Nope.
And now you feel like a dork.
Exactly.Alec seriously considered turning around and going home, but he had a second reason to be here—to see if there was a real love connection between Jason and Brooklyn or if it was something else. He had to do it for her sake. And selfishly, his own.
A serious journalist wouldn’t wear a costume. You’re a serious journalist. Even when you talk about guacamole.
Alec smiled at his phone. He and Brooklyn had their issues, but she could make him feel so much better. It was a big part of the reason he fell so hard for her the first time. And why he was struggling to convince himself that he wasn’t falling again.You’re right. See you inside.
He crammed his phone into his pants pocket and decided he was going to attempt to skip the red carpet. Ahead, a round and burly security guy was standing behind one of those steel barricades they use for crowd control. Beyond him was the end of the gauntlet of photographers, and the entrance to the theater. Alec pulled out his VIP pass. “Any chance I can skip the line and sneak inside?”
The man looked him up and down. “Why didn’t you dress up?”
“I stupidly thought ‘optional’ meant optional.”
“It’s a superhero movie. Everyone dresses up for the fan event.”
Alec’s shoulders dropped. “And now I know that. Next time.”
“You’re that guy. From the show. With the ladies. In the morning.”
“Yes. Are you a fan?”
He shook his head. “Not really. My mom loves you though.”
Story of Alec’s life. “What do you want? Signed photo?Good Day USAwater bottle? Beach towel? Name your price.”
“A selfie. The two of us together. For my mom.”
“Yes. You got it.” Enthusiastic about skipping the red carpet, Alec slung his arm over the man’s bulky shoulders and smiled for his phone. “Good?”
He pushed the barricade forward enough for Alec to slink past him. “Yeah. Come on through.”
But Alec didn’t get very far. A hand was on his arm, pulling him back. He turned to see the last person he’d expected—Tilly Ann.
“Alec, what in the hell are you doing? You can’t skip the red carpet. The network will string you up, smear honey on you and release you into a pit of bears.”
Alec now had a chance to absorb what Tilly Ann was wearing—jeans, boots, a black blazer, and aLavamanT-shirt underneath. Why hadn’t he thought of that? “Everyone else is dressed up. I was hoping to avoid the tabloid commentary about my blandness.”
She shook her head. “You act like an idiot sometimes.”
“Hey. The invitation said costumes were optional.”
“That’s not what I mean. You look hot. You always do.” She looped her finger in the air. “Turn around. Let me check out those jeans in the back.”
Alec spent so much of his life trying hard to not make waves, but he had to tell Tilly Ann how he felt when she treated him like this. “It bothers me when you make comments on my appearance.”
“What?”
“And when you touch me when we’re on set.”
“Touch you?”
“Yes. You rub my shoulders and put your hand on my lower back, although it’s practically my butt. It makes me uncomfortable.”
She cocked her head to one side and the creases in her forehead grew deeper. “Really?”
“Really.”
