I chewed so hard on my lips and tried to bite back my smile. It was as good as a confession, subtle to anybody but us. As much as one could be given in front of a room full of strangers. With camera phones.
My entire body must have been glowing from pure joy. “Well, let’s get back to it, shall we?” I waved the cards in front of my face.
“Oof,” Harrison said. “Bloody hell, Emma. What was that for?” Harrison rubbed at his ribcage. “Sorry I didn’t know we weren’t supposed to talk about her.”
Emma covered her mouth with long, delicate, manicured fingers. Her mouth hardly moved as she whispered, “Read the room, Harrison.”
Harrison’s brows furrowed even more. I shot another look to Charlie, who continued to watch me unabashedly. I realized I was still fanning myself with the cards, unable to tear my gaze from his. Harrison’s gaze flicked back and forth between the two of us.
“Wait,” he said, straightening.
“Harrison,” Emma warned, smile firmly fixed in place.
“I knew I recognized you!” Harrison stood, and my stomach plummeted.
“What’s going on?” Sally said in my ear and then louder, “Anybody care to explain?”
“It’s you. You’re the American. I thought you looked familiar that first night. I can’t believe I didn’t put it together sooner,” Harrison was shouting loud enough for costuming to take detailed notes.
“I-I—” I had no idea what to say.
It was confirmation he had talked to his friends about me. I was happy and terrified and anxious all at once. But no. The truth couldn’t come out by accident. It wasn’t fair to me or him.
“Cut!” Sally called and moved to the center of the soundstage.
I looked to Charlie, who remained impossibly still. This was all my fault. Charlie didn’t want anybody in his business. I had to make this right. How could I make this right?
“Harrison. Sit down!” Emma said.
“But this is great news. She broke up with that wanker.” Harrison threw an arm out to me.
Someone on set gasped, but I was too afraid to look anywhere but at the madness unfolding in front of me.
Charlie was on his feet now too. He looked around the set before coming back to me.
“Maybe we should continue with the questions?” I said loudly, holding up the cards. Not a single person acknowledged me.
“Harrison, maybe this isn’t the best time?” Emma said.
Charlie stepped forward and put a hand on Harrison’s shoulder. He lowered his voice. “Yes. It’s her. Now shut your bloody mouth before this winds up online.”
Harrison threw up his arms before mimicking zipping his lips. Charlie had just confirmed he was RC. He had just confirmed it to his best friend. I felt the world spinning too fast. I looked down at my shoes. I had never noticed how high I was off the ground? Humans were a terrible design. We could topple over so easily.
“Kate, are you okay?” Charlie tilted my head up with a gentle finger to my chin.
“I’m fine. I’m so sorry about this. Are you okay?” I asked, and he frowned.
“What in the hell is happening?” Sally asked again, growing impatient.
“It’s nothing. It’s a long story,” Charlie explained.
Sally shoved her headset down. “Did you and Miss Dubois know each other before this special?”
“No,” he snapped before looking at me. I looked back to my shoes. The denial shouldn’t hurt. He wasn’t ready to tell the whole world. It wasn’t anybody’s business. It shouldn’t hurt.
I squeezed my hands into fists. A hand brushed mine, and I was surprised to see Emma shooting me a sympathetic look from my side. Harrison came to stand at my other side, Charlie’s two best friends flanking me.
“Miss Dubois?” Sally asked me.
