Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(66)
“Where?” she questions, looking behind us.
My gaze follows her’s and it doesn’t take long for me to spot Nathan and Jared. Chris shouts their names, but his voice blends in with the white noise of the crowd. Both Jared’s and Nathan’s attention is caught by some photographers, but since they’re only about forty feet away, I know I can get their attention. My tongue curls and my mouth lets out a sharp whistle with a certain inflection that I know Jared will recognize. Two seconds later, Jared’s eyes bounce around the carpet and find me. I signal for the two of them to join us.
“That’s some whistle,” Amanda states.
“Thanks,” I reply. “I have a dog.”
“Which one of you is the man behind these beautiful masterpieces tonight?” she asks when Jared and Nathan reach us.
“That would be me,” Nathan announces bashfully.
“Is this you first time having your creations on the red carpet?” she inspects.
“Yes,” Nathan confirms. “Chris has been a wonderful host by offering his body as one of my muses, next to the exquisite Emma, of course.”
“How did you all meet?” she continues, clearly looking for a juicy story to tell.
“We met Chris over a year ago at Ayana’s opening night. We’ve run into him a few other times afterward and things went from there.”
“So, if these two are wearing your designs, then who are you wearing?” she sneaks in.
“Well, myself, of course,” he plays along. “Actually, we’ve got a number of us wearing my pieces tonight. Aside from my lovely boyfriend next to me, who is so graciously wearing my fashion as well, we’ve got five others, too.”
“Wow! Impressive,” she commends. “You’re telling me that you have nine different pieces being featured on the read carpet tonight?”
“Yes,” Nathan excitedly confirms. “Two women’s and seven men’s.”
“I knew that Nathan and his vision needed to be shown to the world,” Chris interjects. “What better place than right here among friends.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Chris,” Amanda agrees. “So, are you two an item?”
I feel heat rise in my cheeks.
Chris’ hand tightens on my hip. “That’s a little personal, Amanda,” he deflects.
“Come on Chris, you can’t blame me for asking,” Amanda stokes. “You’ve been single for a while and I know all of the ladies are dying to know. Besides, if you aren’t an item and Emma here is free herself, I don’t doubt there are a number of men who wouldn’t mind knowing that fact as well.”
Chris smiles and laughs lightly. “Looks like we’ll leaving you left dying to know.” Chris nods and starts leading the way for us to move to the next reporter.
“Chris, come on!” Amanda shouts after us.
“Smooth,” Nathan comments when we’re far enough away.
“Real smooth,” Jared agrees.
“Thanks,” Chris accepts.
Well, Chris is showing that he’s even more of a gentleman that I thought. I don’t know if he’s trying to impress me, which I am, but that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m still not into him like that.
After two more interviews, with the reporters asking us practically the same questions, the fourth reporter has a challenge being able to talk to us due to some noisy fans behind the rails. When he investigates to see what the ruckus is all about, he realizes that the fans are screaming more for Jared, Nathan and me rather than Chris.
“Our fans have arrived,” Jared whispers in my ear.
“You called it,” I commend him.
I did expect some people to show, but this looks like hundreds of fans and supporters. My eyes find Garrett, Sophia and Molly in the mob of people. I point them out to Jared and Nathan and they excitedly wave back and take pictures.
Jared follows the reporter and is quick to sign autographs and take selfies with those who hand him a phone. He calls Nathan, Chris and myself to join and for about twenty minutes, the four of us autograph things, some odd things, and take photos with those in the front row.
After the reporter finally gets a chance to interview Chris, because my friends and I keep directing the questions away from ourselves and toward him, Chris asks me what the whole scene was about. Jared fills him and Chris seems very impressed.
Once inside the front doors of the theater, my assumption that the photo taking and interviews are over is wrong. There are just as many if not more people to see and be seen by or with. Maggie and the rest of my friends are spotted at some point, hanging out by the bar. Maggie comes over with a glass of champagne for Chris and me and Henry offers to Jared and Nathan.
I’m pulled away from my friends further when Chris needs to mingle with some of his coworkers from the movie. He introduces me to everyone and I’m excited to meet all of them and to see Marcus, who had a role in the movie as well that I wasn’t aware. I stand smiling most of the time, only talking when someone greets me or asks a question. Chris stands close to me the entire time, keeping his hand on my back with his thumb gently rubbing back and forth over my exposed skin. On several occasions, Chris leans in, kissing me on the cheek or on my exposed shoulder. I don’t say anything or move, and when our eyes meet, I give him a half pressed smile.