Page 103 of Guarding the Singer

He shrugged. "The cameras are for you, honey. I'm just here for you."

As they moved down the carpet, Selene waved at fans and photogs alike. She thanked the crowd for showing up and hoped that they would enjoy the show when they could get inside.

Theaters across the country were sold out in advance after early reviews came out and while they'd both seen the film before, she was still struggling with anxiety.

"Selene!! Selene!" "Hey, girl!"

Selene turned to look up the red carpet and sawtwo of her favorite ladies in the whole world. "Cali! Mary!"

Selene pulled free of William's arm and moved forward to hug them. Cali stepped back to let Mary greet her first.

Looking into William's sister's upturned face, she beamed with joy.

"Mary! How was your day?"

"Super!" She was almost jumping up and down, but Selene could see that she was vibrating with excitement. "Cali and I went to Huntington Gardens for Afternoon Tea! It was awesome!"

Selene hugged William's sister, soaking in her joy. "I'm so glad you came to see the movie!"

Mary's jaw dropped. "Like I would miss it!"

Selene smiled at Mary's contagious excitement. "It means the world to us that you came."

Mary wiggled a little in excitement. And that's when she seemed to realize what was on Selene's hand. "OMG. He asked you?"

Before Selene or William could confirm, Mary jumped and hugged Selene. "You're going to be my sister!"

Selene's head tipped back, and laughter rolled out of her throat. "I can't wait!"

Mary moved on to William, hugging her brother to within an inch of his life in congratulations for the proposal and Selene took her best friend's hand and drew her off to the side.

"Do you know how thrilled I am to have you here?"

Cali looked at her and her eyes were shining with tears. "Do you know how awesome you are? How privileged I am to have you as a friend?"

"I think it's a mutual admiration society, Cali. You've lifted me up and got me in fighting form for every uphill battle I've gone through. I couldn't have hoped for a better friend."

Selene wrapped her arms around her friend and Cali cried about how hard it was to squeeze her with a hug and not ruin her couture Maya Lin gown.

"As soon as the press tour is done," Selene whispered into her friend's ear, "you and I are starting wedding planning."

Cali's eyes widened at that. "Yes!"

"First things, first though." Selene hugged her to her side. "Will you be my maid of honor?"

Cali burst into happy tears and before Selene could open her clutch purse, William was there with a handkerchief.

Cali tried to wave the offer off, saying, "You should keep that for Selene!"

William reached into his other coat pocket and pulled out a second handkerchief. "I've got everyone covered."

As Cali tried to reach out her hand toward Mary, William's sister slipped her hand into the inside breast pocket of his tuxedo jacket and pulled out athird square. "This is where he had one for me when we lost our mom. He's pretty much prepared for everything."

The lights dimmed in the entry, and everyone moved inside for the screening.

William and Selene hung back from the crowd as they filed inside the massive theater. He lifted her hands to his mouth and placed a kiss on her ring finger before he met her stunning gaze. "I have a confession to make."

Both her brows raised, but she didn't look scared or worried. They knew how much they loved each other. What he saw in her eyes was anticipation and a bit of humor.

"Okay?"

"There's one thing I wasn't prepared for."

"Yeah?"

He gently tugged on her hands, stepping in closer to her until they were toe to toe in the half-lit foyer of the theater.

"Meeting you. It turns out that my whole life changed because of you."

William placed a gentle kiss on her lips and guided her inside to watch her brilliant debut as an actress. He knew he'd always be amazed by her for the rest of his life guarding the singer.

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