EPILOGUE 1
SUTTON
I couldn’t breathe. My heart beat so fast I was certain my ribs would crack. Underneath the table, I clasped onto Flint’s hand so tightly my knuckles ached. To my left, I held onto Maddy’s hand for more support.
This is it. My category at the Golden Globes.
My stomach was a bundle of knots, twisting and turning. Skipping and swaying.
Meredith Long, a Hollywood TV legend who’d graced our screens for more than forty years, glided up to the mic. She radiated regal elegance in a long navy gown and with enormous diamonds around her neck. “It is with a great honor I get to present the award for Best Actress in a Comedy TV Series. The nominees are: Glenda Port for Wild Canyons .”
Oh my gosh, I so love her. Brilliant actress. She’s so popular; surely she’s got this.
“Georgia Burrows for Blood River .”
Ergh! Nausea bubbled through my gut, but I kept my smile in place. The cameras could be on us at any moment. My former friend who’d betrayed me had held no remorse for her actions after sleeping her way into the role. Georgia’s on-and off-screen boyfriend had publicly broken up with her at an after- party a couple months ago and the show hadn’t done as well as expected. Rumors were swirling around the industry that it’d be axed after this third season. Karma had hit Georgia hard. I hoped she’d be okay, but my life was certainly much better without her in it.
Meredith kept reading. “Madison Reed for Vancouver Heights .”
Yay...So brilliant. I’d love her to win for her last season on the show.
“And Sutton Summers for Angels in LA .”
Smiling from ear to ear, I nudged Flint’s arm. Then Maddy’s. I was so stoked. I hadn’t been nominated for an award in years. I didn’t care if I didn’t win. Just to be recognized was phenomenal.
Meredith opened the envelope, and a dazzling smile lit her face. “And the winner is...Sutton Summers. Angels in LA .”
ARRRRGH! I covered my mouth with one hand to stop myself from shrieking. I placed my other hand over my heart to stop it escaping. My head spun. Tears sprang from my eyes.
Holy shit! I won!
The room erupted with applause. My fellow castmates—Mia, Peyton, and Ethan, at our table and the executives on the one next to us—jumped to their feet and cheered.
“Oh my God!” Maddy cried and hugged me. “Congratulations. I’m soooo happy for you.”
Slip clapped and hollered from the seat beside her. “Woohoo. Go, Sutt.”
Flint leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Congrats, babe.”
Wow!
Everything seemed surreal.
Was this really happening?
Flint stood and helped me to my feet. I couldn’t believe it. I’d fucking won!
Following a few quick hugs from my castmates, I floated toward the stage. I hitched up the long skirt on my glittery pale-blue dress and skipped up the steps. As I hit the stage, I let the satin fabric fall to the floor and glided over to Meredith standing by the lectern. Fuck, please don’t trip.
“Congratulations, Sutton.” Meredith handed me my Golden Globe. Damn, it is heavy.
“Thank you.” In a haze, I stepped up to the mic. My heart thudded so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it. My skin tingled from my head down to my toes. The crowd before me blurred behind my teary eyes. I couldn’t stop smiling as the applause died.
“Thank you. This award is truly special.” I glanced at the statuette in my shaking hands. It’s perfect. So fucking perfect. “Congratulations to the other nominees. Ladies, you’re all awesome. Please keep up your amazing work. But wow...it has been a very long time since I’ve won an award of any kind. Fifteen years, in fact. Like many people in this industry, especially women, you’re typecast, struggle to find new roles, and careers fade. You’re too old. Not the right fit. Not the right look. I’ve been on TV since I was six years old and struggled to find work when I was twenty-two. Everyone saw me as a high school sweetheart. Newsflash—we all grow up. So a huge thank you to Harlow, my fabulous agent, for encouraging me to do something daring to shock the hell out of everyone in Hollywood—not just casting directors. Yes, I went on a date with Flint Glover.”
The audience laughed and clapped.
“That night changed my life. I met my soulmate, my now husband.” I placed my hand over my heart as I met Flint’s gorgeous gaze. We’d gone from one fake date to forever. Life worked in mysterious ways. I was truly blessed. “Thank you, Flint, for your never-ending love and support. I wouldn’t be here without you. I love you with all my heart.” I stole a glance at Georgia. I wanted to sneer but didn’t. I may have done something bold to revamp my career, but I hadn’t resorted to dirty tactics to land a role like she’d done. I couldn’t deny she was a great actress, but she just wasn’t a nice person. So get a load of this! I won!
Keeping the sweetest smile in place, I turned to my fellow castmates looking up at me with praise. “Thank you to all the amazing cast and crew on this show. You make every day at work so much fun. Mia, Peyton, and Maddy, this award belongs to you too. You ladies rock. Angels in LA wouldn’t be the same without you. To Ethan, my on-screen partner in crime, Frank, our director, Shona, our producer, and all the amazing writers, thank you for bringing this show to life and giving four incredible women the opportunity to bring the funny and sometimes serious side of dating in today’s world onto the screen. You’re all so talented, and I love working with you. Finally, a huge thank you to the fans and for making this show a hit. I love you and can’t wait to bring you more laughs in the coming seasons. This really is the best job in the world. Once again, thank you, everyone.” I charged my statue into the air and hollered, “This is awesome. Woohoo.”
Underneath the glittering stage lights, I linked arms with Meredith, and we headed offstage. The minute I was behind the curtains, I jumped up and down, clutching my Golden Globe against my chest. Meredith congratulated me again before the show’s production crew ushered me toward the winners’ interview area. Cameras flashed. Lights blinded me. Reporters thrust microphones in my direction and asked questions.
Light on my feet, I savored every incredible moment.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Flint make his way through the crowd. I excused myself from the horde of media representatives and rushed over to him.
I flung my arms around him, taking care to avoid knocking him in the head with my award. I kissed his gorgeous lips. “This is so brilliant. I won. I really won.”
“You earned it.” He rested his forehead against mine. “You’re a star. Never forget that.”
I eased back and held my award between us to show him. “I would’ve never have gotten this if it wasn’t for you.”
“Yes, you would’ve. You’re determined, ambitious, talented. You would’ve dated some other loser or shone regardless who stood by your side. I’m just fucking glad it was me. That you made me go on that first date. Otherwise I would’ve missed out on getting to know you and falling in love with one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. I’m thrilled I get to stand beside you as you chase and fulfill every dream.”
“I always wanted to be on another hit show. But this...this is just incredible.” I smoothed my hand over my award. I couldn’t wait to get my name engraved on it. “I’m back on top, and it feels amazing.”
I didn’t need awards or accolades, but it was certainly nice to be recognized by industry peers for my talent and hard work. Once I’d landed the role on Angels in LA , I’d been so content and happy I could’ve burst. I worked with great people. The show was always fun. Maddy had come home. The Flintlocks had become my family, and I had Flint. Life was fantastic. This award was just an added bonus.
“I’m so proud of you.” Flint kissed my forehead. “You’ve earned that Globe. Own it.”
“I am.” I grabbed his tie and tugged him forward. “And I love you, too. Forever.”
“Always.” His smiling lips touched mine.
This was a dream come true. All I’d ever wanted.
I was an A-list star.
I’d won a huge award.
I was in love.
Married.
Happy.
What could ever top this?