Chapter 23 Stevie
Stevie
My stomach lurches with a swell of anxiety when the limo rolls to an abrupt stop.
We only had a few minutes. A few minutes to be real in the back of this limo, and now it’s time to put on our acting hats.
It wasn’t enough; I want more. But something tells me all the time in the world wouldn’t give me the answers I crave.
I watch as Lex straightens beside me, fiddling with his cuff links and smoothing out his silver tie. He shakes out his arms, the kink in his neck. He’s preparing. Readying himself for the character he will become.
“Ready?” He pauses to glance at me as Adrian exits the limo, a shadow moving around to Lex’s side of the vehicle. “This will be another testament to your acting chops. Think you can sway our audience into believing you’re hopelessly smitten with me?”
He said that to me once before, the day he showed up on my property unannounced. I wasn’t worried then, and I’m not worried now. I inch closer to him, preparing for that door to open.
Our eyes lock together. “Yes.”
We stare at each other. His lips twitch.
An uproar follows. Adrian opens the door, revealing a sea of people, whistling, cheering, clapping, shouting Lex’s name into the swirling lights and camera flashes.
Rudy and Castle are nearby, already here, waiting to guide us through the main doors.
Lex jumps out, a new person. The title role.
He turns to me as I’m sliding my way out of the limo on my butt, offering me a hand.
I take it, let him pull me out, and a new round of cheering assaults me.
“Lex!”
“Stevie!”
“Mr. Hall, over here!”
Rudy ushers us forward, taking the lead, as the bodyguard trails behind us, eyes on the scene.
A flock of jumping people, mostly women, are sealed off behind a velvet rope as we make our way to the entrance of the iconic ballroom after Lex takes thirty seconds to sign a handful of autographs.
Then his hand returns to mine. He links our fingers together until our palms are fully clasped, and I hold tight, plastering a smile on my face.
He’s smiling too. It looks so genuine, so effortless.
The light catches his hair just right, and that halo returns.
Crooked and misplaced but celestial nonetheless.
He doesn’t lose the mask as we enter the building and step into a whole new world. The ballroom is breathtaking—gleaming marble floors and towering ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that cast a muted glow over the room.
Round tables, covered in pristine white linens, are arranged throughout the space, each topped with towering floral centerpieces and flickering candlelight. The soft hum of conversation blends with the melodic chords of a live string quartet playing in the corner.
“Wow.” My palm is slick with sweat, still tucked inside his. There’s a gap between us, slight to some but evident to me. “This is incredible.”
“Mmm. It’s for a good cause at least.”
“What’s the charity?”
He sweeps his eyes around the room, nodding and grinning, lifting his free hand in a series of waves. “It’s mine.”
I blink up at him. “What?”
“It’s my charity. We provide scholarships and mentorship programs for underprivileged kids in the arts. Music, dance, acting—that sort of thing.”
My heart skips. But I don’t have time to respond because Rudy is bouncing in front of us like a kitten who just discovered catnip for the first time.
“Remember, keep things subtle. A little hand-holding here, some swoony eyes there.” He gives Lex a slap on the shoulder. “No making out in front of the cameras. Save that for the after-party. Or the coat check.”
My hairline starts to sweat as I wiggle my hand free from Lex’s. “I think we can control ourselves. Thanks.”
Rudy holds out his fist to me.
I stare at it for a beat before weakly bumping it with mine.
“Attagirl,” he says. “You look fucking fantastic, by the way. Did this asshole tell you that?”
“Um—”
“Anyway, I know this is new for you, but just follow Lex’s lead. Let him do the talking.”
“Rudy?” Lex interrupts.
“Yeah?”
“Please kindly fuck off.”
Rudy points a finger at him, grin widening. “That’s what I like to see. Harness that passion.” He reaches for a glass of champagne on a waiter’s tray, then swallows it down in one chug before spinning away.
I frown at his retreating back, a wall of pale peach. “He’s…”
“An idiot. Ignore him.” Lex places a hand at the small of my back, guiding me forward. As we near one of the round tables, he dips his lips to the shell of my ear. “Hey.”
Goose bumps scatter across my skin at his proximity, at his breath tickling the side of my throat. I don’t dare move.
“Cameras are on us.” I can hear the faux smile in his voice.
“Oh,” I breathe out.
We hold the pose for a moment, and I’m certain I’m stiff, rigid, ruining the shot. I’m going to have to dig deeper than I thought for this.
When Lex breaks away, I let out a breath.
