Page 132 of He's The Reason Why

“Blake, what made you choose Piper as your love interest in the new movie?”

Cameras clicked faster.

“She’s perfect for the part, just like she’s a perfect Princess Jewel,” Blake’s said with a smooth smile.

“You’re holding hands. Are you two a couple now?”

The question was innocent enough. They’d expected it and agreed that whenever it came up, they would walk away. The important news of the day was the movie, not their relationship.

Gina, Jeremy, and Rachel all waited with Tamar and Paul at the backdrop for the group photo.

Piper tugged on Blake’s hand. “We should go.”

Blake leaned close to her. “They’ll wait. Enjoy the moment. You worked hard for this.”

They strolled slowly down the carpet, stopping to smile and wave along the way. A little girl in a red dress and blonde ponytails caught her attention. She could have been Della at that age, they looked so similar.

“I have a question I have a question!” The girl waved a card at Piper.

She let go of Blake’s hand to kneel in front of the little girl. “What’s your name?”

“Anna,” she said without a hint of shyness.

“What’s your question, Anna?” She took the card to sign it.

“Daddy says there’s no way a dragon gets to eat you. He says you’ll slay the dragon and save your sister. Is he right?”

The man next to her made an uncomfortable laugh. “That’s not exactly what I said.”

“Actually, Anna, sometimes it’s easier to save someone by making friends instead. Watch, you’ll see.” She winked at the man and gave the card back to his daughter.

“Can we get your picture?” he asked tentatively. He wasn’t a typical VIP. He seemed like an average, everyday dad.

Anna bounced up and down with the energy only a five-year-old could muster. “Can we?”

“Of course.”

The man scooped Anna up into his arms, and Piper moved into position on the girl’s other side. She could have been posing with her own father and Della. She’d done it plenty of times when they were growing up. Usually, Mattie stood on Daddy’s other side, and Lizzie snapped the photo.

Blake held out his hand to the dad. “Give me your phone. I’ll take it.”

Blake snapped off a dozen shots and the paparazzi a few thousand.

“You too, Blake!” someone in the crowd shouted.

He laughed and gestured for one of the security guards to take the picture while he jumped in next to Piper.

Blake’s arm went around her so he could squeeze in tight.

Piper smiled at the little girl and her daddy, then posed for the multitude of cameras.

“Someone send me a copy please,” she told the crowd. “I want to remember this moment forever.”

“Me too!” Anna said.

Everyone laughed.

They made their way slowly to the group photo area, taking their time to sign autographs, pose for pictures, and have a few words with as many people as possible.

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