Page 66 of For One Night Only

With my look taken care of, Rowan and Jenna call Riker over and start recording his measurements. He’s got them both laughing in seconds, the way he always does when he meets new people.

“Caleb looks smoking hot,” Keeley half yells across the room.

“Yeah, he does,” Valerie murmurs. I catch her gaze in the mirror, and it’s full of so much heat that I’m not sure how anyone could miss it. But it sends a thrill up my skin, the way she’s looking at me with such open appreciation. My shoulders relax a little in the jacket.

I slip behind the screen and change back into my own clothes, then place the suit on the hanger—but I don’t resent the thick, expensive fabric the way I thought I would. Getting all dressed up isn’t so bad if it makes Valerie look at me like that, and I know I can survive a red carpet with her by my side.

Maybe playing up our romance isn’t the worst thing we could do.

Press Release:Into the Dragon RealmPremiere!

A Taylor and Tyler original animated family series,Into the Dragon Realm, is landing exclusively on The Network this weekend! With a star-studded voice cast including Finn Lewis, Rose Carrington, and Kyle Harris, and introducing Josie Ramirez as Hanna the Unicorn Rider,Into the Dragon Realmwill appeal to fans of all ages who loveAvatar: The Last AirbenderandAdventure Time.

Catch the Comic-Con trailer here: thenetwork.com/intothedragonrealmishere.

Into the Dragon Realmis the most highly anticipated animated series of the year. It follows the story of Hanna (Ramirez) and Jamie the Singing Elf Knight (Lewis) as they journey to the Dragon Realm to save the dying magical forest that protects their kingdom. The series promises adventure, romance, and plenty of laughs. Add it to your streaming list on The Network!

Into the Dragon Realmis executive produced by Kate Taylor, Jordan Tyler, and Kyle Harris. The series features an original score and music production by Jane Mercer, a member of the Glitter Bats and composer for the hit space fantasy RPGShooting Stars.

The series will premiere at the Los Angeles Carrington Theater ahead of its streaming debut. The theater was recently renamed in honor of Hollywood legend Rose Carrington, who voices Orchid the Elven Queen inInto the Dragon Realm.

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Valerie

Tonight’s premiere is a welcome break from nonstop rehearsals, but it’s also my biggest test out in the world with Caleb—can we show off our relationship for the cameras while we’re still figuring out how to be together?

Last time, I hurt Caleb by hiding us from the world. Now, I’m worried I’ll hurt him by using him for press. But the media stuff is just a convenient way to keep the attention on the Glitter Bats and try to save my show. Sure, it’s a little strange going from faking it to something real, but we’ve never had the luxury of figuring things out away from the spotlight. We have a second chance at honesty. So what if we sensationalize it a little? Caleb knows how I feel about him.

He has to.

At least our friends are supportive. We’ve been discreet, but when we slip out of Caleb’s room together on the way to our morning prep and run into the others in the hallway, no one says a word about it. While we get manicures at the hotel spa, Keeley even mentions that tonight will be a good photo opportunity forCalErie—which means she’s come a long way from warning me to keep my distance.

I glance at Caleb across the salon, and he winks from where he awaits his sheet mask. It all feels so easy, falling back into feelings I tried so long to suppress. It’s been all loaded glances in rehearsal, stolen kisses in hallways, a brush of fingers in a crowded room—it’s so sweet rediscovering these moments with him. My heart beats faster with every look, my skin heats with every touch, and it’s as if my entire being missed the familiar tempo. Like he’s my metronome, and I’m finally finding my rhythm after years of drifting offbeat.

Being together doesn’t make things easier, but it does make them less daunting.

We booked the salon out for the day, so after our skin is glowing and our nails are perfect, the hair and makeup experts arrive to finish our looks. As we glam up, we take plenty of selfies, posting them to social media and tagging one another like we’re one big, happy, glittering family.

I almost believe it myself. Now that Caleb and I are back to…something, it really is feeling like old times. Long days on set forEpic Theme Songalways left me exhausted, but something about spending hours with the Glitter Bats brings me back to life. We’ve been so in sync during rehearsals that we’re practically one unit. Every song we return to is tight, and the rest of the band quickly caught on to “Daydreams Like This.”

In the bustle of red-carpet prep, I even forgot my morning social media check. With the fate ofEpic Theme Songstill unknown, I should be full of panic, but there’s a sense of calm hanging around my shoulders. If I didn’t know better, I could almost believe there was a future for the Glitter Bats after the concert.

I have to keep reminding myself that’s not what I want.

We manage a careful, mess-free meal, then head back to ourrooms to change. With deft fingers, Caleb helps me fasten the plunging backless gown that Keeley insisted will go viral. The color options were limited with my pink hair, but I think we picked the right piece for the event—a sparkly midnight-blue number with straps that cross in the back, a sweetheart neckline, and a slit up the front that almost goes to my hip.

It’s sexy enough to make me feel like a million bucks but classy enough that it shouldn’t hinder my reputation. I look like an old-Hollywood movie star. Still, my mouth goes dry as Caleb helps me ensure everything is in place, his calloused fingers brushing against the skin of my lower back.

“You look amazing,” he murmurs. “Can I kiss you, or will that mess with your look?”

I laugh. “Haven’t put the lipstick on yet, so we’re good.”

He draws me into a slow, sweet kiss, and I grasp onto his elbows to steady myself in the four-inch heels that make me a bit taller than him. Even through the thick sleeves of his suit, I can feel the curve of his biceps under my fingertips. Part of me wants to say fuck the event and fall into those strong arms.

But we need to support Jane, and we need to be seen.

He draws back, resting his forehead against mine—softly, so as to not smudge any makeup. “You ready for this?”

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