Page 114 of How to Kiss a Movie Star
She turns and nestles into my side, making me think flying private is worth it just for the chance to travel like this, with Audrey so close. “Hey, Flint?” she says, her voice sleepy.
“Hmm?”
“You’re going to win an Oscar tonight.”
AUDREY
I’m biased.
IknowI’m biased.
But I’ve watched all the other movies and studied all the contenders for Best Actor, and Flint’s performance is justso good.I really think he’s going to win.
His entire family has flown to California to be with us for the awards. We won’t have time to see them beforehand, and we’re the only two who will walk the red carpet, but we’ll all be together at the hotel afterwards.
Even if he doesn’t win, I’m glad his entire family is here. Flint’s had such a big year, and he’s worked so hard. He deserves to be celebrated.
The next few hours go by in a blur. We land in LA, hurry to the hotel where we meet our fashion people who get us dressed and coifed and looking red-carpet fabulous, then we race over to the Dolby Theatre for the Academy Awards. We hit the red carpet an hour later than Flint’s publicist would have preferred, but we’re here. We made it.
And I’mso proudto be next to Flint.
I still don’t love the paparazzi. I don’t love the attention and the entitlement some fans feel to the innerworkings of Flint’s private life. But ithasgotten easier. The noise has gotten quieter. And we’ve gotten really good at holing up at the house whenever we need to recharge.
We see Lea Cortez when we’re entering the theatre, and Claire McKinsey, who comes over to give me a big hug. Through it all, Flint is kind and quick to smile, but he’s quieter than usual, and he just gets quieter and quieter the closer we get to his category.
He’s told me a hundred times that it’s an honor to be nominated, and when he says it about thelastnomination, I believe him. But this time, I think he really wants it. Maybe because he knows his work on this movie—Mark Sheridan’s movie—is the best he’s ever done.
Applause fills the room as, fittingly, Matt Damon takes the stage to present the award for Best Actor. I thread my fingers through Flint’s. “You have so much to be proud of,” I whisper. “Win or lose.”
He wins.
He wins, and he’s smiling, and I’m crying, and he’s kissing me and then he’s on stage.
“I, um—” He chuckles, his words trailing off. “You know, I watched my wife win an award just this morning for the work she does as a biologist, and she was so poised and collected. And here I am, a complete mess.” The audience laughs, and Flint looks right at me. “Audrey, I wouldn’t be up here without you. I love you. Thank you for believing in me, and for givingmesomething to believe in. And for bringing Milo into this world which is truly the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed. Hopefully, we’ll get him to sleep all night someday.” He smiles. “Maybe. Before he’s five.” Flint takes another deep breath and looks toward the balcony where the rest of his family is sitting. “To my family, my parents, my siblings, thank you. You have shown me with your unending love and support that being important to the world will never matter as much as being important toyou.”
He goes on to thank Mark and the rest of the crew that brought the movie to life, then he leaves the stage.
I close my eyes and listen to the applause filling the room. Marrying Flint, watching his dedication to his craft, the seriousness with which he approaches every single role, has given me a new appreciation for actors and everyone else who works to put art out into the world.
There is so much of Hollywood that is silly and frivolous and exhausting. But this moment—this honor given to someone who has worked tirelessly to do and be the best—this isn’t silly. This is everything Flint deserves.
I can’t wait to tell him how much I love him.
Back at the hotel, I sit on the couch with Hannah and watch as the four Hawthorne brothers stand together by the window. They’re all still in their tuxedos, though jackets have come off and ties have been loosened.
Perry’s hair is starting to gray at the temples, something I’ve never noticed until now, but then, he’s closer to forty now than he is thirty. And the rest of them aren’t far behind.
I loop my arm through Hannah’s and lean my head on her shoulder. “They’re good men,” I say, and she reaches over and pats my hand.
“They are, aren’t they?”
We watch as Olivia moves across the room and joins the circle. Flint steps to the side, making room for the youngest Hawthorne sibling, and he puts his arm around her.
One of the other brothers says something that makes them all laugh—I’m too far away to hear—and Olivia rolls her eyes. Still, it’s clear how much she loves her brothers no matter their teasing.
Eventually, Flint makes his way back to me, dropping onto the couch on my other side. “I still think your award is prettier than mine,” he says.
Itispretty—opaque crystal in the shape of a tree. It honestly looks more like living room décor than an actual award.
