“Go,” he said. “Before I change my mind.”
I grabbed my handbag and strode toward the entrance.
Liam was somewhere in here.
And I was going to find him.
I scurried through the atrium, my thighs rubbing together like a pair of horny plushies. If I kept this pace up, I’d be a fire hazard.
Heat gathered inside the helmet, my own breath coming back warm and close.
Where was he? Would he even talk to me after what I’ddone?
I had to at leasttry.
For a moment I had the strong, irrational feeling that security might still tap me on the shoulder and escort me gently back to reality, but nobody did.
Across the floor, a glass case held an original film prop, two men in immaculate suits leaning over it. A stormtrooper accepted champagne without removing the helmet.
So this was where the rich nerds liked to hang out.
I tightened my grip on my bag and forced myself to keep moving.
Then my eyes connected with someone.
Ohhh, fuck. Bonnie. She was looking directly at me.
I froze.
Her eyes swept over the costume, head to toe, and my heart hammered against my ribs. Could she tell it was me? I definitely wasn’t following the rules of her etiquette guide now.
Then she turned away and walked toward a group of investors in suits. I exhaled. Right. I looked like a luxury taxidermy project. She had no idea.
I ducked past her and kept moving, weaving between clusters of bodies, past a row of high stools where someone dressed as Sonic the Hedgehog was talking to a woman wearing a Lucasfilm badge.
I wasn’t sure if I was more scared about seeing Liam or being too late.
If only I knew how he felt about the letter I’dwritten.
Did he think I was mean and scheming, that I’d lied to protect myself at his expense? Did he think—God, I was going to throw up—that I hated him?
Nothing could be further from thetruth.
Ahead of me I heard controlled applause, someone finishing speaking. I recognized the voice immediately.
“Worlds don’t build themselves,” he said. “They take imagination, money, and an unreasonable amount of stubbornness. Luckily, we’ve got all three in this room.”
Laughter. I edged closer to the crowd and stood on tiptoe, peering over shoulders.
“Thank you for coming, have a brilliant night.”
Liam stood near the center of the room, just stepping back from a low stage. He was putting on his jacket and smoothing down the sleeves.
Someone said something, and he nodded. Then Bonnie appeared next to him.
He glanced at his watch.
Oh no. He was leaving. This was it—my only shot.
