Chapter 25
My pulse skitters as Mallory’s car pulls up to the red carpet.
She insisted that we take two cars so she could surprise me with her outfit.
The anticipation is killing me, especially since Brittany texted me yesterday and told me that I will die dead when I see Mallory tonight.
I don’t exactly know what that means, but I understand enough to know she’ll be stunning.
Although she looks amazing in anything she wears.
There’s also something that happened yesterday while she was dress shopping.
Something I need to tell her about, but am terrified to.
It all happened so fast that I’m still trying to get a grasp on it myself, but I know the longer I wait, the longer it’s going to eat away at me.
I’m just not sure how she’s going to react to the news.
The car rolls to a stop, and my heart thumps loudly in my chest. The driver rounds the vehicle, opening the back door as the paparazzi push closer, clicking their cameras incessantly and shouting questions as I step closer, not wanting any of them to get too close to my girl.
I offer my hand into the open door, and Mallory grasps it like I’m the only thing saving her from falling off a cliff. One leg slowly follows the other as she emerges from the car.
The corner of my mouth tilts up in a smile. Stunning isn’t a strong enough word for how she looks tonight. “I— Wow, you look—” I shake my head with a laugh.
Mallory smiles, and I hear more cameras click around us, trying to capture the beauty that is her to live for eternity in a photo. “Cat got your tongue?” she teases.
I rub the back of my neck. “What can I say? You’ve rendered me speechless.” My eyes roam over her, drinking her in. Her gown is long and muted pink. It goes off her shoulders, and she has this long piece of matching fabric around her neck and floating behind her like she’s some type of goddess.
The dress reminds me of her usual pink outfits, but more upscale with a restraint and subtlety that make her even more captivating.
Rather than make a fool of myself by trying to say all this out loud, I offer her my arm. She wraps her hand around my bicep in a death grip, and we walk down the red carpet, stopping to pose for photos along the way.
“You look pretty dapper, yourself,” she whispers as I wrap my arm around her waist.
“Thank you.” I dip my chin, trying to hide my goofy grin from the photographers. “How do you feel about all this?”
Mallory smirks. “Right now, I feel like an animal in a zoo. All eyes on me.”
We smile for another picture.
“I know one set of eyes that is definitely on you.” She spins to me, and I wink at her, trying to ease her nerves. A blush blossoms on her cheeks as the sun sets behind her. Mallory is radiant.
I might be the Hollywood star, but she is the sun I revolve around.
“Griff.” She pats my chest repeatedly, then points behind me. “It’s Rhett Hayes.” She says his name like one would say Taylor Swift or Morgan Freeman, in awe that she’s in the presence of celebrity royalty.
“There’s Hollywood’s power couple,” Rhett says in his southern drawl.
I turn just in time for him to pull me into a crushing hug.
After a few pats on the back, he moves toward Mallory, his bare arms wide.
The sleeves of his white shirt are cut off, and it’s tucked into denim.
I shake my head. This isn’t the Country Music Awards.
Only Rhett could pull off jeans and a bolo tie at a fancy red-carpet event without making anyone bat an eye.
“The woman of the hour.” He extends a hand to Mallory. I assume he wants to shake hers, but no. Rhett twirls her around, showing off her dress and giving me the perfect view of the way the fabric of her gown dips low on her back.
Have freaking mercy. She’s trying to do me in. I’m going to be gawking at Mallory in all of tonight’s photos, and I don’t even care. Some guys might say I’m whipped, but I say let the world know I’m completely, unashamedly smitten with Mallory Porter.
“I’m hardly the woman of the hour.” Mallory laughs.
“Have you seen you tonight?” Rhett tilts his head, and she blushes. If it were anyone else besides Rhett telling her this, I would be burning with jealousy, but I know how harmless my best friend is.
“Do you have a sister?”
Mallory laughs. “A brother.”
“Darn.” Rhett presses his lips together. “What about a cousin? Or a really young aunt?”
I clap him on the shoulder. “Why don’t we talk more about her available family members inside?”
“Right.” He wraps Mallory’s arm through his and walks toward the building. I follow close enough behind to hear their conversation. “I have so many questions for you.”
“Is that so?” She sounds intrigued. “I have a lot for you, too.”
I quicken my steps, coming up to Mallory’s side. “Do I want to know what these questions are?”
“No,” they say simultaneously, then burst into laughter.
Having them meet was either the best or worst idea of my life. I guess I’ll find out by the end of the night.
It turns out I’m thankful Rhett is here tonight. While the movie director is walking me and Brittany around, introducing us to many of the influencer attendees, Rhett has been able to keep Mallory company.
Anytime I catch sight of them together, they’re talking or laughing, so I’d say they’re getting along well. I don’t think Rhett would ever not get along with someone, but it feels good knowing I have my best friend’s stamp of approval on my relationship, nonetheless.
