Seventeen
Two years later
The lights came up in the theater on LAU’s campus, revealing a packed house. Every seat in the auditorium was taken, and even the standing room along the walls was crowded with shoulder-to-shoulder students. The host for the evening, the president of the campus film society, approached the podium set up at on side of the stage. “I hope everyone enjoyed tonight’s screening of The Way Fair , the first film from Contessina Sato’s production company Bullish Bear. Tonight, we are privileged to have very special guests for an in-depth discussion, but first I want to remind you of our upcoming events…”
The host continued to speak, but Sutton tuned him out as soon as Xavier enveloped her left hand in his, careful of the solitaire diamond on her ring finger. “Nervous?” he asked.
“Why? Just because this is the first time I’ve been asked back to my alma mater, and it’s to appear onstage before a theater full of critical film students? Piece of cake.” Her other hand trembled and she thrust it into her pocket. Not much longer until she had to leave the safety of backstage and go in front of the crowd as one of the panelists for the after-screening discussion.
He kissed her. “The film is a work of art from start to finish.”
“Thanks to Jay’s direction.”
Jay heard his name from where he stood on her other side and gave her a wink.
“Hello. I’m the one who greenlit this masterpiece in the first place,” Contessina said from behind Xavier.
“You need to keep reminding people of that, because your performance is all people are going to talk about.” Sutton was being sincere. Contessina’s star had shot into the stratosphere with The Quantum Wraith , and The Way Fair —an updated version of Vanity Fair —promised to cement her as a perpetual award contender for years to come. But Contessina’s true passion was providing others with their first big breaks, like taking a gamble on Jay as a director. Or her co-star in The Way Fair , who had been teaching acting for years but never landed a film role with more than five pages of dialogue before.
Contessina shrugged. “As long as people respond to the films we produce at Bullish Bear. That’s what matters. Not what they say about me.” She kissed the six-month-old baby being held by Juliana. “Right, sweetie? At least when it comes to work. Otherwise, you and Mommy are the only things that matter.”
“Well, I’d rather no more intruders show up,” Juliana interjected. “But that appears to have been a one-off. Thankfully.” She smiled at the infant. “Time to go out front and watch Mama do her thing.”
“That’s my cue as well,” Xavier said to Sutton, with a squeeze of the hand he held. “Break a femur, as Nikki says. She’s here, by the way. She just texted. She’s with Erik, helping him get reactions from the audience for social media.”
Erik had recently started as a high school marketing intern for Bullish Bear. Their social media had never been better—or snarkier. Sutton was so proud of him.
The stagehand signaled at Contessina, Jay and Sutton to get ready to go onstage.
Sutton clutched at Xavier’s hand, not willing to let him go until the last second. “What if the audience hates the film? I think I’m looking more forward to my parents’ visit next week than I am this.”
Sutton’s parents had accepted her choice to leave the corporate world for Contessina’s riskier venture, much to Sutton’s surprise. Of course, they then turned their concern to her matrimonial future, harping on how a marriage certificate would provide her with more security when it came to the future.
“About that. I was thinking. You’re leaving for Prague for reshoots on the new film after your parents depart. When you return, I start work on The Quantum Wraith sequel.”
“Yeah. I’m already missing you.” She gave him a rueful smile.
“But right now, we’re all together. Jay, Conti, Juliana, Erik, Nikki. We’re only missing Ilsa, and that’s because she’s visiting her sister.” Xavier was nearly vibrating.
She searched his gaze. “What are you up to?”
“I know how much stress your parents’ visit is causing. So, let’s go to Vegas. Tonight. With the people we love. We’ll get married, and your parents will lose their last ammunition.”
“Xavier, we can’t just—”
“We’ve been engaged for a year. This isn’t spur of the moment.” He kissed her and she melted. Like the first time. Like she always would.
“I know, but…” She stopped. Why was she protesting? Their schedules were wreaking havoc with planning a big white wedding. “But it’s perfect.”
He smiled at her, love and laughter lighting his face. “We can always have a formal ceremony later. But I don’t want to put off forever one more day. Life is chaotic. Let’s embrace the chaos.”
“I’d rather embrace you.” She pressed herself against him, reveling in his warmth, his strength, his confidence in her and in them, only pulling away when she heard her name coming from the stage. “Gotta run.”
“Be amazing. You always are.” He let her go.
But only for now.
They would always be each other’s happy Hollywood ending.
* * * * *