Page 22 of Before the Encore

She snapped out of her reverie. Let them eat it up.

“Both of you! Over here!”

Bonnie glided towards the interviewer, and Madison fixed her grin, forcing her heartrate to slow. She wasn’t used to following so many segments of advice, but she couldn’t fuck this up. She couldn’t have all her naysayers proven right.

The man stuck out his microphone, weaving in compliments, asking about Bonnie’s outfit, and her friendship with Kacey. Bonnie answered politely, showcasing her perfected smile, and Madison did as she was told—she shut up.

The interviewer nodded enthusiastically, then switched topics. “I think your fans will be very excited to see the two of you here.”

Madison shoved her hands in her pockets.

Bonnie nodded. “We’re good friends.”

“Fans are speculating.” He leaned closer, arching an eyebrow. “Are you two dating?”

Bonnie let the question sit, glancing at Madison before answering. “We are enjoying spending time together while we work on our music.”

And then she let herself be guided away to another man with a microphone, leaving the interviewer calling after them. Cameras clicked. Fans shouted from behind the barriers. Conversations buzzed all around.

“Can we get a picture?” someone else asked.

Madison stepped closer, sliding her hand onto Bonnie’s waist, the satin soft beneath her fingers. Lights flashed, her face ached, the process repeated—each with a boring suitable touch Carmen would approve of. They flowed along the carpet towards the theatre.

Questions, structured answers, smile, and photograph.

I could get used to this.

She exhaled when they stepped inside the doors, shutting most of the media outside. Adrenaline flowed through her veins.

Madison brushed her hands over her suit. “Well, I think I nailed that.”

“We’re not done yet.” Bonnie turned to her with a fixed smile in place. “Don’t drop your guard.”

“Received. I’ll cover your back in case of attack. Exits not clear.”

Bonnie sucked in a deep breath, visibly reconsidering her life choices. Celebrities and guests filled the theatre as ushers guided them to their seats. Colliding perfumes assaulted her nose. Madison couldn’t stop glancing around at the famous faces. Why Bonnie and her team made this out to be a special agent operation, she didn’t know. They should relax a little—or a lot, in Bonnie’s case.

Bonnie scanned the seats as they were escorted down the aisle. She thanked the usher, then checked over her shoulder before taking a seat, smoothing over her dress.

“Looking for someone?” Madison asked, following her gaze.

“No.”

“You should only have eyes for me.” She tutted. “Don’t let me get the contract out.”

Bonnie rolled her eyes. “Shut up, Madison.”

“That’s ‘baby’ to you.”

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Don’t make me punch you in public.”

Madison laughed, putting her hand over Bonnie’s. “Come on. Don’t be like that. How about a little kiss?”

Bonnie placed her hand over Madison’s and dug in her nails. “Try it, and I’ll bite your tongue off.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’ve got anger issues?” She tapped her hand. “A little kissing might be just what you need.”

Bonnie’s gaze narrowed as the lights lowered. The buzz of conversation reduced to a hum, everyone’s attention directing to the front where the director stood by a podium to introduce the film. She gripped the plush velvet armrests. God, this was awesome.