Chapter 42 Matilda
The press event buzzed with energy, flashing cameras, and journalists huddling around their notepads as they interviewed the celebrities and the other professional skaters while waiters darted around.
After so many weeks together, everyone mingled effortlessly, their laughter ringing out above the steady, rhythmic thump of music.
Amid the chaos, I smiled, content to be enjoying the electric atmosphere.
Yet I couldn’t stop my gaze from drifting to the door, despite knowing Luca wasn’t coming.
I knew it would be ridiculous to prioritize an optional press event over his one chance to land the role.
But I had gotten used to Luca’s towering figure at my side, his dry running commentary, and how when he was near I felt more myself than I ever had.
His calm confidence had a way of anchoring me, making me believe I could be steady, too.
If you’d told me four months ago that I’d have restarted therapy and stood up to my family, I’d just have laughed. But I had, and it felt good.
Lifting the prosecco glass to my lips and taking a sip, I scanned the room for someone to latch on to.
A few people had already asked about Luca’s whereabouts, and I had answered honestly, explaining that he was at an audition. Luca had mentioned it wasn’t a secret, and Jack had already informed most of the press that he wouldn’t be attending.
I thought it was his way of ensuring I didn’t feel embarrassed and stood up, like last time.
Gathering up the hem of my white dress, I wove through the crowd to where Asha was speaking to a journalist and camera operator.
The dress shimmered with each step I took, its pale, sparkly fabric catching the light and creating a soft, ethereal glow. My lightly tanned skin contrasted with the delicate material, enhancing its radiance, while loose beach waves cascaded around my shoulders.
Asha’s eyes locked onto mine, and she waved me over. I hurried my steps, careful not to trip in my heels, and pulled her into a hug before pressing a quick peck on her cheek.
We twisted back to the camera, and the blinding spotlight focused on us. Before I could speak, Asha jumped in and gave my waist a light squeeze. “I’ll leave you with Matilda. She’s far more interesting than I am.”
My head snapped in her direction. Traitor.
She winked and blew me a kiss before sauntering off in a trail of midnight-black hair and luscious curves.
Standing in front of flashing cameras and pressing journalists would only heighten my nerves.
“Hi, Matilda. How are you enjoying your evening?” The journalist held the microphone toward me.
“It’s good, thank you.” I turned my head over my shoulder, gazing at the packed room. “Everyone looks amazing, and it’s so nice to be back together. The studio has been feeling quieter and quieter with every week that passes.”
She nodded. “I bet. How does it feel to make it to the final? If my memory serves me right, this is the furthest you’ve made it.”
“It feels incredible,” I told her honestly, but didn’t disclose that it was because of my partner that I’d enjoyed it so much. “It’s been a tiring season but so worth it.”
“And what about your rather handsome partner, Luca? Where is he tonight?”
“Did I hear ‘handsome’?” A limp arm dropped onto my shoulder as Mark’s pungent aftershave wafted into my personal space. I grimaced, discomfort slithering across my skin.
Despite the fact it would make great television, I fought the urge to knee him in the balls.
“You think I’m handsome, don’t you, Matilda?” Ugh, why was he so gross?
“We were talking about Luca.” A sardonic smile twisted my lips, and Mark’s eyes narrowed. I shrugged my shoulders, hoping to escape from under his arm without causing too much of a scene.
The journalist’s eyes flickered over our shoulders.
“Only saying good stuff, I hope, Stevens.” My heart almost burst in my chest when I heard the familiar voice. “If you could remove your arm from my girl’s shoulder, I’d appreciate it.”
I whipped around, and butterflies erupted in my stomach, drowning out the hum of the room.
He looked gorgeous.
This, I thought, is Luca the movie star. Jet-black tailored tuxedo, perfectly tousled hair, and deliberate five o’clock shadow. He carried himself with an undeniable air of confidence that radiated from every pore.
And then he smiled. I was a goner.
It was his full, dimpled smile that he reserved for the rarest occasions, and it was just for me.
That was, until his eyes returned to the arm over my shoulder. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he wasted no time picking Mark’s arm off me and dropping it like a dead fish.
Mark’s jaw tightened, his gaze narrowing as he flicked it to the camera and back. Luca raised an eyebrow and pushed his way between us. “I can take over from here, buddy.”
