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“We’re not the talent they’re here for,” I reminded her. “There are actual celebrities who will arrive soon, and to my knowledge, they enter through the underground parking lot.”
“Why couldn’t we go through there, as well?” she asked, wholly miffed about our situation.
“Because it requires an extra layer of security and we’d have to get special clearance to leave,” I explained. “And I don’t want to be stuck here.”
“You just don’t think you’re popular,” she mumbled unhappily. In a swift motion, she moved behind me and to my other side, effectively shielding me from the attendees who’d begun to clamor around us. “There are plenty of people who know exactly who you are and what you do. Plus, you’re this year’smaintech VIP. Please be a little more careful.”
“Worried that if I die, you’ll miss me too much?” I teased, toeing a line that had become a little blurred in the last few weeks.
Her cheeks darkened but she rolled her eyes. “No,” she quipped. “If you die, so does my visa.”
I burst out laughing and startled a few of the nearest security guards. “God, you’re so quick.” I chuckled, shaking my head.
“I learned from the best,” she offered with a sly grin. “This way.”
I let her steer me away from the sidewalk, and together we walked up the stairs and into the blissfully cool convention center.
The interior was already abuzz with frantic movement. Staff members and guests alike zipped every which way, becoming a slight blur thanks to the open bar styled cafe.
“Where are we?” I asked, the weight of security on my back easing now that we were safe.
“The Tech floor,” she explained, pointing to the nearest elevator. “It’s on the second floor along with the celebrity panels.”
“Ooh, do we get to fill out autograph books?” I teased.
She held the elevator doors open as I entered. “You’re very likely richer than all of them combined and you wanttheirautographs?”
The doors closed with adingand I shrugged. “They’ve been in movies,” I explained. “Money doesn’t equal fame.”
“You’ve never been interested in fame,” she pointed out.
“Touché.” I chuckled.
We reached our floor and stepped out of the elevator, this floor far more relaxed than the one below us.
“If you want,” Mia said, pulling out her iPad and checking her schedule, “you can wait here while I run the final checks on our showcase and our booth.”
“And let you have all the fun?” I scoffed. “It’s boring as hell here, let’s go.”
The ends of her lips quirked up and she nodded.
I followed after her, letting my mind wander aimlessly. I found my gaze drifting to the gentle sway of her long, dark curls, the way the ends brushed her lower back.
She’d dressed as immaculately as she usually did; her high-waisted, wide-leg indigo pants emphasized her curves, the light fabric falling off each swell. She’d tucked her white shirt into her pants and rolled up the sleeves.
So simple, and yet she looked more expensive than anyone else here.
Including me.
And yet, as I walked beside her, I didn’t feel a lick out of place in my jeans. I’d had my fair share of convention appearances and knew that, for me, comfort was key. Now, all eyes shifted to Mia, and I couldn’t blame them.
Because mine did too.
“Wow, I’m impressed,” she said, stopping with her hands on her hips.
I followed her line of sight and frowned. “I didn’t realize we were gettingthisover the top this year.”
Almost an entire corner of the arena was dedicated to DawnStar Studios advertising and branding, the various blues bleeding from one to the next. It almost looked like midnight.
