“Don’t be nervous, Archie,” he says. “It’s going great.”
He tips his chin toward the panel sitting in front of over four thousand people. Fans who slept on the floor last night just to get a seat. And that’s not counting the livestream audience that Tessa is monitoring from the office.
So yes, I’m nervous. But it’s not about the crowd, though I’m grateful I’m not the one sitting up there; it’s the fact that the studio wanted River and Bailey sitting front and center together.
I’d made sure they would be on opposite ends of the table so there would be no accidental touching, no sidelong glances for fans to turn into a compilation video. The studio had other ideas.
When I coached Bailey yesterday, we didn’t cover this scenario because it wasn’t supposed to happen. Instead, we focused on how to be around River and be warm without being romantic. Making eye contact when he speaks, laughing at something he says even if it’s not that funny. No crossing your arms, no looking at the floor. We were going for friendly and professional. Nothing for the fans to read into.
But now they’re sitting side by side, barely any space between them. Five cast members plus the moderator. There will be a million fan edits by tomorrow. I know it.
So far, Bailey’s handling things well and doing everything just as we practiced. She even laughed at something River said, and it sounded authentic.
“Next question,” Ben says.
A woman in a purple wig with a crown atop her head, wearing a black cape, approaches the microphone.
“This question is for Bailey,” she says, and I start biting my thumbnail again, at which Luke gives me a little smirk. I ignore him and continue my nervous habit.
“Sure,” Bailey says, smiling at the woman.
“So, I was wondering what inspiration you used when taking on the role of Elora,” she says.
“I love this one,” Bailey says, a genuine smile on her face.
I let out a heavy breath. Having an open forum like this without preapproved questions made this whole thing so tricky. But Bailey knows the drill: reconciliation questions are directed back to talking about the show, personal questions deflect to Elora, and anything about River specifically goes back to his talent as an actor.
So far, all the questions have focused on the show. Thank goodness.
I watch River as she talks about her inspirations for Elora. He’s looking at her intently, no fidgeting, no scanning the crowd or adjusting in his seat. He’s focused solely on her.
“River is holding his own,” I say to Luke. It’s meant to be a compliment, since I’m sure he’s been coaching his client.
Luke shakes his head. “That’s just River,” he says.
I scrunch my face at him. Is he downplaying his skills? Because I saw River when we ran into him at the gala. He didn’t look poisedor composed. Sure, he hid his feelings better than Bailey did, but he was clearly affected.
The man sitting up on that panel now looks totally at ease.
Luke just shrugs, not taking any credit. Which isn’t like him.
As the Q&A continues and nothing crazy happens, I feel my body loosening up. The tension in my shoulders releases, and I’m feeling like I can take a full breath instead of the quick shallow ones I’ve been taking.
“See?” Luke says, leaning in toward me as the crowd eats up River’s comment about how he wishes his character had more magical powers. “They’re nailing this.”
“Don’t jinx it,” I say back. I give him a closed-mouth smile, even if I’m being a little serious. I believe in curses, after all; jinxing isn’t that far of a stretch.
The next person to ask a question is a tiny woman with a pixie haircut, dressed in a full-body dragon costume. Purple iridescent scales cover every inch of her, a swishing tail dragging on the floor behind her. It’s the character Soryn from the Eclipse court.
“Hi,” she says, the sound echoing through the room. “Yeah, so I think most of us here would like to know if the reconciliation rumors are true. Are you getting back together or what?” She points toward Bailey and River.
The room goes silent for a beat, the question landing like a dropped mic. Then someone whoops, and the crowd erupts into clapping and cheering.
I give Luke wide eyes because he actually did jinx us.
“Okay! Okay!” yells the moderator over the noise. “How about another question?” He points to the other side of the room where there’s another line of attendees behind a second mic.
“Come on,” the woman dressed as Soryn says. “Just tell us yes or no.”
