Page 90 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
All of her. Everything there is.
I want to know what makes her happy and sad and angry at the world. What makes her stop and think. What challenges her. What inspires her. What makes her stand up and fight, and what makes her hole up and hide for a while.
I want to know all her favorites. Foods. Colors. Books. Countries.
Name it, and I want to know it.
I want the people who love her the most in the world to callmewhen they don’t know what to buy for her birthday present. Because they know I’ve done the research. They know I’ve asked every question and cataloged every answer.
It’s Audrey who breaks the kiss, and it’s probably a good thing. I’m too far gone. Too consumed by her to think straight.
“You have to go,” she whispers against my ear, her lips close.
“I don’t want to,” I say, hugging her a little tighter.
I feel her smile, even though I can’t see it. “I’m not answering to Joni, Flint.” She shifts backward and stands, then tugs me to my feet. “Come on. Get out of here. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
She walks me to the door, and I kiss her one last time. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
She grins and shoves me toward the door. “In this very fancy hotel suite, in a very comfortable bed? However will I cope?”
Joni has already gone ahead, but Nate is waiting for me outside the room, and I follow him down to the seventh floor where all the interviews are happening. Nate has a key card to get me into the interview room, but I drop a hand on his shoulder, stopping him before he can use it.
“How do you do it, man? How do you ever walk away from Joni when you feel like this?”
His eyebrows lift. “Like what?”
“Like I can’t breathe. Or think about anything but her.”
His eyes lift with understanding. “You and Audrey?”
“Joni didn’t tell you?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, but I should have guessed.”
I rub my hand against my sternum, like I can somehow soothe the ache pulsing just behind my ribs. “I don’t even know what this is,” I say more to myself than Nate.
He chuckles, a wide smile stretching across his face. “That’s love, man.” He waves the keycard in front of the lock and pushes the door open. “Better buckle up,” he says as I push past him into the room. “Your heart’s in control now.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Audrey
Istandinthehotel bathroom and stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror.
Honestly, I think everyone on the planet could look amazing if they had this many people available to help them get ready every morning.
I have been plucked and polished and shined and glossed.
And I have never felt so beautiful.
Thatcouldhave something to do with the billion-dollar gown I’m wearing. It’s even prettier than I remember. And it’s the most feminine thing I’ve ever worn. The tiny flowers woven into the lace overlay are so delicate, I’m afraid to even touch them.
“How are the shoes?” Joni asks as she steps into the bathroom. “Are you dying? If you are, there are four other pairs you can try.”
“These are great. I feel pretty steady.” I don’t have a ton of experience walking in high heels, but these have a wider block heel and they aren’t too high. Plus, they have some sort of memory foam insole that makes them really comfortable—something I didn’t expect in a pair of heels.
“Perfect,” Joni says. “Flint should be here any minute.” She looks me up and down. “He’s going to pass out when he sees you, Audrey. Seriously. You’re stunning.”
