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The world slowed down
(Blakely)
At the top of the stairs I found Ainsley Potter. Together we were descended upon by reporters. We embraced, nicely for the cameras, and I kissed her cheeks. Cameras clicked, reporters jockeyed for position. Darren moved a distance away as we had discussed. I was to be in photos with Ainsley. He was not to be. We could be at the same event, we were to smile and wave, we were going to pretend as if this was an amicable divorce. Ainsley was our client and all this was on the up and up.
A reporter thrust a microphone past me and right into Ainsley’s face, asking her how she was enjoying her night.
Her answer was silly but perfect.
I glanced over my shoulder to see a camera lined up taking a photo of me with Darren and his date in the background. Perfect. I straightened my back and raised my chin.
I knew one thing: with no drama there was no story.
Ainsley wandered away with her entourage.
Darren sidled up and nodded hello with a simple, “Blakely.”
I dazzled my very best smile.
He gave me the briefest kiss kiss on my cheeks, click click click went the cameras, but then—
Over his shoulder, in the crowd...
I tilted my head trying to understand what I was seeing.
Jess asked, “Blakely?”
“I think that’s...”
The world slowed down around me.
Liam.
I smiled the first honest smile of the night.
He held up a hand and mouthed, Hi Woodshee. A wide grin spread across his face. He was a good distance away, but I was sure there was a crinkle at the corner of his eyes.
And oh my god, he was wearing a tuxedo!
I pushed past Jess, hiking up my dress as I raced down the red-carpeted steps — oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! I pushed into the crowd, shoving past the gawkers, emerging in front of him. I threw my arms around his neck as he swept me up, lifting me from the ground. He held me with his mouth pressed against my neck.
“You came? You came to LA? You came to LA for me?”
“Aye, I am a verra large idjit for havin’ nae done it before. How come I dinna come tae see ye yet, Woodshee? I love ye, I hae tae see ye.”
I pulled away, still hovering above the ground, my tiptoes barely touching, “You love me, Liam Campbell?”
“Och aye.”
And so I kissed him, a kiss full of licks and breaths and tongues meeting and my fingers wrapped in his hair and the entire world slid away and it was just me, in my consolation prize party dress, being held by Liam, the absolute love of my life.
He dropped my feet to the ground.
I brushed the front of his tux.
He said, “What were ye thinkin’ Woodshee? Ye hae broken my heart—”
I said, “I am so sorry, Liam, I got all up in my head.”
