Page 84 of California Dreaming

“Okay,” she said. “I forgive you. If you say this is small-scale, then I’ll believe you.”

He squeezed her hands. “Thank you. Thank you for being here with me. I always feel stronger when you’re around.”

His sweet words touched her heart just as deeply as his kisses touched her body.

As their limo joined the queue of other sleek vehicles, she spotted Roxy Thanton, the Hollywood reporter who had come to the house to interview Arch. She wore a skin-tight turquoise dress, her hair piled high, her lips shining with gloss. She was talking with a film director so famous that even Tessa, who was usually clueless about these things, recognized the woman.

She turned to Arch. “Even Roxy Thanton is here.”

Clearly seeing that she was still nervous, he squeezed her hand again. “I’ll tell you what my agent, Jay, told me the first time I did one of these. Just pull your shoulders back and smile. Works every time.”

She was about to protest that approach seemed a little too simple to work, but there wasn’t time for more. The limo had come to a standstill, and all of a sudden, she realized they were at the red carpet.

Someone opened the door. Arch flashed her his winning smile, then said, “Here we go,” before stepping out.

He held out his hand. This was it—she was about to walk onto her very first red carpet.

Tessa slid out of the car and into a dazzling array of cameras, lights, and people everywhere. She blinked several times, a little stunned.

When her vision cleared, she saw fans cheering and clapping across the street. They were cheering for Arch, and he gave them a friendly wave with his free hand, holding on to the cane with the other. Their cheers turned into whoops, and he waved again before turning back to her.

“You’ve got this, Tessa Taylor,” he said in a low voice and then slipped his arm around hers and led her along the red carpet.

It seemed like a matter of seconds before they were stopped by a woman from an entertainment news show. She thrust her enormous mic in Arch’s face and said, “Archer Davenport, glad to see you looking so healthy after your accident. How’s the leg? And how are you feeling about tonight’s ceremony?”

“Very glad to be here,” Arch replied with a huge smile. “My leg’s healing well, and I’m looking forward to celebrating everyone who is nominated tonight.”

“I hear you’re presenting the best picture award with Smith Sullivan. You guys just wrapped your own film. Can you tell us about it?”

Tessa stood beside him, not knowing where to look or how to act. She hadn’t really thought about what it would feel like on the red carpet, standing still while Arch was interviewed. Instead, she’d simply imagined the craze of photographers and the noise of fans while they were being ushered into the venue itself. She should have known Arch would be stopped countless times along the way and that it would take an age to actually get inside.

Trying not to feel like a spare wheel, she remembered Arch’s advice and pulled back her shoulders and smiled until her cheeks hurt. Just when she thought the interview was over and she was about to drop her pasted-on grin, the interviewer turned toward her.

“And who’s your escort for the evening, Archer?”

Before Tessa had a chance to panic, Arch said, “This is Tessa, a good friend helping me navigate the red carpet and the stairs with my cane.” He excused them both, leading her along the carpet.

She breathed a sigh of relief, glad to have the matter taken out of her hands. Arch was such an expert at knowing the right thing to say. It was an admirable quality, and she was thankful for his composure. She did her best to stay smiling and poised as he posed for a couple more photos and did three more short interviews. Then he said, “Let’s head inside, shall we?”

Arm in arm, they took the steps up to the main building. There was so much commotion and buzzy chatter as people greeted one another that it was hardly a reprieve. She’d never seen so many gorgeous and fashionable men and women in one place before. Some of them she recognized from their movies. Arch was stopped quite a few times by people wanting to say hello and ask about his injury.

As quickly as he could, Arch guided her into the grand auditorium. Once inside, she was instantly soothed by the dimmed lights and red-curtained stage. It felt a bit like stepping inside an old theater—albeit a gigantic one.

“Look, Smith and Valentina are already here.” Arch pointed to one of the circular tables to the right of the stage. “As presenters, we get prime seating, and with my bum leg, they gave us a table close to the stage.” She could almost see him measuring the half-dozen or so stairs he’d have to climb to get there.

“Do you want me to walk up there with you?” She’d do that for him, though she’d hate it.

“I’ll be okay. I’ve got my cane, and I’ll hang on to Smith if I have to.”

Speaking of Smith, he was standing to greet them. She was instantly glad to spot their familiar faces in a sea of strangers, especially Valentina, who had been so warm and friendly when they’d visited Arch earlier in the week. Tessa had been honored to hear their news along with Arch, knowing how much they wanted to keep it secret from Smith’s fans for a little longer.

The famous couple looked gorgeous and glamorous, as if they’d just stepped out of a Vogue double spread. Valentina was all Grecian goddess in a flowing, floor-length gown of emerald-green silk that drew out the green in her extraordinary eyes. The loose fit also hid any baby bump from sight. Still, Tessa thought the glow of happiness on both their faces would be a dead giveaway. Smith was handsome in a tux so classic he could have been playing James Bond.

The two men clapped each other on the back, and Valentina kissed Tessa’s cheeks. “You look incredible, Tessa. What a gorgeous dress.”

Tessa blushed, bowled over by the compliment from such a stunning woman. “Thank you. Yours is beautiful too.” Tessa wanted to tell Valentina that Arch had surprised her with the dress, but worried she’d read too much into it.

Just then, an announcement was made for everyone to take their seats. The ceremony was about to begin.

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