Page 104 of Dream (Fighting Fate)

Chapter 63

Olivia

Nerves fluttered deep in my stomach as the Escalade moved slowly down Santa Monica Boulevard, toward the Beverly Hilton Hotel. As much as I’d started to get used to going out in public with Josh the last week, this was a way bigger deal. Tonight, we were attending the Britannia Awards Gala dinner, and I was more than a little anxious. I was ready to pee myself.

With the help of Sam and Aunt Jenny—my improvised wardrobe team—I was wearing a red slim line dress with a V neck that crossed over the bust, and small, conservative pumps. My hair had been set in soft, loose waves, and other than a silver bracelet Josh had given me this week, I wore no jewelry. It was a modest look, with my dress falling just below my knees, but I wasn’t out to make a statement. I just wanted to support Josh in whatever way I was able to. The only controversial part to my look—if you wanted to call it that—was the slight bruising that still lingered on my neck.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to relax my hands on my clutch, but I was just too wound up to make it work. I actually thought I might be sick.

“Hey,” Josh said from beside me, his hand sliding over mine. “Stop stressing. You’ll be fine. I wouldn’t drag you along unless I knew you could do this.”

Blowing out a deep breath, I nodded, but I still wasn’t convinced.

Josh shifted his body so it was more in line with mine. “Baby, it’s not that much different than what we get on the sidewalk. It’s actually easier than that because the crowds are controlled. The only visible difference is the fact that everyone’s dressed nicer,” he said, grinning.

I looked over his black tuxedo and nodded. He was right. I could do this.

“Here,” he said, reaching behind him and pulling out two little bottles of amber liquid. “I know I shouldn’t be encouraging this—especially because you’re underage—but let’s make a toast.”

He unscrewed the lids and handed me one. “What is it?”

“Brandy. It’ll just take the edge off your nerves, okay?”

I gave the bottle a little sniff, trying to work out what it might taste like. I was hesitant to drink anything that might impair my judgment, especially when the world was watching, but I could also say the same for the nerves that were growing with every breath I took. They had just as much potential to make me do something that could embarrass me for the next decade.

Holding the bottle up to tap it against Josh’s, I threw caution to the wind and tipped the liquid back.

My eyes widened as it burned all the way down my throat. Holding my breath, I tried to wait the sting out, pleading with myself not to choke, cough, or spit it out. After a few seconds, I took a breath, weirded out by the warmth that was spreading all the way down to my stomach.

“Okay?” Josh asked, taking the empty bottle from me and dropping them both behind him.

I nodded, not sure I could get my voice to work just yet. But as the car slowed further, pulling up to the hotel, I started to feel a slight tingling in my muscles, loosening them, helping me to release the tension I was clinging to.

“Here we go,” Lance called out from the driver’s seat.

The Escalade came to a stop, and Daniel jumped out of the passenger seat, ready to open our door. Josh squeezed my hand. “Just smile. Show them how happy you are.”

That, I could do.

As soon as the door opened, cameras started flashing and people started yelling for Josh to look at them. With my hand firmly in his, I let him help me out, stepping onto the red carpet beside him and smoothing down my dress. The warmth of the brandy was well and truly settling into my body now, but I kind of felt a little light-headed if I was to be honest. I wasn’t sure if I liked it.

Josh pulled me forward a little before stopping and turning toward the yelling cameras.

“Joshua! This way!”

“Over here!”

“Joshua! Olivia!”

We turned again, stopping to face another direction. Dutifully, I smiled, trying not to get blinded by the lights. After another turn, Josh squeezed my hand and started guiding me toward the hotel again, obviously done with the posing.

But then we were on some freaking red carpet version of the yellow brick road, because to me, it seemed to go on forever, and it was lined with dozens of people holding microphones and cameras.

Crap. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the red road.

A woman with a clipboard and headpiece that had a microphone attached, rushed up, her face set into what could only be described as all business. “Joshua. You’re up for pictures.”

Josh nodded, following the manic woman as she briskly led us to a raised platform surrounded by dozens of photographers. Letting Josh’s hand slip from mine, I gave him a smile, letting him know I was perfectly fine with him getting up there without me.

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