Virtuous(95)

“Good idea.” I withdraw my phone from the clutch Tenley chose to go with my dress and set up the selfie. “Ready?”

“Whenever you are.”

We laugh our way through a series of selfies until we finally get one that doesn’t look awful. I shoot it off to Leah.

She writes right back. You look amazing and I’ll be watching on TV. Good luck to Flynn!

“Leah wishes you good luck tonight.”

“That’s nice of her. How about sending it to your family?” he asks. “Wouldn’t they like to see what you’re up to?”

I say the first thing that comes to mind. “They don’t have smartphones.” In truth, I don’t know what kind of phones they have these days, but I do know for certain they wouldn’t care where I am or who I’m with. Not after I ruined all their lives.

Praying he’ll drop it, I stare out the window as the scenery rushes by. I love the palm trees and the bright blue sky. Addie and Tenley were talking about how it “monsooned” last year on Golden Globes day and what a challenge the rain presented to getting everyone into the theater without looking like drowned rats.

“Did I say the wrong thing by mentioning your family?” he asks quietly.

“No… I… We… I don’t talk to them.”

“Ever?”

This is the last thing I want to talk about now or ever, but I suppose it’s inevitable. “No.”

“How long has it been?”

“Eight years.”

“That would’ve made you fifteen, Natalie.”

“I know how long it’s been.” I turn to him and can see he’s agitated by this information. “Can we please not talk about this?”

“Natalie—”

“Please, Flynn. I really don’t want to talk about it. It’s part of the stuff I never talk about.” I can see him struggling with the need to pursue it further. “Please?”

“Okay, but I hope you know there’s nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you.”

“I do know, and I appreciate that more than I can ever express, but I’ve put all that behind me a long time ago. That’s where I want it to stay.”

An uncomfortable silence descends upon us as we join the line of limos heading for The Beverly Hilton. I hate that my unfortunate past has come back to haunt this most important evening for him.

I reach for his hand. “Hey.”

He smiles at me, but it’s not that big megawatt Hollywood smile I’ve grown to love so much.

“Good luck tonight. No matter what happens, I think you were the best of the best. By far.”

He leans across the seat to kiss me. “Thank you for that and for being here with me.”

“Thanks for bringing me. I’ll never forget any of it.”

“Hopefully, this is just the first of many such nights for us.”

“That would be nice.” I can’t yet conceive of how this life he has in mind for us would work, but I don’t need to figure that out now, not when there’s a red carpet to walk on the arm of the man I’ve fallen in love with.

A roar from the crowd gathered outside the hotel greets Flynn when he emerges from the limo. He reaches for me and helps me out before he waves to acknowledge the fans.

“We love you, Flynn!”

He smiles and waves some more before we proceed toward the hotel, stopping to chat with TV reporters.

One of them, a willowy blonde, greets him with a kiss on his cheek. “We’re here with Golden Globe nominee Flynn Godfrey. How are you feeling tonight, Flynn?”

“I feel great. It’s always nice to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press.”

While he talks to her, I stand by his side, taking it all in as stars I recognize from TV and movies walk by. I try not to stare like the awkward newbie I am, but it isn’t easy.

“We’re hearing that this is going to be your year. Anything to say to that?”

“I’ve had a great year. No matter what happens tonight or in the next couple of weeks, I have no complaints.”

“Who’s with you tonight?”

“My parents are here somewhere, and this is my friend Natalie.”

“Nice to meet you, Natalie.”

“You, too.”

“Who are you wearing tonight, Natalie?”

“Gucci Couture.”