“Luca,” I breathed as he pressed a soft kiss on my cheek. My heart hammered at the contact, and though I knew it was for the camera, my body couldn’t discern the difference.
“Where have you been, Luca?” the journalist asked, leaving Mark to skulk off to his producer friends.
“I had an audition for a movie.” His arm snaked around my waist, hand resting casually against my hip. My skin tingled underneath his warm fingertips.
Her eyes widened, surprise splashed across her features. Jack hadn’t told her, then. “And? How did it go?”
“I didn’t go in the end.”
“You what?” The shocked words fell from my lips before I could check them. I searched Luca’s face for an explanation.
“Why not?” The journalist leaned in, eager to get the next exclusive.
“Because there was something more important for me here.” Luca’s arm tightened on my waist for a moment, his words and touch sending waves of sensation coursing through me.
But my mind couldn’t catch up.
“And what’s that?”
“ ‘Who’s that?’ would be a better question.
” He spoke the words as his gaze met mine.
“This event is important to Matilda, so it’s important to me.
I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my life, but the biggest one by a mile would be allowing the most beautiful, kind, and compassionate woman to slip through my fingers. ”
“Oh my god,” the journalist gushed as her bottom lip jutted out at Luca’s words. I scanned his face. Had something gone wrong at the audition that he now had to make up for? No, Luca wouldn’t say this for publicity.
“Luca,” I gasped softly.
“I should never have considered not attending tonight on Matilda’s arm,” he told the camera. “I mean, look at her.” He stepped back, gesturing at me. His gaze smoldered with heat and admiration as he surveyed my entire outfit.
My emotions tormented my body as they swarmed in and out, from disbelief to hope, confusion to desire and…love.
“I’ve genuinely only ever seen Matilda speechless one other time, and it was the first time I fucked up.
” He looked toward me, eyes shining, and then back to the camera before smiling, filling the air with warmth.
The journalist’s head swiveled between us, mouth slightly parted. She was also at a loss for words.
“I’m going to steal her away from you now.” He squeezed my hip one more time before releasing it. I didn’t have time to miss the lack of contact as his hand slipped into mine, interlacing our fingers.
“Luca, what are you doing here?” I gripped the arm of his tailored suit jacket with my free hand, leaning in as we moved away from the journalist. “What happened to the audition?”
My mind raced at a million miles per hour, trying to piece together the puzzle of what had happened since I’d seen Luca that morning.
“I’ll explain.” He swept one side of my curls over my shoulder, brushing his hand along my bare skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. “You look completely breathtaking, Stevens.”
“Thank you, Luca. You look incredible, too.”
He grabbed two glasses of prosecco from a passing waiter, replacing my empty glass with a full one.
“Let’s mingle for a minute and then I’ll explain.”
After an hour of distracted mingling, we were in a car, the city’s evening lights blurring into one as we headed into the countryside. I had enjoyed the evening, but relief had washed over me when Luca had whispered that a car was waiting for us outside.
Luca still hadn’t explained what was going on, and if it hadn’t been for the fact that he was so relaxed, I would have spiraled into panic mode.
Luca held my hand in his lap.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar roads and trees.
“To my house.” I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him right. We’d always spent time at mine because it was close to the studio.
He’s taking me to his house.
“Oh my god, do I get to see a real-life mansion?” I joked, hoping for a distraction.
He smiled mockingly at me but answered with a simple “Yes.”
The car stopped in front of high wooden gates. Thick trees and bushes lined either side, obscuring any glimpse of what lay beyond. The driver tapped a key fob against the intercom, and as the gates swung open, my eyes widened in disbelief.
Luca’s house was not what I’d expected.
Although darkness had settled over the evening, the driveway was illuminated by glowing lights leading up to the house.
As we approached, the grandeur of the Georgian country mansion came into full view, its massive pillars standing proudly amid walls adorned with cascading green foliage.
Garden spotlights lit up the house, casting shadows across the building.
It was more akin to a scene from a fairy tale than a bachelor pad.
“Your house is beautiful.”
Luca climbed out, not giving the chauffeur time to open his door, and came round to my side. Retaking my hand in his, he helped me out before placing a large hand on the small of my back. Shivers erupted across my skin at the contact; I’d missed his touch.
The whole evening had left my mind reeling, but stepping into Luca’s home took it to another level.