We interlace our arms and sip from champagne flutes together to celebrate the end of an incredible journey. We’re about to go downstairs for our wrap partyball,which HBO obviously went way over the top for, but liquid courage and girl time with my bestie are certainly needed before Igo downthere.
“Thank you for negotiating that Ihad to be Princess Aerin, Mickie. You’ve literally made my life.”
“Oh, you’re just saying that because you met your dream husband on set!”
I smack her arm with a pack of makeup wipes. “Don’t jinx it, Mick!”
“When Isaw the two of you read together for the first time.” She literally swoons onto a chaise lounge in the corner of our hotel room. “It was like fireworks!”
“Really, Mick?New York Timesbestseller like you, using such a basic simile?”
“Shut up! Itwaslike fireworks! Itwas like … that first bite of the lobster roll at Nobu! Better?”
I stick my pout out at her. “No! Now I’m just hungry! And they’re certainly not going to have melt-in-your-mouth sushi downstairs! Probably a dry roast!Again!” Iwhine, so tired of my native landandits food. You can take a girl outta LA, but you can’t take LA outtathisgirl, that’s for sure.
“You won’t care what’s on your plate when you’re sitting next to Ace!”
I hate that she’s right, and Ialso kinda hate who Ibecome when I’m around Ace Archer, the most exquisite, royal princely looking man I’ve ever seen. Icould talk to him if Iwere in character and so was he, but when he’s Ace and I’m Maddy, it’s like my lips, teeth, and tongue take a permanent holiday. I’m no longer intelligent and well spoken; it’s like I’m a vegetable, but with less personality.
He’s a foot taller than me, and his bone structure is like Brad Pitt made love to the entire Windsor bloodline. His dark blonde hair and blue eyes are all Icould think about for the last six months; his beauty would literally make me forget my lines! And yes, he’s the type I’ve always gone for, but at least he’s English this time and not American! That shows growth, I’m sure of it.
“He lives in London, and constantly stars in plays in the West End. He’s not going to just up and move to LA because Igot drunk the other night and told him how Ifeel!”
“Mads, we’ve all seen the way he looks at you. Like you’re a real princess, not just the Princess of Rock. He said he really likes you. Why worry?”
I grab the bottle of champagne and swig half of it down. “Worry? Me? Never!”
Kel, my on-set hair and makeup artist turned soul mate bestie number two, arrives alongside her assistant. With her soft blonde curls that match her sweetness and Bridgerton-worthy curves, Kel gives the best hugs. Like the slightly younger little sister Ialways wanted, she wraps me up and rocks me back and forth, which always helps with my nerves. They sweep up our locks into intricate updos while our faces are contoured within inches of their lives. Idon’t let my brain overthink it, but if Ilike Ace Archer so much, why do Ifeel like hiding up here all night?
Chapter 7
Maddy
Mickie finally convinces me to drag my butt down to the wrap party, and I’m starting to feel better after Iditch the champagne for a Jameson on ice. Iam hugging and thanking producers, lighting directors, and stunt coordinators in the gigantic, blue-lit ballroom, when Ifeel goosebumps climbing up my arms and down the backs of my legs. Iwhip around to check behind me, but no one’s standing there, and Iquickly realize it’s not something Ifelt causing the chill, it’s something Iheard, someoneI’m hearing right now.
“Jett?” a half whisper, half gasp escapes my glittery gloss-covered lips as Iinspect the band playing on the big stage in the corner. The musicians are all wearing cream colored, gold-accented Venetian masks that cover about three-fourths of their faces. Irealize my feet are moving without my permission until I’m standing right in front of the source of my goosebumps. Tattooed fingers, now covered with silver rings that might evenbe Dad’s,are wrapped around an old-fashioned microphone. Seafoam green eyes glow at me through the eye holes of the mask.
Jett has been an integral part of my family for the last four years, especially since Ihad to leave home for six months. My initial, sassy annoyance at the rockstar had dissolved completely and morphed into an indebted gratitude that Ifeel like tonight would be the perfect time to express. Ifeel the warmth of knowing how Jett has stepped up in my absence to be there for my parents when Icouldn’t be, and suddenly wish Icould explain my appreciation to him.
But he’s literally in the middle of a song, and not justanysong. He’s singingFade Into Youby Mazzy Star, one of my favorite songs since Iwas five. The song Iwould play on repeat while dreaming of being whisked around to it on a dance floor a lot like this one, by a man that, in my head, looked alotlike Ace Archer.
“Mickie!” Iyelp as she floats over to me. Ilower my voice, “What’s Jett doing here? Iknow you had something to do with this!”
She grins, “Surprise! Isn’t he dreamy? Isn’t this song?”
“Mickie! Details, please!” Even though we’ve spent plenty of time together as some sort of strange family unit, and I’m ready to admit how wonderful Jett has been to us, I’m not sure I’m ready to call him – the high-energy clown I’ve known for so long –dreamy, yet. But Iwill say this is the calmest I've ever seen him.
“Donna was planning this event, got a bit stressed, and asked me to take over the entertainment. You know I’ve been listening to Jett’s new album on repeat, and he was the first person to pop into my head. Imagine my shock when Isent him the date and he said he would already be in the area for his gran’s birthday and wouldn’t miss our big party for the world. Isn’t he sweet?”
I turn back to Jett, and it’s odd, like Mickie disappears completely, and all Ican see is Jett, who croons in frankly the prettiest way I’ve ever heard him sing. As he locks eyes with me again, the oddest thing happens. Istart to shake and shiver. There’s no grit and growl in his vocals tonight. I’m not used to this, but really, they’re smooth as butter, and Iget lost in the sweetness of his sound, his stony eye contact. He leans the microphone towards me, and Ifeel nearly hypnotized by him singing this song like that, like he’s calling me, pulling me into some sort of trance.
I jump as Ifeel cool fingers touch my bare shoulder. Iwhip around immediately to see Mick did wander off and there's someone devastatingly handsome in her place. “Ace!”
“Hello, Maddy. Sorry, Ididn’t mean to scare you. Iwas wondering if you might … care to dance?”
The meticulously styled, smoothed to the side hair and trim tux are so very Ace, and the way he saysdancemakes me want to say yes to everything he asks for, for the rest of time.
“Of course,” Isay, turning back to flash Jett a two-handed heart sign before letting Ace whisk me around the dance floor.
