Page 97 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

She’s bouncing from scared to excited, and it’s clear that at some point, she’s a million miles away from worrying about her stalker.

She’s dressed in a classic black dress that hugs her figure, simple yet elegant. The very definition of grace itself.

As we touch down and head to the premiere, her fingers find mine, squeezing tight.

When we arrive at the theater, the crowds are massive, lined up behind barricades, all holding cameras or phones, hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast.

The flashes are blinding as we step out, and the noise is a deafening mix of fans calling my name and photographers shouting instructions.

Grace takes it all in; she’s a natural at all of it. She knows when to smile, when to put on a show for the camera, and how to talk to anyone and everyone with the most perfect Southern charm.

With her hand in mine, I lead her down the red carpet, pausing to smile for the cameras. I try to keep my focus on her, to make sure she feels comfortable, but it’s hard to ignore the barrage of questions being thrown our way.

“Theo, over here!”

“You two are the perfect couple!”

“We love us some Thrace!”

Jesus, that’s a horrible couple's name.

I shoot Grace a funny look, and she hides a laugh.

“Where will the wedding be, Theo?”

“Have you heard any more about your stalker? Rumor has it he’s out of the mental facility.”

I glance at Grace, who just gives a small smile, staying calm under the pressure. I can see a flicker of tension in her jaw, but she’s handling it like a pro.

“I have not. Hopefully, I don’t.”

As we make our way down the line, an all-too-familiar voice cuts through the noise, and I feel a knot tighten in my stomach.

What in the Hell is she doing here? There’s no reason she should be at my movie premiere.

“Theo! Long time no see,” she purrs, sidling up to us with a look of feigned innocence.

It’s Lydia, a woman I dated for about a month, looking as polished and calculated as ever. Her eyes flick to Grace, sizing her up in a single, judgmental glance.

“Well, well,” she says, her lips curving into a smirk. “You’ve certainly moved on quickly, haven’t you?”

Quickly? We briefly dated five years ago.

Grace tightens her grip on my arm, but she doesn’t flinch. “Nice to meet you,” she says politely, her voice steady.

Lydia arches an eyebrow.

“Charming. Though I hope you know what you’re getting into. Theo here can be… a handful.”

I feel Grace’s hand relax slightly on my arm as she looks Lydia squarely in the eye.

“I’d say I’m managing just fine.”

Lydia’s smirk falters, but she recovers quickly, casting me a sidelong glance.

“Well, it’s a small world. Maybe we’ll run into each other again sometime.”

She saunters off, casting one last glance over her shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

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