by Nella Tyler
“Well, y’all weren’t talking about me, so I fancied a listen,” Auntie Bee retorted. “What did you mean by that, Ma?”
“A hippie, of course,” she replied solemnly, her lip curling a bit. “But I’ll try not to hold it against him.”
Auntie Bee and I burst out laughing. Everyone turned around, Augie running up and asking, “What? What? Tell me? What did Gramma say?”
I shook my head. “You had to be there.”
“But I am here!” Augie scowled. “You better not change because you’re a movie star now.”
Grabbing my skinny little brother around the waist, I hugged him tightly, then tickled his sides, making him shriek. “Movie star or not, I still know your weakness, Augie Book. And you best not forget.”
Hours later, long after the sun had gone down, we were bidding my family good night for what seemed the tenth time. Everyone had already been hugged five or six times.
Gramma was grimacing. “We’re not Italian, you know. We can say goodbye in a proper amount of time.”
“Ma!” Auntie Bee protested, glancing over at her.
“What? I didn’t come up with that. Gianna Boronni told me about it. Her family takes hours to say goodbye. Get too emotional about it.”
“Still, it didn’t sound right, shush,” Auntie Bee scolded.
“Thank you again,” Kris said, as we finally got in the car. Sitting there while I checked my phone for traffic, he groaned as he shut the door and sat back in the passenger seat. “I ate way too many burgers and ribs. I’m not gonna make it.”
“I know. That’s why I’m driving. You’re probably going to fall into a food coma any minute.”
“That was nice,” he said, and I looked up to see him watching my house. Everyone had gone back inside, and I could see the flickering light of the TV against the window. “Your family is nice.”
“They adore you, now, you know,” I said, leaning over.
He leaned towards me as well. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I think you might be expected to show up at all sorts of events from now on. Augie’s games, Billy’s shows, Hank’s graduation…”
“I can do that,” Kris murmured, sounding distracted.
Grabbing his shirt, I kissed him, long and hard. He looked a little surprised when he sat back. “What was that for?” He asked.
“Thank you,” I said. “Today was… Well, I was worried. And I shouldn’t have been.”
“I honestly had a good time. We should visit more often. And–”
Kris didn’t get to finish that thought, I pulled him in for another kiss. And we lost track of time until a sharp rap came at the window. Jumping apart, we stared at each other and then Kris let out a snort of laughter as he looked beyond me.
Turning I saw my Gramma glaring in the window. Rolling it down, I smiled at her. “Oh, hi.”
“Camilla Book, some of us would like to get home tonight. Now stop necking with your boyfriend and get back to Birmingham before the sun comes up. Honestly.” She shook her head. “I can only hope the two of you are using protection going at it like that, like two bunnies.”
“Gramma!” I gasped as she gave me a saucy look and marched to her car.
“I want to get home, Camilla!” she yelled at me.
Next to me, Kris was shaking with laughter as I backed out, both mortified and scandalized. “Oh, I think I found the star of my next documentary,” he gasped out. “What do you think?”
“Oh my God,” I muttered. “I think we’re not coming back to Cropwell for another ten years. Maybe not even then. I hope she doesn’t say anything to anyone. Oh, who am I kidding? She will.”
“No, we should come back next week!” he cried out, before bursting into laughter again as I drove away as fast as I possibly could, my grandmother’s headlights shining accusingly through the back window. And in spite of myself, I began to laugh too.
Chapter 39
Kris
One Month Later.
Retying my tie for the third time, I peered into the bathroom mirror and shook my head as I plucked it undone again. “Why can’t I get this right?” I muttered as I tied it again.
Finally, after the sixth try, the tie was perfect, and I stepped out of the bathroom and clattered down the steps. “Cam, you almost ready?” I called out, before coming to a dead stop at the bottom of the stairs.
