Page 113 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
We move toward our table, and I bristle at the eyes swiveling to watch us. Audrey has grown pretty used to the way people stare whenever we’re out in public. But today, I’m the one who is uncomfortable. This is Audrey’s moment. Nobody should be looking at me.
“You have stop frowning, Flint,” Audrey says. “You look miserable.”
“What? I’m not! I’m so happy to be here.”
She chuckles as she sits down, and I scoot her chair under her. “Then smile and lean down here to kiss me.”
I do as I’m told, and she hooks her hand around my tie, holding me close long enough to say, “I don’t care that they’re staring at you, baby. Just sit down and relax.”
Fortunately, our tablemates are much more enthusiastic about Audrey’s presence than mine. They pepper her with question after question about her work, and she fields them like a pro. She is gracious and charming and funny and brilliant, and I am so in love with her, I don’t think we need a plane to get us to Los Angeles tonight. I’ll fly us there myself.
After lunch, the foundation president shares a few remarks, then gives the stage to Audrey so she can present her latest findings and recommendations. I reach over and squeeze her hand just before she stands. “You’ve got this,” I whisper.
There’s a slight tremble in her exhale, but she squares her shoulders and smiles. “I’m going to be so boring,” she says. “Don’t fall asleep.”
She isn’t boring. Not even a little bit. By the time she finishes, the foundation president who presents her with her award looks so enamored, I think he might propose.
Across the room, Nate lifts his head, then pointedly looks at his watch.
I resist the impulse to do the same thing. We’ll be fine. And I’m not about to rush Audrey out of here on my account.
Another round of applause breaks out as Audrey leaves the stage and makes a beeline straight for me. “Okay, done,” she whispers, grabbing my hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
Nate escorts us out of the hotel to a waiting car, which whisks us to the airport where we climb onto the private jet we hiredjustfor today—our only hope if we’re going to make it Los Angeles in time.
Captain Salano, the same pilot who flew Audrey to New York, greets us at the door. “Busy day?” he jokes as he shakes my hand.
I grin. “It’s up to you, now.”
“Hey, is Blake single?” Audrey asks as we settle into our seats.
“I don’t know. You have someone in mind?”
“Summer, actually,” she says as Nate and Joni file past us to sit at the back of the plane.
“She broke up with the other guy?” I ask. “The attorney guy?”
Audrey nods. “And she’s totally disheartened and positive I married the last decent man on the planet.” She drops her head on my shoulder, stifling a yawn. “I swear, you and your brothers are like unicorns. How are you all so good?”
“Blake’s a nice guy. I’ll talk to him. See what I can find out.”
“That would be amazing.” Audrey yawns again. “I’m sure Summer would appreciate it.”
“You going to make it, sleepyhead?”
She gives me a pointed look. “Somebodykept me up late last night.”
Depending on the day, she could be talking about Milo, who is only nine months old and still wakes us up at least once a night. But I’ll take full credit for Audrey’s lack of sleep last night.
I smirk. “True. And I have zero regrets.”
She bumps her arm into mine. “I’ll take a nap as soon as we’re in the air. Find me a blanket?”
Idofind a blanket—one big enough for us both—and I tuck it around us, our chairs almost fully reclined.
Audrey sighs as she relaxes into the seat. “I miss Milo.”
I lean over and kiss her forehead. “Me too. But your sisters will take good care of him while we’re gone.”
