ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟝𝟠 #5
I adjusted my grip around the microphone, then I looked directly toward the press section.
My voice changed to the voice I used in court when I wanted everyone in the room to understand that I was finished entertaining nonsense.
"Hey, guys."
A few people smiled.
Although I didn't.
"It would be heavily appreciated if we stuck to Molly tonight rather than questions about my husband and my relationship."
Cameras immediately started flashing at my starting sentence.
I blinked against the sudden bursts of light.
"Molly is the reason we're here. She's safe, she's home, and I think that's what deserves everyone's attention."
I could hear someone in the audience whisper something, but I ignored it. My heart was beating faster than it should have been.
"Our marriage is our personal business. We're grateful for everyone's concern, but there isn't anything else we need to discuss about it tonight."
I lowered the microphone slightly. There.
All done. That was all I had to say.
I turned toward Cameron. He was smiling hard.
He walked toward me. I wasn't sure what he was doing until he reached my side.
He stepped towards the podium just to lean down into the microphone. "Just one more thing."
I looked at him. "What?" I whispered.
He didn't answer. His hand settled around my waist.
Before I had time to figure out what was happening, Cameron pulled me toward him and kissed me.
Right there, in front of everyone.
I froze.
I suppose I stopped functioning somewhere between his hand tightening around my waist and his lips touching mine.
There were cameras everywhere.
Hundreds of people.
People who had absolutely no reason to be witnessing this.
The darn mayor was watching!
Cameron did not care.
The kiss lasted long enough that I started wondering if he'd forgotten we were standing on a stage.
His hand remained securely at my waist while his other hand rested lightly against my arm.
There was nothing rushed about it.
I finally gave up trying to process it.
My eyes closed, and I kissed him back, my hands loosely around his neck.
The reaction from the room was immediate. Applause erupted from somewhere near the front.
I heard someone whistle. I was pretty sure the mayor let out a deep laugh. At this point, I didn't care- not because I wasn't embarrassed.
I was.
I was unbelievably, deeply, embarrassed.
But when I closed my eyes, everyone else except for Cameron and I disappeared. When he finally pulled away, I just stared at him.
My mind was completely blank.
He looked at me, then smiled, and I couldn't help smiling back.
I let out a tiny laugh. One of the cameras flashed directly in front of us.
I turned my head toward it, still smiling like an idiot. I giggled.
I wanted to disappear already!
Instead, I stood there grinning beside my husband while the entire room documented my humiliation from thirty different angles.
Cameron laughed softly. "That should stop those questions."
I guess he was right in some way. Hopefully that would put a stop to the denial of Cameron and I's marriage.
I shook my head. "You've lost your mind!"
"Yeah," He leaned slightly closer. "You were really good up there. Sounded like a lawyer."
"I am a lawyer." I said firmly.
"I know. You got that voice."
I frowned. "What voice?"
He straightened slightly and lowered his voice into an exaggerated imitation of mine.
"'It would be appreciated if we stuck to Molly tonight rather than questions about my husband and my relationship.'"
I stared at him. "I do not sound like that."
"You do."
He squeezed my hand. "Don't worry, I'll give you some warning next time I capture your lips."
"There better not be a next time." I looked at him, alarmed.
He smiled.
"There will definitely be a next time."
He laughed softly. My smile softened, then I remembered what he'd just done.
I stared at him. "You just kissed me in front of everyone, Cameron."
"I did, Dixie. You seemed to like it."
My lips curved into another smile.
Of course I did. I didn't tell him that because I couldn't let him boost his sky rocket ego.
His hand remained around my waist as we started walking off the stage. The applause slowly faded behind us.
The cameras followed us for several seconds before the attention finally shifted back toward the stage.
I kept walking beside him, still fuzzy and warm inside.
Cameron glanced down at me. "You're amazing, Dixie."
I was sure he was talking about the kiss.
I lightly hit his arm. "I still cannot believe you did that!"
"I could always do it again backstage." He teased.
I glanced at him, rolling my eyes.
The hallway seemed strangely quiet after the noise of the stage.
My fingers still felt warm around the microphone's former grip. My lips still felt warm too.
I had ended up kissing my husband after weeks in front of the entire city. The entire world, if you asked me.
I was smiling.
I really needed to get a grip.
Because if anyone asked me what had just happened, I had absolutely no professional answer for that.
~