Nik turned, reaching up to wave at Darcy. “Over here! We’re talking about the song!”
Juliet’s spine snapped straight up, a vicious satisfaction coursing through her.
She and Darcy had taken photos together and had done a few interviews when they’d arrived earlier, on the red carpet. Their outfits complimented one another’s perfectly, without beingtoomatching, which gave Juliet a satisfaction she’d never felt before. Darcy in her revealing, black dress, Juliet in her molten silver gown. Both of their evening wear was sleek, with clean lines, no frills. The designer was the same, even though their colors and exact styles contrasted.
Darcy had been so warm at her side, and she’d given honest, thoughtful responses about what it was like to work on the soundtrack.
But she had been able to feel Darcy’s stiffness. Things weren’t normal between them, and Juliet had still been trying to sort through Darcy’s reaction to Robbie joining them.
It wasn’tcrazy; Juliet understood that. Of course, she understood that.
But having Robbie at her side had offered her the best, most consistent, easiest level of protection for so long. Since the very beginning of her career. To Juliet, it was like a security guard at events like this, just as Juliet was to him. Not offering physical safety, but a shield from scrutiny.
To Juliet, this arrangement with Robbie was second nature. And she’d never had anythingrealwith anyone else, so it hadn’t ever been something she’d had to think twice about.
Darcy’s reaction was making her think twice. She’d spent the hours with her stylist lost in her own thoughts, anxiety threading through her.
She’d said it to Laura before Darcy’s tour – Darcy wasn’t a liar. Omitting her sexuality was one thing. Actively being a party to this front was another.
And after they’d done their first pass before the movie, after they’d talked to the requisite number of people and gotten their photo taken a handful of times, Darcy had wandered away from her. Leaving Juliet with Robbie on her arm, as per usual during evenings like this.
But her attention had been fastidiously centered on Darcy.
Especially given that Darcy had seemed to connect with Kerrington almostimmediately.
With Nik calling Darcy over, he was unwittingly corralling Darcy back toJuliet, and –
She narrowed her eyes, her hand tightening against her champagne flute, when she realized that Kerrington was walking over as well. She supposed it made sense, given that Kerrington was his daughter; why wouldn’t she also come over?
“Glukia mu,” he sang out in Greek, directed at Kerrington. “You were outstanding. And Darcy – I was just telling Juliet how Iknewyour voices would be exactly what I was looking for.”
Darcy smiled widely at him, and Juliet analyzed it like she was some sort of master in body language. The smile seemed very genuine, like Darcy had lost the tension, the negative emotion that had been tying her up earlier.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity. Seriously, it was…” She flicked her gaze to Juliet quickly, then back to Nik. “It’s been the experience of a lifetime, being here. I’ve never been to a premiere before,” she stated, candidly.
Offering that earnest charm she had, without even trying.
“As I said earlier: it might be your first, but it’s definitely not going to be your last,” Kerrington asserted with authority.
Kerrington Kosta was – incredibly irritatingly – a Greek Goddess in modern form. Tall, striking features, her dark, wavy hair flowing down her back. She had apresence.
And she was an out bisexual woman. So, there was also that.
Juliet brought her champagne to her mouth with such a sharp intensity, her bottom teeth clattered against the rim.
Darcy looked at her immediately, not missing a single thing, tilting her head slightly.
Kerrington also turned her attention toward Juliet, giving her a glowing smile, as she offered her hand. “Juliet, it’s nice to finally, officially, meet you. Sorry we didn’t have a chance to do this earlier when the film ended.”
It had been a bit hectic, after the applause. Conversations broke out, people were filtering in and out of rows. Darcy and Kerrington had walked off together.
She took Kerrington’s hand in hers, firmly shaking it. “Nice to meet you. Officially.”
If she’d met Kerrington a year ago, she’d have felt so differently about her. She was unapologeticallyout, so Juliet wouldn’t have ever considered starting anything with her even if it seemed there was interest from Kerrington’s side. But… she’d have at least enjoyed the attraction she’d have felt.
She didn’t enjoy how attractive Kerrington was, now. Not a single iota.
Dark hair, dark eyes, coy smile? Just Darcy’s type.
