Page 55 of Rush

“Him and a couple of buddies are dancing to YMCA. He’s the construction worker.” She dropped her head in embarrassment and Nora laughed.

After a few more minutes of walking, Emerson asked, “Feeling better?”

“A little, yeah.” Nora glanced down at Sophie, and catching the worried expression she still wore, squatted in front of her. “I’m okay, really.” Nora realized too late she should have tried to hide her anxiety in front of her better. “I just have a bit of stage fright. Do you know what stage fright is?”

Getting a negative response, Nora explained, “Stage fright is when you’re scared to perform in front of a large audience. It’s making my mouth dry and my palms sweaty, and it feels like butterflies are doing somersaults in my tummy, but it’s nothing that can hurt me. Okay?”

At Sophie’s nod, Nora smiled. “Good. And do you know what the best way of getting over stage fright is? Getting on that stage and doing what you’re afraid of. In my case, singing. So even though I’m scared, I’m going to get on that stage and sing my heart out.” Nora let that sink in and then added, “There’s something you can do to help me be less afraid though. Would you like to do that?” Sophie agreed and Nora said, “When I’m on that stage singing and I look over at you, will you wave at me?”

Sophie smiled enthusiastically.

“Oh, good because that would make me feel so much better. Now give me a hug.” Nora wrapped her up, loving the feel of her little arms squeezing her around the neck. “Thank you,” she said once she released her. “Just knowing that, I feel better already.”

“Hey,” Emerson said quietly once Nora stood back up. “Try not to look directly, but there’s a guy in the bushes to your right, taking pictures of us.”

Nora discreetly looked in the direction Emerson specified and spotted the guy right away. He wasn’t really trying to hide though he was standing in the bushes. He held a camera to his face, the lens pointed at Sophie. Damn, the paparazzi weren’t usually too interested in Sophie but Nora guessed without Linc around, she was the next best thing.

“Let’s get out of here,” Nora said, taking Sophie by the hand.

“Paparazzi always know how to ruin a good time,” Emerson huffed as they made their way back to the rear door of the venue.

“It’s almost time for the show to start anyway,” Nora placated.

Emerson glanced at her phone. “You’re right. The show starts in five minutes. Sophie and I had better find our seats. You’ll be okay if we leave you alone?”

The wing of the stage had filled since they’d been gone. Several members of the Phantoms were there—some dressed in outlandish costumes. One guy recognized her and waved. She waved back before saying, “I won’t make a break for it if that’s what you’re worried about. Besides, there’s too many witnesses now.”

Emerson chuckled, “That’s true, but I still hate leaving you alone.”

“Go,” she said, giving Emerson a light push on her shoulder. “Linc should be back here any minute.”

“Okay. Ivy got us seats right in the front row, so look for us there.”

Nora watched Emerson and Sophie disappear through the door that led to the main room before glancing around to take a better look at the performers. One guy looked as if he’d be doing magic, holding a wand and wearing a cape. Another guy in a martial arts uniform was practicing kicks. A man and woman had on matching outfits but Nora couldn’t tell what their act would be.

Colt had told them fifteen acts had signed up and they were one of the last to perform, so Nora figured she had at least another hour to stew before it was time to go on stage. Not good. She longingly glanced at the back door with the fleeting thought filtering through her brain that she really could make a break for it before anyone noticed she was missing.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Damn, she missed her opportunity.

Linc gave her a kiss in greeting, and she pried her eyes off her last means of escape. “You’ve been gone awhile. Sign a lot of autographs?”

“Until my fingers were cramped.” He held up his right hand in the shape of a claw. “See.”

Nora chuckled, taking his hand and massaging it as she wryly cooed, “Oh, you poor baby.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re not taking my injury seriously?”

She chuckled again but then turned serious. “Emerson caught a photographer snapping pictures of Sophie when we went out back for some air.”

“God damned paparazzi. They’re like fucking vultures.”

“I thought you should know so you’re not surprised if you see something in a tabloid.”

“Yeah. Thanks. They were swarming out front too. Thankfully Colt barred them from the building. Only a few credentialed news crews were allowed in.”

Nora’s stomach sank and the nerves she’d been trying to hold at bay consumed her to the point where she felt nauseous. She should’ve assumed there’d be press in attendance, after all, Colt was trying to raise money for charity and needed all the publicity he could get, but she honestly hadn’t made the connection. Not only would she be performing for the hundreds of people here, but also the millions who watched the news.

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