Celebrities are scattered throughout the room, elegant in their designer gowns and tailored suits, as waitstaff glide between the tables, offering champagne flutes and an assortment of gourmet hors d’oeuvres.
Photographers discreetly capture little moments, and I try to act natural, maintain the easy smile.
A half hour rolls by, a fog of glitter and sequins, a cloud of vanilla and musk.
I shake hands with important people, actors and actresses I’ve revered through television screens and magazine pages.
Lex remains at my side, introducing me as his old friend from high school, the inspiration behind “Sylvia Simmons.”
I force my lips to stay in an upright position, beg for my hands not to shake. I’m a tightly banded ball of sticky tape, but I’m determined to sell this.
Not for him—for me.
He balances our physical contact with subtle gestures, nothing too overt. Knuckles brushing, his hand occasionally lifting to the small of my exposed back. A lock of eyes, blue on green.
I’m nursing a glass of champagne to ease my jitters when a familiar woman approaches. She’s not immediately recognizable, as the only two times I’ve seen her, she had mascara lining her cheeks and tsunamis in her eyes. But I know exactly who she is.
“Well, well,” she quips, gliding toward us in a red gown that looks painted on her slim frame. Long golden hair is knitted in a prim bun, a few tresses curled and framing her face. She’s tall, regal, and intimidating. “Stevie.”
Lex seems to disintegrate from my side, taking a full step away. I tip my chin and straighten my shoulders, as if trying to match her six-foot height. “You’re Lex’s mother, right?”
I outstretch my hand for a greeting.
She glances at it like it’s a piece of wilted lettuce on a fancy dinner plate while heat scorches my cheeks.
Eventually, she takes my fingers in a limp grip, glancing at the cameras and witnesses surrounding us. “Veronica Hall, yes,” she responds, her eyes sparkling, rimmed with the darkest shade of blue. “It’s such a surprise to see you here tonight. My son tells me you’ve…reconnected.”
I’d have practiced my lines, but I wasn’t given any, and Lex is no help, standing two feet beside me with his head bowed. “We have.”
“Surprising indeed.”
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” I continue. “Especially honoring such a great cause.”
“Lexington is quite the philanthropist. He has a very bright future ahead of him.”
Her eyes narrow pointedly, hinting that I’m the cruddy stain on Lex’s bright future, before she beams another magical smile for the onlookers.
I clear my throat through a pleasant nod. “He’s really made a name for himself.”
“Mm. He’s certainly flourished. His talent is something else.
” Veronica taps a long, scarlet fingernail to her champagne flute.
“Granted, he’s hired wonderfully gifted castmates to accentuate that talent.
Willa, most notably. Goodness, that girl can light up a set.
Did you see her performance in the series? It was remarkable.”
My insides pitch, and I feel a wave of self-doubt crashing over me. I know exactly what she’s doing—she’s making it clear that another woman was given the role of me, implying that I’m the poor substitute. It’s hard to keep the pain out of my voice as I murmur, “Yes, she was.”
A few other guests float into the three-person circle, taking in the conversation. Veronica grins at them brightly, tossing a swathe of hair over her shoulder. “I always thought Lex and Willa would make a lovely couple,” she adds, glancing at a woman in a tea-length dress. “Don’t you agree, Layla?”
Lex steps in. “Great seeing you, Mom. We were just—”
“She’s around here somewhere,” his mother interjects, her eyes glinting with simulated curiosity. “Shall I go get her? Lex tells me you’re interested in dipping your toes in acting. She’d be a great inspiration.”
An inspiration. The word stings more than I want to admit. My chest tightens, and my self-esteem feels like it’s crumbling under the weight of her scrutiny as multiple eyes bore holes into me. “I don’t think—”
“No need to be nervous.” She raises her hand, a cavalier flick. “I know this must be intimidating for you, surrounded by all these glamorous people. But she’s very lovely.” A finger lifts, a light bulb moment. “You know, perhaps you could take some notes from her. Learn a thing or two.”
The words cut, leaving me questioning the talent I once believed in, wondering if I’m merely a footnote in someone else’s story.
To everyone around us, she comes off as being helpful, a nurturing guidance—a testament to her acting abilities.
“I’ll take that under advisement,” I manage, my voice shaky.
I feel their watchful stares.
All of them.
Veronica’s smile broadens as she issues the final jab. “Not everyone is cut out for this, Stevie. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if it doesn’t work out.”
Humiliation burns me.
I glance up at Lex as he stares down at his glossy shoes, silent and stagnant. Rooted in place. His inaction only adds to my shame.
