“The car should be downstairs wait—.” He stopped mid-sentence as he turned around to face me, his eyes running up and down my body.
Suddenly self-conscious, I began rambling. “Too much? It’s too much, isn’t it? Or maybe it’s not enough? Damn it, Ruby, I should have known—”
“You look beautiful. Absolutely amazing … your attire that is. A-plus to Ruby, whoever she is.”
Heart pounding erratically in my chest, I sat across from Phineas in the back of the limousine, staring in awe at the scene unfolding before me from safely behind its tinted windows. The theater was just a block away; the streets, lined with people. All around us, camera flashes twinkled like stars.
“Esther Cartwright is in the car ahead of us,” Phineas announced, breaking up the silence in our car.”
“Esther? No wonder she goes by E.V.”
“Do me a favor and don’t lead with that when you meet her.”
“Can do.”
“In the car behind us are Kira Capucci and Preston Paul. Any attention being paid to us will quickly dissipate once those two arrive. We’ll be all but invisible—a bunch of nobodies. Just keep thinking to yourself that no one is paying attention to you. This isn’t your night.”
“Do the world a favor and don’t go into motivational speaking.”
“Why? Doesn’t knowing that calm your nerves somewhat?”
“Nerves? Who’s nervous? I’m not nervous.”
“Uh-huh.” He smirked. “Your foot is going to tap a hole in the floor if you keep it up.”
I looked down to see my foot fiercely pounding away at the floor, and promptly stopped it by crossing my other leg over it to anchor it down. Truth was, I was nervous. I was an introvert being thrown headfirst into an extrovert’s playground without a life preserver. On top of that, I would be meeting arguably two of the most famous film stars in the business today, and, I presumed, was expected to make a good impression on them.
“Hey,” Phineas commanded my attention once more, “I’ll be right next to you the entire time. It’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be.”
I nodded, noticing that Esther Cartwright’s car was next in line.
“You look positively terrified.” Phineas snickered.
“I’m glad my discomfort is bringing you so much pleasure,” I snipped at him, fueling the fire of his amusement.
“No, I’ve just never seen this side of you before.” He leaned in closer to me from across the car, his voice softening as he took my hand in his. “It’s going to be fine. I promise.”
Phineas had a calming effect on people. It was just one of the many gifts he’d been blessed with at birth. Warmth flooded into my body where his hand held mine, briefly taking me back to the night of the opera—when he last touched me. He let go of my hand as if the same thought had occurred to him, too.
“Just point me to the open bar, and I’ll be just fine. There is an open bar, isn’t there?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Honestly, I have no idea.”
“Splendid. All I know is after Elle and Luke’s wedding, I’m done with social events for the year. I’m all evented out. But at least I know their wedding will have an open bar.”
I peered out the window to see Esther Cartwright beginning her walk down the red carpet. From behind the steel safety barricades lining the aisle on both sides, fans of E.V. Cartwright held out their copies of Soldiers of Atlantis, hoping to procure her signature. Some also held out movie posters, while others clutched homemade signs aimed at Hollywood hunk Preston Paul. In the middle of it all stood a petrified Esther.
Same, Esther. Hard Same.
She looked younger than I thought she would be. Years younger than me. Any success I thought I’d achieved in life up until that moment was swiftly nullified when I mentally compared our accomplishments. In fact, so bewitched was I with watching the grace with which Esther was handling the situation that I failed to notice our car moving forward.
“This is our stop.” Phineas ran his hand over his jacket to smooth it out.
“Wait. Already?”
“They’re going to open the door for us. One of the ushers will offer his hand to you to help you out of the car. I’ll be right behind you.”
“I thought you were going to be right beside me?”
“I’ll be right behind you for five seconds, and then I’ll be right beside you for the rest of the night.”
The door opened. Before I exited the car, I glared back at Phineas, giving him a look as if to say you’d better as I grabbed the usher’s hand and reluctantly stepped out onto the red carpet, instantly blinded by camera flashes. In a matter of seconds, Phineas kept his promise, appearing by my side, and we began to make our way down the aisle amid deafening screams from the fans. Despite not having a clue one way or the other as to who we were, the fans behind the barricade still regarded us in awe, as they knew we were somehow involved in their favorite story being brought to life. Such was the omnipotent power of a good book.
“Phineas.” Esther sounded relieved after having just completed an impromptu marathon book signing. “This is crazy, right? Like seriously crazy.” Her blonde bob made her seem even younger, a feat I wouldn’t have thought possible.
“It isn’t crazy, it’s incredible, Esther,” Phineas greeted her. “This is your night, take it all in. You’ve worked very hard for this moment.”
“This moment wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for you believing in me. I can’t thank you enough.” Esther embraced Phineas, ignoring the onslaught of camera flashes this sudden display of affection evoked.
“Are you kidding me? No, Esther, this is all because of you and your talent. I was just lucky enough to be the one you chose to share it with.”
“You’re too modest.” Esther turned to me. “Oh, I’m sorry, Phineas, is this your wife?”
Phineas and I shared a quick glance. I moved to speak but was beaten to the punch.
“Mena is a colleague of mine. She’s … very important to me.”
“Mena! Yes, I seem to recall Phineas mentioning your name quite a bit while working with him.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, shaking her hand.
“Yeah, with the way he talked about you, I would have thought you two were an item.”