When I glance at the time, we’re only a few minutes out from when the showing starts.
I’ve never been so thankful. Small talk has never been my thing, but I’ve had to do a lot of it in this line of work.
It seems like it’s practically all I do when I’m not on set.
I’ve learned to appreciate it more in recent years as it’s helped blossom my career, but right now it feels like pure torture.
Anything that’s keeping me apart from Mallory—especially when she looks like that—would feel like torture. She deserves all my time, and I plan to give it to her. One day.
“All right, it’s almost show time.” Our director rubs his hands together.
“I’ll have you both come up on stage with me while I make a few quick remarks, and then you can sit with your guests during the movie.
I will need you for the Q&A afterward, but other than that, enjoy the rest of your evening. ”
We follow him down the aisle to the stage. Brittany leans close and mutters, “What rest of our evening?”
I cough to cover my laugh. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Once we’re on stage, our director taps the microphone.
“Hello, everyone. Thank you for attending our special screening of Accidentally in Matrimony. We’re amazed by the positive reception we’ve received.
Tonight, we’re honored to have both our leads, Brittany Clearwater and Griffin Reynolds, with us.
They’ll be available for a special Q&A after the showing.
Thank you all again. Enjoy the movie.” He waves to the crowd while Brittany and I walk to our seats in the second row.
Once the spotlight no longer shines on me, I immediately spot Mallory and head her way. Rhett extends a closed fist when I walk past him, and I bump it with mine before moving past them both to take the open seat beside Mallory.
I wrap my arm around her out of instinct.
My fingers brush her exposed back, and my pulse becomes erratic at the smooth feel of it.
We’re in public. I’m at a work event. I can’t have my hands all over her.
She crosses her legs, the movement causing the slit of her dress to open, showing off skin from her heels to her upper thigh.
I want to write mine right there—to let everyone know this gorgeous woman is spoken for.
My cheeks warm. I really need to stop thinking about her legs.
I drag in a long breath and blow it out slowly through my mouth. I clear my throat, then say, “I just remembered you haven’t seen this movie.”
“I’ve been looking forward to watching it since meeting Brittany. She’s sweet.”
My jaw drops. “Because of Brittany, not your handsome boyfriend?”
She smiles softly, looking playful. “I thought you didn’t want me to see you kiss another girl on-screen?”
If she’s going to tease me, then two can play that game. I lean across the armrest, brushing my lips across her cheek, then the soft spot between her neck and ear. “What if I told you that I was thinking of you—of our first kiss—when I was kissing Brittany’s character?”
Mallory inhales sharply. “Me?” She pulls her head back, her eyes searching mine. “But you filmed this a while after we met.”
I reach over and intertwine our fingers, the touch immediately grounding me. “That’s right.”
“Well, if you were thinking of me while filming the kiss scenes, maybe we could recreate them later.” She trails a finger along my chest where my dress shirt is unbuttoned.
I have to bite my bottom lip to keep from making any sounds. I’m using every ounce of restraint to keep from pulling her into my arms and recreating them right here, right now. Give this audience a real show.
She presses her lips to the corner of my mouth. “You know, for research purposes.”
I pull away, taking a long, shallow breath as the lights dim. “You’re lucky there are a lot of people around.”
“Why’s that?”
“I would tickle you so hard right now.”
Mallory laughs, and her eyes go wide as she slaps a hand over her mouth. People turn to look at us as the opening credits play on the screen. “I can’t believe you just made me do that.” She shoots me a look and pinches my side.
“You started it with all your talk of kissing.”
“Stop distracting me.” She presses her pointer finger to her lips, mirth glimmering in her eyes. “I’m trying to watch the movie.”
“Whatever you say, beautiful.” I squeeze her hand and turn my attention to the big screen.
I try to focus on the movie, but every small laugh Mallory makes draws my gaze to her. I know rom-coms aren’t her first choice in film, so the fact that she’s here supporting me and seemingly enjoying the movie means more than words can express.
When the end credits start to roll, Mallory leans over and kisses my cheek. “That was great.”
“You liked it?”
“I didn’t like the kissing scenes for obvious reasons. But knowing that you were thinking of me while filming them makes them tolerable.” She smiles at me. “In all seriousness, your acting was refreshing. I could tell that you put your all into becoming your character, and it shows.”
I stare into her light-brown eyes, losing myself in them.
“If I wasn’t already falling for you, that would’ve done me in.
” I press my lips together as I realize what I just said.
I told Mallory I was falling for her as casually as I talk about the weather with a stranger.
But I honestly don’t care, because it’s the truth.
I only hope she returns my feelings…and that she’ll still feel the same way when I tell her my big news.