As she makes her acceptance speech, my mind dwells on days spent in the theater alongside my mother, basically growing up behind the scenes. And though I can’t fault it or my mother’s love, I can’t help but wonder what my passion might have been had I been allowed to discover it myself.
I could have been a pilot. A teacher. A dance instructor or a cab driver.
I could have farmed a ranch outside of Austin, Texas…
My chest aches at the thought—one that’s only now crossed my mind for the first time, having been so focused on sticking to the plan I’d set for myself so long ago—and I glance stage right again, eyes raking over Ford’s tall, muscular form, clad in a tuxedo that fits obscenely well.
And even though he looks so damn good in the tux, I can’t help remembering him in low-slung denim and a blue checkered shirt with rolled-up sleeves. Dusty boots and leather chaps. The black cowboy hat I bought for his twenty-first birthday…
Raucous applause makes me jump as Lawson and Mimi link my arms on either side and steer me off-stage.
Initially, I’m so caught up in a haze of memories that I follow along blindly, but it isn’t until I begin to descend the steps that I look back, realizing we’ve exited stage left.
“We need to go stage right?—”
I spin to go back, but one of The Yardley employees steps in front of me, shaking his head. “Please continue moving forward.”
“But I need to…my…umm, security is on the other side of the stage.”
“I’m sorry, miss. It’s a one-way system this evening.” At my crest-fallen look, he indicates a long corridor at the foot of the stairs and to the right. “If you hang a right just there, keep going straight until you come to the Green Room. You can use the door on the opposite side to bring you out stage right.”
My face transforms into a bright smile. “Thank you so much!”
The employee’s light brown eyes shine with delight as he replies, “You’re welcome, Miss Hart.”
But I’m already moving before he’s even finished.
Somehow, in the week Ford’s been back in my life, I’ve begun to rely on him in a way I haven’t relied on anyone, probably ever.
So I quickly follow the guy’s directions, and easily make my way to the Green Room until I’m met with no doors besides the one I came in through.
“Motherfucker!”
“You’re even more beautiful in the flesh, Miss Hart.”
A low voice from behind me sends a shiver down my spine as I pivot to face the employee who directed me here.
His eyes are trained firmly on me, filled to the brim with an almost fanatical zeal that fills me with more fear than I’d have thought humanly possible.
I open my mouth to scream, instantly stopping when he holds up his hands to showcase a small pistol clasped in one. “Ireallydon’t want to use this, okay?”
As terror-fueled adrenaline flows through me, turning my veins into ice, I nod slowly. “What do you want from me?”
“Dave.”
I blink in confusion. “Pardon?”
When he steps closer, it takes everything inside of me to remain rooted to the spot with my entire body screaming to run.
“My name is Dave, Miss Hart. And I’m your biggest fan.”
He says it like it’s a fact. It’s like he’s telling me his age or where he grew up. In his mind, heismy biggest fan.
All I can think to do now is buy some time in the hopes that Ford will find us before things escalate further. I know without a doubt that he’ll tear The Yardley apart when he realizes I’mmissing, and the thought bolsters me, making the fear take a backseat.
So, I do what I do best.
“Tell me more about you, Dave. I’d love to hear all about my biggest fan.”
