steps as big as my high heels would allow.
“Mena, wait,” Phineas called out to me. I ignored him, knowing he would catch up to me in just a few short steps, anyway. “Mena, please.” He rested a hand on my shoulder, further irritating me.
“What was that all about?” I asked, whirling around so quickly he had to take a step back to avoid running into me.
“Preston Paul has a reputation with the ladies, and it’s not a good one.”
“So … what? You were just going to swoop in and save the day? I’m not a damsel in distress, Phineas. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, and I’m sorry for upsetting you.” He paused, collecting himself. “When I saw his hands on you, knowing what I know—how many women he’s gone through—I just snapped. Of course, you can take care of yourself, Mena. I know that very well. Everyone who comes in contact with you is well aware of that.”
“Then you would have already known that a man like Preston Paul doesn’t interest me in the least.”
He seemed surprised, shocked even. “I think that’s the first time a woman has ever said that.”
“You’ll find I’m full of surprises.”
“Isn’t that the truth.” He smiled softly. “Forgive me?”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You’re going to have to think about it quickly because we have to take that picture, and you glowering at me will look rather awkward.”
“Wait, that picture’s an actual thing?”
“Afraid so.” He gestured with his head for me to follow him to the backdrop situated past the line of reporters, who had moved on from Kira Cappuci to Preston Paul and his co-stars.
In front of the backdrop, Esther stood, posing with her hand on her hip and a shy smile. We stood back, watching her until the photographer motioned for Phineas to join her. Esther relaxed a little with Phineas by her side. Her smile was more genuine, revealing her teeth. After a dozen or so shots were taken, I was instructed to join them. Being hypercritical of myself, photographs weren’t my thing. Only roughly five percent of the photos taken of me were halfway decent, with the other ninety-five percent being cringe-inducing. Hopefully, these photographs wouldn’t end up anywhere anyone would see them.
“Okay, Ms. Cartwright, that’s a wrap for you.” The photographer, pointed at Phineas and me, never once looking up from the viewfinder of his camera. “You two, let’s get a few photos.”
Phineas shrugged as I posed next to him, positioning my body in much the same way Esther had; body turned at an angle, hand on the hip, and a half-bored, half-thankful-to-be-here smile on my face. The universally accepted pose for those who didn’t know what the hell else to do with themselves in front of a camera. Around mid-photoshoot, Phineas unexpectedly put his arm around my waist, drawing me in closer to him. I momentarily peered up at him, while somehow maintaining a shit-eating grin that was stretching every muscle in my face to the max.
“Okay, I think we got a good assortment,” the photographer proclaimed as Phineas removed his arm from my waist.
Shortly after the entire cast had their photos taken, we all filed into the theater for the screening ofSoldiers of Atlantis.During the movie, I occasionally caught myself watching Esther’s reactions to her story being brought to life before her eyes. Awe co-mingled with pride and disbelief while words that had once only appeared on her laptop were recited onscreen by characters her brain had created. It was magic and a shining example of one of the reasons why I enjoyed my job so much. Next to Esther, Phineas beamed, knowing just how much he’d fought for this moment himself. And it didn’t disappoint—or so it seemed. If Esther was disappointed, she didn’t show it. Of course, the book was better—the books were always better. But Kira Capucci and Preston Paul came to play for this movie, putting forth a believable performance and a home run for Drake Publishing.
*****
We arrived back at Phineas’s place just after midnight, both of us riding high on adrenaline from the night.
“Tonight couldn’t have possibly gone any better,” Phineas proclaimed as we walked through the door. He made a beeline to the kitchen, grabbing a couple of champagne flutes on his way to the refrigerator.
Feet throbbing, I unfastened the straps on my heels and kicked them off next to the door. After a whole night in them, the arches of my feet felt higher, like the heels had spent the night molding them into their own image. Just the act of walking felt beyond awkward as I padded my way to Phineas’s living room, trying to bring back the sensation in my feet.
“I think we’ve earned this.” Phineas appeared next to me, handing me the champagne he’d poured.
I took the glass from him. “Yes, I have. I managed to socialize with the populace for an entire eveningandI was cordial.”