Cammie was standing in the middle of the hallway, anxiously peering into a floor length mirror that was hung there. On one side of her was a rosy-shaded lamp and on the other, light streamed in from the windows, creating a halo around her. She was wearing a long, tight, gold dress that fell to her feet, hugging and flaunting every curve. My jaw hit the floor. Her hair was pinned up and long earrings dangled in her ears.
“I think this dress is all wrong,” she said and winced as she looked back at her perfect bubble of a butt. “It’s too tight, too much. It’s not appropriate. Why did I listen to Anna?”
“Cammie,” I said, coming forward as I regained the power of motion and speech. “What are you talking about? You’re a vision. If I’d seen you before I got to the bottom of the stairs, I would have fallen down them.” I twirled her and held her against me. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”
Her face twisted in the mirror, eyebrows furrowing, “But Kris, we’re running late and I–”
“Shh,” I murmured into her hair. “Stop and please listen to me.”
With an irritated sigh, she did so and took a quick, deep breath.
“Don’t open your eyes yet,” I said. “Camilla Book. You are an incredible, passionate woman. Full of life and brilliance – you amaze me with your beauty and grace every day. And I don’t mean just how smoking hot you are. I mean that gorgeous heart of yours, too.” I paused, closing my eyes for a second and savoring this moment. Cammie’s scent still never failed to send a tingle down my spine and heat flaring up from my stomach.
“Kris…” she started to say.
“No, sorry, I wasn’t done.” I quickly interrupted and opened my eyes. “If you could see what I see right now, you would see a stunning brunette with curves to stop a man his tracks – curves to kill, baby – I’m dead serious. You would see an accomplished tour de force who I fall more in love with every day. Who helps me run my father’s company, whose presence alone is enough to make my heart sing – make anyone’s heart sing. A dynamo of Southern charm and steel. My girl, who has me wrapped around her pinky finger.” I kissed the side of her head. Her back muscles had relaxed, and she was smiling now, her head resting on my shoulder. “Okay, you can open your eyes.”
She opened them and looked up at me. “You know, Boldin, you’re not so bad yourself.”
I kissed her lightly. “I know.”
Cammie let out a shaky breath, glanced in the mirror and nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Seriously? I am good.” I smirked at her.
“But like right now, before I lose my nerve to walk out of here in this dress.”
“Girl, I’m already anticipating taking that dress off of you; don’t toy with a man,” I replied, following her outside and helping her down the steps.
Shooting me a sassy look, Cammie smiled coyly at me. “You know, you do clean up well.”
I tugged on my tie and grinned at her. “Not too bad in the penguin suit, huh?”
Her eyes flicked over me, and I swallowed. “The complete opposite of bad.”
“Alright, let’s go before I take that dress off of you,” I said, hurrying her to the car and making her laugh.
As of 3 a.m. that morning, the documentary had finally been finished. We still needed to edit some of the credits, and clean up some color corrections, but everything left was minor things. The story was done, and that was the most crucial piece for the advance screening.
After the screening, there would a party – a night for showing off to the media, the investors and most importantly, the team – how Bold Pictures wasn’t just in the game: it was the game.
Cammie had clutched my hand the entire time as we watched it. I didn’t even remember seeing it – only blips and pieces.
How one moment where Cammie had smiled out at the audience, the music swelling all around her made me feel like the luckiest guy alive.
And another moment, where I was young, holding my mother’s hand and she kissed the top of my head, making my throat close.
Finally, there was one moment towards the end – where you saw my dad fiddling with a camera and my mother walked over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. Immediately he dropped the camera and turned to her, gazing at her with open adoration and worship.
Then he looks over at the camera and winks. We’d thought it was a perfect, cheeky reminder to everyone that Bold Pictures would never forget Lukas Boldin and that we would uphold his legacy. I’d never given it a second thought beyond that.
But at that moment, it seemed to be for me alone. A little nod from my dad.
Behind me, I could hear Cammie’s mom, grandmother, and aunt sobbing, along with Vince’s Mamaw and possibly Vince. My grandmother and grandfather, who’d gotten here with seconds to spare, were sitting on the other side of me. I glanced over to see my grandfather wiping at his face, and my grandmother reached over to hold my hand.
