Page 75 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

He doesn’t like me saying that, but it’s true.

He helped me through a tough time—even when he didn’t know he was doing it.

Just by being there.

By being... him.”

She knows the right things to say to the camera, but her words are hitting me in a way I wasn’t ready for.

I turn to the reporter and shrug, feeling a little self-conscious under the weight of Grace’s praise. "She’s being way too generous."

The questions keep coming, and we move through them as smoothly as we can. Grace fields a few more, keeping things light, but I can tell she’s starting to tire of the spotlight.

I lean over, whispering in her ear, "How about we get off the red carpet soon?"

"Yes, please."

As we finish the last few interviews, we slip inside the venue, away from the cameras and crowds. The shift in the atmosphere is immediate, and Grace exhales, finally letting herself relax.

I pull her close, my arm wrapping around her waist.

"Thank you," I murmur into her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I think this is the most fun I’ve ever had on the red carpet."

She looks up at me and winks. "Stick with me, kid, and I’ll make every day a blast.”

"I believe that,” I chuckle.

My past isn’t exactly a secret, and I know some people are still waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for me to mess things up with Grace.

But she’s never wavered. She’s always seen something in me that I struggle to see in myself.

"You don’t have to worry," she says, as if reading my mind.

She reaches up, cupping my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine.

"I’m your biggest fan. All of you.

Even the parts you think I shouldn’t."

I swallow hard.

How do I reply to that?

I chuckle, leaning down to capture her lips in a soft kiss. When we finally pull back, I take her hand again, and we make our way further into the venue.

Ready to enjoy the rest of the night — just the two of us together.

The evening passes in a blur of music, laughter, and soft glances exchanged across the room.

We navigate the attention with practiced ease, but by the time dessert is served, I’m ready to leave the spotlight behind.

As we slip out of the venue, I feel like I can breathe. Grace is leaning against me as we walk, her hand resting on my chest,and I press a kiss to her temple, savoring the quiet of the moment.

"That wasn’t so bad, was it?" she asks, glancing up at me with a teasing smile.

"It was tolerable," I reply, smirking down at her. "But only because you were there."

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile tugging at her lips. "You’re such a charmer."

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