Epilogue
Jenkins attempted to glance out the darkened limo window to see all the flashing cameras. The collar of his button-up shirt rubbed against his neck, and he felt like he was being strangled. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” He tugged against the material digging into his skin.
“I think so?” Pamela pulled down at the short hemline of her dress. Against her wishes, her stylist had put her in something low cut that showed off her legs.
“I was talking to myself.” Jenkins half-laughed at his joke. “You look amazing.”
Jenkins grabbed one of her hands to keep her from ripping the delicate fabric. “If you keep doing that, you’re going to end up with no dress left to wear.” He brought her hand up and kissed her fingers. The diamond engagement ring sparkled even in the dim light of the limo.
“Is this all too crazy? What if people find out this was based on a true story?” Her green eyes flashed with worry.
Jenkins thought for a moment. Before he could respond, the divider between them and the limo driver lowered. One of Pamela’s bodyguards sat in the passenger seat.
“Ma’am, they are asking if you are close to exiting the vehicle. We are holding up the arrival line.”
“Yes, let me just take another deep breath, and then we can go.” The driver nodded and pushed the button to raise the divider back up.
“To answer your earlier question, I can’t imagine how anyone would ever think this could be based on a true story.
We changed all the names and a lot of the defining details.
Especially the ones about us.” He lowered his voice on the off chance someone could hear.
Pamela focused on his words to try and steady her breathing.
“Did you burn the letter she sent you? And the story she sent?” She looked back out the window. Cameras flashed in their direction as photographers waited eagerly for her to walk the red carpet.
“Obviously.” A twinge of sadness settled on him. After reading the letter, he had forgiven her. He even considered going to see her but couldn’t bring himself to face her just yet.
Pamela, holding Jenkins’s hand, looked out the limo window, feeling a sense of peace as this chapter of their story was ending. He had written the screenplay. She’d starred in the lead role, and they had produced the movie together.
Jenkins took a deep breath. No one is ever going to find out the truth. The film name was lit up by the marquee lights: “Shelf Life of Lies”.
Pamela turned to Jenkins with a genuine smile on her face. “Okay, I’m ready.”