As Veronica’s smile transforms into a thin-lipped smirk behind her glass of champagne and I fumble for a reply that isn’t a sob, an interviewer and his crew approach, the bright lights of the cameras reflecting off polished gear.
The interviewer, a charismatic young man in a sleek suit, beams at Lex and me with practiced enthusiasm. “Howdy! I’m Nestor Crown with Starline Media,” he says, his voice carrying a friendly if somewhat insistent tone. “Mind if we steal you two for a quick interview?”
Lex’s eyes flicker to life, the tension leaving his body as he blinks back to the scene, almost like he’d been somewhere else. Somewhere far away. Pivoting to the camera crew, he places his hand on my back again, reinstating the self-assured mask. “Sure thing.”
The interviewer sets up quickly, the crew adjusting lights and microphones. “So, Lex, Stevie, we’ve heard rumors about your relationship. Care to share the scoop with our viewers?”
I peer up at Lex.
Rudy told me to let him take the lead, while Lex told me to follow his cues. Neither of them thought I was capable of selling this.
Screw that.
A new wave of conviction washes over me. This is my chance to turn the tables and prove I can handle the spotlight, that I have what it takes.
That I can truly act.
Heart racing, I erect my spine and smoosh in closer to Lex, taking him briefly off guard.
“Absolutely. We’ve been keeping our relationship under wraps, but tonight, we’re excited to announce that we’re officially a couple.
” My smile brightens twofold as I wrap my arm around Lex and yank him close. “Right, babe?”
Slowly, he cranes his neck, looking down at me, blindsided.. He stiffens to stone in my embrace as my fingers curl around his hip, nails digging. “Yeah,” he drawls, hinting a tight smile. “Right.”
His hand drops from my back.
The interviewer perks to attention, a dog with a bone. “Wow. That’s incredible news.” He snaps his fingers at one of the cameramen, gesturing him closer. “Can I ask how you reconnected? Has this been a long-distance relationship?”
I sigh, sounding dreamy. “Yes, it was. It’s been difficult being so far away. I live in Chicago, and circumstances haven’t allowed me to move yet. We’re still working out the details, but I’m hopeful things will start falling into place soon.”
Nestor grins, intrigued. “The world had no idea.”
Lex stands rigidly beside me, and I feel his tension, his disorientation. But he’s an actor, so he does what he does best—he performs.
“We wanted to keep it on the down-low,” Lex says, his wary smile turning star-studded.
He raises his hand again and gives the back of my neck a squeeze with more force than the cameras can see.
“Stevie didn’t want to detract from the show.
She wanted to keep the focus on the work, not our personal lives. ”
I stumble when he lets go of my neck and slings his arm around my shoulders, tugging me into a crushing embrace.
Laughing lightly, I continue. “It’s been a challenge, but the love and support we’ve given each other have made it all worthwhile. I’m just thrilled to be here with him tonight, sharing this moment with everyone.”
Nestor, clearly delighted with the turn of events, nods enthusiastically. “Did you say love?”
“Oh yes. We were high school sweethearts. We have a lot of history.” I peer over at Veronica as she gapes, open-mouthed, just outside the frame, her eyes blazing with hellfire.
Lex releases a croak that only I can hear before clearing it with a cough. “Yep. The love of my life right here. She’s stunning, right?”
“Beautiful,” Nestor agrees. “I think I speak for everyone when I say you two make a perfect couple. Stevie, is it true you’re a belly dancer?”
Oh God.
My face flames. “No, no, I’m actually a pianist. Lex took some…liberties there.” A floaty laugh. “Such a rascal.”
Lex beams, all white teeth and dimples. His eyes rake over me, undressing me for the cameras. “You’d make a sexy belly dancer.”
“Mmm.” Another nervous laugh slips as I pinch his side. “For your eyes only, babe.”
“Fascinating.” Nestor gifts me a goofy grin. “It sounds like you two have been through a lot together. How does this chapter in your relationship impact your future plans?”
I glance up at Lex, my eyes twinkling with the lights of a heavenly orchestra. “It’s a new beginning for both of us. We’re committed to making it work, no matter the challenges. Lex’s career is thriving, and I’m excited to be a part of it, both romantically and professionally.”
“One hundred percent,” Lex adds. “We’re all in.”
“I love it. Anything else you want to say?” Nestor inquires.
Lex snatches up my hand and tugs me away. “No, we’re good here. Thanks.” When we’re out of the camera frame, his gaze meets mine, the blue icing over, sharpening to cut glass. “I think we’ve covered everything.”