Phineas grew rigid next to me. And I knew by the expression on his face, the gears were turning inside of his head, trying to find something to say to buffer Esther’s observations. That’s the thing about Phineas, I almost always knew what he was going to say. His expressive eyes often left little doubt about what was on his mind. A response clicked inside of his head, but just as he was about to speak, the crowd went absolutely nuts.
The three of us looked back at the car that had just arrived right as Kira Capucci stepped out onto the red carpet to thunderous applause. Clad in a hot pink, form-fitting number that complemented her tanned olive skin, the brunette beauty waved to adoring fans as she waited for Preston Paul to emerge. When he did, he did so to cheers of epic proportion and shouts of, “Preston! Preston, over here!” coming from every which way.
“Now that the really important people are here, why don’t we go inside and deal with the press, so that we can get that out of the way?” Esther suggested, with a subtle eye roll.
“Sounds like a splendid idea,” Phineas agreed. “I think those two are going to be a while.”
When we entered the theater, we were met with a barrage of reporters, all waiting in a line that led to a large backdrop with the official logo for Soldiers of Atlantis peppered over it. Official photographs for the premiere would be taken there. As much as I really didn’t want to face more flashbulbs, I was relieved to see that there was at least a light at the end of this tunnel.
Esther turned to Phineas, face pleading with him to accompany her through the assembly line of questioning she was up against. In turn, he peered back at me as if asking for my permission. I flicked my wrist, mouthing, “Go ahead,” to him as I stayed behind, t
rying not to draw attention to myself. I watched him whisper into Esther’s ear, most likely giving her advice. He stayed a couple steps to her left while she answered the reporter’s questions, occasionally looking to him for his approval, which he provided with a nod. As always, he was a true professional.
“Poor Preston is being swallowed alive out there,” a voice I’d heard in film dozens of times said behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see none other than the exotic Kira Capucci heading in the direction of the line of reporters. Right toward me. She was flanked by two burly men—bodyguards, I guessed. “I’d be offended by all the attention he’s getting out there, except it’s cold and there’s booze in here.”
“Seriously?” I asked without thinking. “I knew there would be some form of alcohol served here. Phineas was really holding out on me.”
Kira Capucci eyed me up and down, a sly smile overspreading her face. “A woman after my own heart.” She held out her hand, “Nice to meet you …”
“Mena,” I answered, shaking her hand.
“Mena, it’s always a pleasure to meet someone who can both hold her liquor and appreciates Deidre’s as much as I do.”
“How could you possibly know where my dress came from by just looking at it?”
“Please,” she scoffed as though every woman was born with this superpower. “The cut, the style,” she leaned in closer to me, inhaling deeply, “the smell. I practically live at Deidre’s when I’m in town. I’m sure they probably mentioned that to you while you were there. It’s kind of their thing, or so I’m told.”
“Your name may have been thrown around a time or two.”
“Shocker.” She smirked. “This your first time?”
“Huh?”
“All this.” She gestured all around us. “This is your first premiere, isn’t it?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“You just seem a little out of sorts, is all. Kind of like me at my first premiere. That night, I discovered that champagne works wonders for anxiety.”
“Kira, I sense the beginning of a beautiful friendship between us.”
“Speaking of beautiful, I see you’re here with Phineas Drake.”
“You know Phineas? I mean, of course you do. He’s part of the reason we’re even here right now.”
“Are you kidding me? I knew who he was before I signed on for this movie. Everyone who wants to make a name for themselves in the publishing world has heard of Phineas Drake. I’m working on my memoir, and my agent told me he’s the guy. She just neglected to tell me how handsome he is.” She eyed Phineas in much the same way I used to eye the food trucks that occasionally visited us on campus at Cogsworth—hungry and eager. “Are you two an item?”
“We’re colleagues,” I answered, shaking my head. “Only colleagues and nothing more.”
“Shame … for you, anyway.” With the way she looked at him, I felt like my very presence was intruding on something.
“Kira,” a reporter called, waving for her to make her way over.
“I suppose it’s time to get this over with.” Kira sighed. “It was lovely to meet you, Mena.”
“Likewise.”
I looked around the immense theater filled with Soldiers of Atlantis paraphernalia. The hype for this movie was incredible. If Esther were to write a sequel, she would probably be set for life, but based upon the abject terror on her face this evening, she may just give up writing future blockbusters altogether. A troupe of actors outfitted to resemble the aquatic warriors in the film, complete with gills behind their ears, marched in unison, much to the delight of spectators. With the countdown to showtime steadily drawing nearer, people were beginning to file inside, including the supporting actors from the film and a few select fans. Amused by the fanfare, I watched the troupe, who, without warning, suddenly did an about-face, heading straight toward me. Startled, I backed up, crashing into the person standing behind me.
“Excuse me,” I began, looking up into the eyes of Preston Paul. Of all the people I could have taken out, of course it would have been the star of the film.
“Quite all right,” he said, catching me. His British accent was much heavier in person than it was onscreen, probably by design. “I had a woman faint at my feet this evening, others tugged at my hair, one managed to pilfer a cufflink, but none of them outright tried to tackle me.”
“It was either take you out or get trampled by a school of grown men in fish makeup. I think I made the right choice.”
“Indeed, you did, Miss …”
“Mena.” Phineas called my name. I turned around to find him standing behind me, looking from me to Preston and to Preston’s arm—still firmly around my waist from when he caught me—and then back at me again.
“Ah, Phineas,” Preston greeted him, “are you familiar with this young lady who accosted me?”
“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 of Soldiers 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.
When Stars Collide Page 25
