I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Must we?”
I wonder if anyone would actually notice if I didn’t show up to my own film premiere. The thought makes me smile.
But of course I have to go. Early reviews are already callingRobyn Hoodtimeless, praising my nuanced portrayal and Amara’s masterful direction. Critics are even whispering about award season potential.
The world is about to see just how incredible this film turned out to be.
“Heather, Geraldine, and Ramsey will have my head if I don’t deliver you to this premiere on time.” He laughs softly. “Now let me see those hands. These rings complete the look.”
I turn to face him, watching as he slides each ring onto my fingers with reverent care.
“Beautiful,” I whisper, admiring how the silver bands catch the light.
“You always are.” His eyes meet mine. “I do know how to showcase my girl.”
My heart swells at the possessiveness in his tone.
Dante moves through the world with a quiet understanding of my needs that I find both comforting and unnerving. Sometimes I think about how he knows exactly when to let silence fill the space between us and when to break it. The way he challenges me feels inevitable.
After his suspension concluded, I’ve had the privilege of seeing him in his prime. At his return match, I watched him reclaim his place on the piste. He moved like he’d never left the sport at all. He demolished his opponent’s defenses one byone. When he scored that final point, that defining moment that silenced every critic who’d doubted his return. I had to grip my seat to keep from running onto the piste.
There was something embarrassingly earnest about rearranging my filming schedule to accommodate his next matches, but I did it anyway. We both perform better when we’re together.
Dante faces the mirror, and I can’t take my eyes off of him. From his perfectly styled dark hair to his immaculate shoes, he’s devastating.
We both pretend to hate when people call us a power couple, but maybe we’re just afraid of how accurate it feels.
“Like what you see?” He catches me staring.
“Perhaps,” I demur. “You do clean up rather well, Mr. Hastings.”
“Just well?” His eyebrow arches as he turns to face me.
“You know exactly what you do to me,” I say, heat coloring my cheeks.
I tilt my head up, and he kisses me, his mouth gentle against mine. My pulse flutters beneath my skin. Everything about this feels precious. The soft press of his lips, the way we fit together without effort.
The human body remembers things, mine remembers him from that first kiss and how now each touch feels both familiar and thrillingly new.
“God, Reese, I’m never going to tire of doing that,” he says with a smile.
“Me neither.”
We break apart, and I gather up my essentials before we head out.
Dante sits on the bed, checking his phone, his expression suddenly grave. “Finn’s scan results came in.”
I pause, anxiety creeping in. Finn, Alec’s childhood best friend who’s practically another brother to Dante, has been in Mercy General since a devastating climbing accident two weeks ago. “And?”
“The doctors want to try a more aggressive treatment plan to help him recover.”
“When we get back to LA, why don’t we drive up to Mercy General again?” I offer, remembering how Dante’s eldest brother, Alec, had been a shell of himself during our first visit. “I hate seeing your family hurting like this.”
“I would love that,” he says softly, and I notice the way his voice wavers slightly, though he’s trying to stay strong. “Alec needs all of us right now.”
“I’ll always be here for you,” I promise, reaching for his hand. The simple gesture speaks volumes.
“Things might get messy. Got that Nike campaign in Italy. Exhibition match too.”
