Page 24 of Becoming Cinderella

That can’t be true. Can it?

“I think this is one of the nicest things anyone has done for me.” His lips curve into a smile that I mirror. He reaches over and gives me a one-armed hug, his other hand extending the pie away from us.

“I’m going to go put this in the back. I’m so excited to go home and eat this.” His excitement is almost tangible and I have to admit I’m enjoying myself a little too much.

Liam is a genius.

The rest of the shift is like the days before Jared told me he liked Penn. It’s full of giggles and playful teasing and it helps restore any doubt that I was doing this all for nothing. Jared and I can work out, and it’s Liam’s behind the scenes work that is going to help make it happen.

When I get home that night I call Liam to let him know his plan worked like a charm. After retelling him the events from after he left, we end up talking for hours. I tell him all about my day at school and he tells me about his on set, omitting the break he took to come deliver the pie. We then move on to discussing things from our favorite songs to our most embarrassing moments. I don’t even realize how much time has passed before my dad knocks on my door, telling me goodnight. I look at the time and see it’s 10:30. Somehow we’ve been talking on the phone for over three hours.

“I didn’t realize the time.” Liam says after he hears me tell my dad goodnight.

“Me either. I guess I should go.” Even though I don’t want to.

“Yeah, same,” he pauses and I’m about to say goodbye before he speaks again. “By the way, what do you think about coming to the set on Saturday? Turns out I won’t be able to make our normal lesson at the studio, so maybe you can come up here and actually see where this grand ball will be happening?”

Is he kidding? I’m definitely interested in doing that!

“Yeah, sounds fun.” I say, trying to keep my excitement in check.

“Great. I’ll text you the time and the address.”

I smile as I hang up the phone. I get to go to an actual movie set!

Chapter Seven

On Saturday I pull up slowly to a security checkpoint.

“Uh, hi.” I tell the guard as he leans down into my window. “I’m supposed to be meeting Liam Taylor.”

His face is expressionless and I can tell even behind his sunglasses he doesn’t believe me. “Of course you are. You and all those other girls.” He nods his head across the street where a group of around fifteen girls, ranging in age, are huddled together. Some of them have signs on neon poster board while others have their phones aimed at me in case I’m someone worth taking a picture of. I look back at the security guard who is already walking back to his post where another guard sits, dismissing me. A catering van pulls up behind me.

“Um no, I’m sorry. Liam really is expecting me.” I don’t sound sure of myself, but it’s hard to the way the guard is staring me down

“Ma’am, you’re blocking traffic. We need you to move.”

I let out a huff in annoyance and move my car over for the van to get through. Do I just leave and tell Liam they wouldn’t let me in? I reach for my phone in the passenger seat and dial his number.

“Hey,” Liam answers. “You here? Just keep straight and you’ll see the trailers on your left. There’s a small parking area near there. I’ll meet you there.”

“Well you see, security thinks I’m a fan.”

“Aren’t you?” I can hear the humor in his voice. Oh, if only he knew. “I’m kidding, I’ll take care of it. Don’t leave.” He hangs up before I can say anything.

The security guard watches me, annoyed I’m still there, even though I’m no longer blocking the way.

I stare down at my phone, as if that will make me invisible. Like a toddler hiding behind their own hand, thinking they can’t be seen. To no surprise I can feel stares from the girls and the two security guards and I hate it. A few minutes later a knock comes at my window.

“Ma’am, we need you to move your car. If you’re going to join the other girls you have to park down the street.”

I’m about to tell him once again I’m not here to join the other girls when a golf cart pulls up to the security stand. One of the girls starts talking louder in her excitement as she points excessively at the cart. The security guard and I both look as Liam jumps out and starts talking to a guard still at the stand. The guard nods and motions me over.

I drive over, fully aware of the hyped girls watching my every move. Their obvious excitement at their Liam sighting is palpable. As I pull up, Liam waves to the girls, causing them to jump up and down with screams.

“Hi.” He smiles as he gets in and shuts the door. “Follow that cart.” He nods his head toward the golf cart that has begun its drive back up the road. “Sorry about that. I’ll get a badge made for you so it shouldn’t happen again.” He rests his arm on my open window and drums his fingers along to the music that’s quietly playing on the radio.

He already wants me to come back? I bite my lower lip to keep a smile from spreading across my face at the thought.

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