Not that I was planning on doing too much of this publicity shite. I still hated Hollywood and needed to get back to the next batch of chicks before they hatched.
Whatever the next question the reporter asked faded into the background.
I felt her arrival just as before. The change in the air was like a whisper telling me she was near.
I turned, and the crowd seemed to part just for me.
The shouts and flashes all faded away, and there was only her.
Kate.
She was beautiful. She stood by her car, nervously holding her clutch, chin lifted, shoulders back.
My beautiful, brave woman.
I walked toward her as the reporters lobbed questions I couldn’t hear. Her gaze darted around the crowd before finding mine. Her eyes widened fractionally, and then she grinned ear to ear. My own smile would be captured and reposted all over the internet, and for once, I was grateful. I wanted to have this moment saved forever so that I would always remember the dizzying way my heart soared to see her again.
We took several steps to meet in the middle. There was only Kate. The chaos around us faded away.
“Hi,” she said and then took a deep, steadying breath.
“Hi. You look beautiful. I’m so glad you’re here.” I tripped over my tongue to get the words out. I had so much to say and with no internal filter. Kate washere. And I was done holding myself back.
“I didn’t think—I’m so glad you’re here,” I repeated. I grinned like a fool. My eyes couldn’t find a place to settle between her gorgeous amethyst silk gown, her gleaming wide eyes, or her perfect beautiful smile.
“I wasn’t sure I would come,” she said and flicked a glance around us.
“Christ, I’m glad you did.” I longed to reach for her but kept my arms locked at my sides. “I have so much I need to say. I sent you emails, did you see those?”
“I did. I read them all in the car on the way here.” She looked up and took a breath. “I never knew. I have so much to say too. We will talk but, Charlie.” She smiled, strained and fake. “There are about twenty cameras on us right now. And maybe a hundred camera phones. Maybe we should go inside?”
“I don’t care.” I stepped closer, until the tips of my shoes touched her gown. “I just care that you’re here.” My hands reached for her shoulders before I hesitated. “But if you want privacy?”
“That’s never been the issue,” she said, her gaze moving over my face.
“I know. I’m sorry. I have—” My arms reached for her. “Can I hug you?”
“Yes.” Her cool, aloof features melted into a smile. “Actually, wait.”
I was aware of the cameras again as I froze, arms half out, still not touching her.
“Just watch my makeup. And hair. And actually, Emma’s stylist put this like shimmery lotion all over my arms. Honestly, if you touch me right now, I’ll probably leave a Kate-shaped imprint on you.”
I glanced to Emma and Harrison, who smiled knowingly at us. I looked back to Kate as she chewed her lip and then forced herself to stop.
“Kate. I don’t care.”
I scooped her into my arms. I lifted her off the ground. More wild camera flashes.
“Is this okay?” I asked.
“Yes. No. I’m totally ruining my whole look. Ah, I don’t care.” She held me tight around my neck.
Eventually, I gently lowered her to the ground, still holding on to her arms. A thousand cameras and gasps echoed all around us. I only had eyes for her.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I said.
Her throat moved. “I’ve missed you too.”
