36. Epilogue 2
Quint
“Look, it’s Sav!” Aura waves at her friend and slides her arm out from the crook of my elbow to sashay over to her friend.
The shiny silver fabric dips low in the back, leaving a large expanse of smooth skin on display, and it clings to her ass in a way that has me impatient to get her all to myself.
But this is one of the most important nights of her career, and I’m gonna spend each and every one of them celebrating with her.
I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten used to this type of thing.
The red carpets, the camera flashes, the massive jewels draped around everyone’s necks and wrists.
But it’s gotten easier now that I know what to expect.
But tonight is special. Tonight, my love is going to prove to everyone that she belongs here, and she’s going to walk out with a gold statue as proof.
She keeps saying she’s not going to win and she’s just happy to be here.
But I’ve seen her and I know she’s got this in the bag.
Someone taps Sav on the shoulder, and she gives Aura one more hug before turning away.
My eyes are locked on her as she walks back over to me, a massive smile on her face, eyes glittering with excitement.
But I frown when a gray-haired man taps her on the shoulder as she’s walking by.
Her smile immediately vanishes, eyes narrowing, and I shift on my toes, ready to step in if she needs me. But of course she doesn’t.
She steps away from him, but he persists, and I move in closer.
His jowls wobble like a bulldog’s as he talks to her.
“Look, we’re working on a new adaptation of that Kit Boswell novel.
It’s got romance, suspense, a complete range.
And there’s been talk at the studio that you would be perfect for the lead.
Let me give you my card, and your agent can get in touch. ”
She tilts her head, looking puzzled. Then her frown turns into a smile, and then a laugh bursts out. Her shoulders shake she’s laughing so hard. The man pulls back, his lower lip pushing out.
Then my girl straightens her shoulders, takes the card and rips in half. Without another word, she walks away, leaving the guy with his mouth hanging open.
She wraps her arms around my shoulders and looks up at me.
“Who was that?”
Aura shakes her head. “Nobody. Come on. Let’s go get our seats.”
The theater is filling up. I didn’t think it would be this massive, but I guess they’ve got to fit a lot of talent into one room for the awards ceremony.
I duck down to brush a kiss across her neck, and she shivers. “You ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Her hand drops to my thigh with a pat that leaves behind a pleasant warmth.
“Can’t wait to see you walk up on that stage to accept your statue, Hollywood.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not going to win, but it’s been such a freaking whirlwind just being nominated.”
“Oh, you’re going to win.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. Have you seen some of those performances? There are some incredible actresses in my category.”
“I’ve seen them all, and not one even compares to yours as Willow. You deserve this.”
“Whatever.” She turns to Delaney beside her, whispering something in her ear, and they both giggle.
***
What feels like five days later, but is actually only an hour or two, her category is up. Aura grabs my hand, squeezing it like it’s a lifeline as the presenters banter about cowboys and detectives and introduce all the nominees. Her cast mates whoop and holler when her name is called.
And then finally they hold up the black sealed envelope, tearing it open with a flourish.
My heart is racing so fast I’m afraid I’m going to pass out, but I give her hand a reassuring squeeze to let her know I’m here for her.
Then finally, finally the blonde woman on stage says, “And the award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series goes to…” come on, come on. “Aurelia Lane for her role in Sterling Hearts!”
Heat spreads through my entire body. I knew it. I knew it, and it still steals my breath. Her face appears on the screen. She looks shocked, excited, close to tears.
“Go on. You have to go up.” I tug on her hand and she turns to me.
Instead of getting up, she leans in. Her hands clasp my cheeks and her lips crash into mine. Warmth floods my body, and I forget everyone else in the room. The sounds of the crowd are muted, and all I care about are her soft hands gripping my cheeks and her lips pressed against mine.
“Aura, you have to go up.” A pesky voice hisses at us, and the noise comes roaring back.
I pull away. “Right, you have to go. Get up there, accept your award.”
“Oh my god.” She laughs, scrambling up and shimmying along the aisle to go up on stage.
In spite of the delay, she gets up there without any of her fears coming true. Breaking a heel, tripping, wardrobe malfunction. I told none of that would happen, that she’d be perfect, and I’m pretty damn happy I was right about that.
The presenters tease her about the delay getting up there.
Aura says, “Can you blame me?”
“You know what? If I had a handsome cowboy like that sitting next to me, I might have missed my cue too.” The woman laughs.
Her speech is sweet and heartfelt. She thanks Maggie, the cast, her parents, even though they couldn’t make it out to LA they’ll be watching from their house.
And then her already breathtaking smile expands.
“But most of all, I want to thank my husband. You’re the light of my life, Quint.
I love acting and I love this life, but my entire world changed the moment I walked into Love Grind and met you.
You make me want to be my best self every day.
Because you are the kindest, most genuine and selfless man I’ve ever met.
You make it easy to be my best self. Plus, you gave me my first horse.
Just remember, I’ll always come back to you. ”
The crowd roars, but I don’t care about them. My entire being is filled with a happiness I never knew existed. Because so many things had to happen to bring this star into my life. And now that I’ve got her, I’m never letting go.
Obsessed with Hollow Hills ranch? Don’t worry, I’ve got more stories coming for you, but in the meantime you can catch up on Abby & Sebastian’s story in The Comeback, book one of my Lakeview Lightning college hockey romance series.
A heartbreaking betrayal. A tentative truce.
Two college seniors hoping to make a power play for a second chance at love. Read it now.