“Kris, he would be so proud. He is so proud,” she whispered. “But you know that, don’t you?”
I couldn’t speak, so I just nodded.
After the showing, I felt as though I’d suddenly descended from the stratosphere back into my body in one fell swoop. Standing there, with a drink in my hand, I blinked as I looked around. That was it. This film was done. And I felt a strange kind of regret come over me.
“Post-film blues,” Max commented in my ear. “I get it.”
“What?” I asked, turning to him. “Where did you even come from?”
“I saw that look on your face. It’s that bittersweet relief. Film is done, but that means it’s over. Art is a journey after all, and once you get to the top of the mountain, you start to miss the climb. Because now you’re looking out across the next peaks you have to scale.” He chuckled.
“How much have you had to drink?” I asked, shaking my head and looking around the room. We’d managed to secure a private theater with a reception area, which was now packed to capacity. People were moving about, chattering excitedly, tossing back drinks and laughing. To one side, I could see Lucy and Cammie regaling a group of board members and investors. All of them looked enraptured, especially Lionel Meeks, whereas Miles Buck looked distinctly uncomfortable.
A little beyond them, I could see Anna Dewitt, her blonde hair piled high, tormenting a blushing Hans. Elsewhere, Rhett and Shelby were skulking, attempting to pretend they were having a good time. Part of me wondered if they’d stay on, but I didn’t care anymore. Cammie had been doing outreach to hiring agencies, and we’d received a flood of job applicants.
“Kris,” Max boomed, clapping me on the shoulder and I saw Simone glance over, startled. She was gorgeous in a pink dress, holding Maya and Perry by their hands as she began walking towards us. “Your father would be so proud of you. This documentary was bigger than his first one.”
“Get out of here. Nothing beats my grandpa’s shoes,” I said with a laugh.
Glancing over to another corner, I saw with some amusement that my grandparents, Vince, his grandparents, and all of the Books had clustered around a table together. Cammie’s grandmother seemed to be telling a hilarious story, from the way Augie was hanging onto his brother Billy and laughing into his shoulder.
“I mean it, Kris,” Max said seriously, and I turned to look at him. He was bright-eyed, smiling at me like he was trying not to cry. “Your dad would have said the same thing.” His throat worked. “This was off the charts in terms of its scope. Your career has just taken off like a rocket ship. I’m just glad I was there to see it.”
“Thanks, Max,” I said and put down my drink to hug him. “But you know I couldn’t have done this without you.”
He hugged me back. “You’re welcome.” Then he stepped back and gave me a stern look. “But don’t ever underestimate yourself again.”
“Uncle Kris!” came Maya’s chirp and I looked down to see her smiling at me. Her brown curls were in a halo around her head, and I squatted down to hug her. “I liked the movie.”
“I loved it,” Simone said, picking up Perry and smiling at me too. “It was beautiful. I forgive you for monopolizing my husband last month.” When I went to speak, she shook her head. “Oh no, I’m kidding. Well, mostly. But still, Kris, honey, it was amazing.” She kissed Max on the cheek. “You two did good. I’m proud of you both.”
“Uncle Kris, Uncle Kris,” Maya was tugging on my sleeve as I was about stand up and I turned back to her. “Are you going to marry that lady? Cammie? That’s what Mommy said.”
I shot a look up at Simone who made a face somewhere between horror and hilarity. “Well, I haven’t asked her yet, if that’s what you’re asking,” I said, trying to stall.
I should have known better. Putting her hands on her hips, Maya glared up at me as I stood up. “No, it is not. I asked if you were gonna ask. Not if you did ask. Geesh.”
I laughed. “That is the two of you, right there.”
“C’mere, Maya,” Max said, picking her up. “Stop torturing your uncle.”
Simone gave me a one-armed hug, and Perry gave me a sleepy kiss. “I think we’re gonna head out. Save you from Maya.”
“Yeah, you better run,” I muttered, ruffling Perry’s head.
