Page 100 of Lights, Camera, Love

In the corner of my eye, I see the stage manager for tonight’s premiere waving at me from across the room. He holds up his watch, taps it, and does a little jig with his shoulders.

Oh, shit—it’s time.I give him a nod, then quickly type a message of thanks to Gabriel.

I hurry back to our table and let Mum and the others know it’s time to head back outside to the red carpet. On my way to the private storeroom to change my shoes, I collide with Avalanche, whose monster-sized foot misses my bare toes by a sliver.

‘Jeez, boss,’ he says with a chuckle, his palms cupping my shoulders to steady me. ‘Nearly took you out.’

I pull him into a hug. He looks damn fine in his three-piece suit, and I’m so proud of him right now. Bliss, Snuggles, Mayday and Usher appear behind him in dressy outfits and dance shoes, each one of them looking like a million bucks. Despite having performed in a showcase, a movie and multiple flash mobs by now, their eyes are bulging with nerves.

‘Come on,’ I say to George, Cait, Sarah, Liam and Aneesh, and escort them to the storage room, where weperform a quick ‘Team Evie’ pre-show circle and raise our arms in a group cheer.

Once I’ve swapped my heels for split-sole dance sneakers, we worm our way outside, where the other guests have gathered on the red carpet, leaving a space in the middle that doesn’t obstruct the view for the public crowd. When the stage manager sees me, he drops his head in relief. He checks that we’re ready, then barks something into his headset.

With the portable stage speakers at full volume, the classic crowd-pleaser, ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ by Coolio, cuts into the air. The mob of waiting fans share stunned, open-mouthed glances.

‘This is the last time we’re gonna do this routine,’ I remind my dance students as we take our positions on the red carpet. All the cameras in the vicinity swing towards us. ‘So, shake what your mama gave you.’

They laugh over the music, and then, on the beat, we collectively drop low into a deep hip-pop. Grooving back up, we kick a leg forward, switch to the other leg, and then kick back. The crowd goes wild as we crisscross, heel-toe, pop, roll and glide—my smile so big that my cheeks hurt. My slow-motion walk, in tandem with Usher’s, draws a massive cheer, and then we both spin and do a double-dolphin-dive and rise-up combo.

Elation surges and sparkles through my bloodstream.

Thisis what I want to do with my life.

Thisis my peace.

The track comes to an end, and laughter pours from my lips as I turn and double-high-five each member of my dance crew.

Time for a glass of water and to get back into my high heels—damn.

I tuck a loose wisp of hair behind my ear and spin around to offer a final wave to the cheering fans. Then, my eyes snag on a face that makes my stomach drop.

CHAPTER 27

Kye

Evie doesn’t move.

So still, so beautiful, she just stands there, staring at me.

Across metres of red carpet and oceans of nerves, I look back at her, my heart beginning to run a marathon.

Slowly, she walks towards me, seemingly oblivious to the horde of teenagers leaning over the rope, crying out her name, desperate for a scrap of her attention.

I know the feeling.

Sliding my premiere invite into the pocket of my oatmeal suit jacket, I step my polished brown shoes towards Evie and meet her halfway up the plush red carpet.

With parted lips, she flashes her gaze down and up my body, shock crowding her features. ‘I didn’t think you were coming,’ she breathes.

I slip my hands into my trouser pockets, swallowing a swarm of butterflies. ‘I didn’t think I could, but I finallytalked my boss into letting me go at the last minute. I can be a stubborn pain in the ass, you know that.’

‘Oh, Kye,’ she says, and the next thing I know, her arms are clasped around my back, and I’m holding heaven in my arms. I turn my nose into her tightly braided hair, breathing her in.

‘My flight was late,’ I say, my voice muffled against her shoulder. ‘Did I miss the screening?’

She pulls back, returning her arms to her sides. ‘No, it hasn’t started yet, but it will soon.’

Instead of hurrying inside, though, I just gaze at her.

---