“Excuse me?” Simone squinted.
Hastily I smiled and said, “Nothing, nothing.”
“Mhm, that’s what I thought. C’mon, you two,” Simone ordered. I watched her and Max leave.
Then I stopped to appreciate this moment.
In a way, it seemed like my dad was here, as though the creation of the film was somehow in part due to him. Not just because whether because I was his son or this was his company, but because of him. For the first time in months, he didn’t feel far away. I didn’t know.
And I had to agree with what everyone kept telling me.
He would have been proud.
And he probably would have been having the time of his life, drinking, going toe to toe with Gramma Book, and then inviting Cammie to dance, ignoring her protests that there was no music.
Sensing eyes on me, I turned to see Cammie gazing at me across the room. She was giving an interview, and she winked at me when I met her gaze. The reporter seemed to be in a tizzy at that, glancing back at me and turning to her, her mouth moving a mile a minute.
I smiled as I watched Cammie look back at the reporter, tossing her head back and laughing, then answering the question in her sweet, Alabama girl way.
Hell yeah, my dad was proud.
Epilogue
Cammie
Two years later…
“Thank you,” I said, closing the hotel door behind the team of stylists and makeup artists.
Turning, I blew out a long breath and stared at my reflection in the huge mirror that dominated the front hall of the suite.
“I’m a princess,” I murmured to myself and smiled a little. Seven-year-old Cammie would have been over the moon at the dress. As it was, the current Cammie was somewhere near Jupiter.
Wearing a full-skirted gown made by Giambattista, on loan for the red carpet premiere tonight, I was torn between the absolute terror I’d ruin it and the absolute ecstasy of wearing it. Shot with peach tints, it was a soft coral that reminded me of the dress I’d worn on my first date with Kris. I even had a dainty tiara on. The stylists had really gone all out for tonight.
The Critic’s Choice Awards night.
We were going to the Critic’s Choice Awards.
Me and Kris. Even though he had the tickets in his wallet, it still didn’t feel real.
Picking up my skirts, I went to find him. He was sitting on the big bed, pulling on his socks, but he stopped and gazed up
at me with a look on his face. As always, he made me catch my breath, it was so open with both awe and love.
His eyes tracking over me from head to toe. “Wow. Bold Pictures has a princess now? We really are moving on up in the world.”
“Yeah, I thought the first dress I ever wore to one of these was a lot. But this takes the cake.”
“You kind of look like a cake, a peach one, hey!” he cried out as I threw a pillow at him. “I also have to try to look good tonight. Not that anyone’s going to be paying attention to me.”
Walking to the window, I peered out on the busy street and then looked back at Kris. I felt as nervous as I had the first time I ever went to a premiere for Bold. “We’re in California,” I remarked.
“Yeah, that sixteen-hour flight was no joke.” He winked at me. “No layovers on the way home, thank goodness. And first class, baby. Don’t say I don’t treat you right.”
“No, but I mean – we’re in California. Going to the Critic’s Choice Awards.” I shook my head. “It feels like a dream.”
“Our dream. All because of you, beautiful. You came up with the idea.”
I shrugged and grinned nervously. It had been a tough film to make, but necessary in this day and age. It was about environmental preservation in coastal towns and pollution in the oceans. But while the first part was chilling, the second part had focused on how everyday people had stepped up. From humble fisherman collecting trash to whole towns meeting energy reduction challenges. How we could come together to ensure a better and cleaner future.
At least, that’s what I was going to say if we won. Kris had already insisted I speak.
“Of course I know we’re doing well,” I said, my mind hopscotching from my nerves about tonight to my worries about the five films currently in the pipeline. Five at once! It made me nervous just to think about being away from my computer for an entire week. “But, I’m still in awe.”
“We have come very far from renting out a fancy movie theater in Birmingham and proving to the board we are necessary, if that’s what you’re getting at.” Kris was now looping the last part of his tie. “Look at that, first try. Like I said, moving on up in the world.”
