Page 60 of Crossing the Line
Kate discreetly tapped her wrist signaling that it was time to move on. Xavier stepped in and whisked Waverly into the tent. Inside, it was a different kind of excitement.
Here, celebrities and their guests were corralled and released in a controlled trickle down the red carpet to ensure a steady flow of traffic for the photographers and reporters. Before their release into the wild of the carpet, stylists fluffed and dabbed, assistants snapped “candid” shots of their clients for Instagram and Twitter, and agents shooed their charges away from the complimentary pizza that had the potential to ruin a ten thousand dollar designer gown.
The excitement ratcheted up another notch when the inhabitants of the tent realized that Waverly was with them. She was immediately surrounded by well-wishers both sincere and fake.
Xavier stayed close and spotted Big Mike Mahoney a few paces away, maintaining a discreet distance from the soap actor he protected. The actor, as Xavier discovered in yesterday’s event security briefing, had a little trouble with a fan who was convinced his character was real and that she was pregnant with his love child.
Big Mike gave Xavier a nod, and Xavier threw him a mock salute. They’d run into each other at similar events in the past. It was impossible to miss the man when he towered head and shoulders over the rest of the crowd.
He took a moment to report to his team and let them know that Waverly was on schedule and in the holding tent. Everyone checked in with all clears in their respective areas, and Xavier began to wonder if Ganim wasn’t ready to make his move tonight.
Gwendolyn weaved her way through the crowd to Waverly’s side and air kissed her on both cheeks. “You look incredible. Any incidents I need to be aware of?” she asked.
“You missed Saint here almost lay out a lady in a cat shirt,” Kate said helpfully.
“I thought she might have rabies,” Xavier quipped, and Waverly laughed.
Gwendolyn ran her gaze over Xavier and gave him a feline smile. “Well, I’m sure I’ll enjoy the video of that later. I’m going to collect your parents. Phil’s babysitting them right now. See you on the carpet.” With one last look at Xavier, she disappeared back into the fray.
Waverly excused herself from a conversation and leaned in. “You did well,” she said, patting him on the arm. “The crowd signings are the worst part of things for security. They can be really unpredictable.”
“Then why do it?” he asked. God knew his heart rate would be a little more under control without worrying the entire crowd was going to jump the barrier and tear Waverly into tiny souvenirs of flesh.
Kate guffawed. “If Wave skipped the crowd, her mom would do something even more camera worthy like forcing a nip slip on camera or something.”
Xavier didn’t think she was joking.
“Any sightings of… him?” Waverly asked in a whisper.
Xavier shook his head. “All clear.”
He let her go back to her friends and fans with a reassuring nod. “It’s all good, Angel.”
The accolades came in left and right—well wishes for the movie, compliments on the dress—and while the delivery was slightly different, Xavier got the same vibe as outside. Everyone wanted a piece of her.
“Your parents are here,” Kate said, looking up from her phone. “I’m going to meet them.” She teetered off on her heels.
She returned a few moments later with Sylvia, Robert, and Phil in tow. The crowd around Waverly parted for the family reunion. “Darling! You’re absolute perfection,” Sylvia crowed as she leaned in for another round of air kisses. Xavier caught a whiff of her floral perfume.
Cameras snapped left and right, capturing the moment. Robert stepped in and gave Waverly a kiss on the top of the head. “You look wonderful, sweetheart.” They made a picture, the three of them. Robert, debonair with a deep tan and his impeccable tux. Sylvia in the glittering gold gown that clung to her tiny figure. And Waverly, the picture of youth and vitality, glowing like the star she was in the middle of it all.
She made him catch his breath.
Robert put an arm around each of them. “My two beautiful girls,” he crooned, and the crowd took it as an invitation to snap away. Everyone had a cell phone in hand to record the beautiful family.
“I heard there was an incident with the crowd.” Sylvia’s eyes glittered. “I hope someone got it on video.”
“Waverly’s fine, by the way,” Xavier announced coolly.
“Of course she is. Why wouldn’t she be?” Sylvia giggled as if he’d made a joke. “Darling! How wonderful to see you!” And just like that, their little circle opened up to include the crowd. All three Sinners were pulled in different directions. Xavier stuck with Waverly as she kiss-kissed and smiled and selfied her way through the tent. She made it look easy, natural. Waverly paused and introduced him when appropriate, giving Invictus a little bump each time. He was careful to maintain the line between security and guest, knowing that every impression was a reflection on Invictus.
She knew nearly everyone, had a grasp of names and faces, and remembered little tidbits of information about each person. She would have made a great diplomat, he thought.
Richard, an executive from Breitling Studios was a secret violin maestro. Tilda with her short red hair had starred in a popular nineties TV comedy and was slated to guest star in the reboot that fall with her niece.
He watched Kate expertly juggle the Sinners and their industry following, constantly maintaining forward progress toward the front of the tent.
Finally, their little group was on deck for release onto the carpet. The Sinners each checked their reflections in the hand mirror that Kate produced from the depths of her bag. They smoothed hairs, blotted, puckered. And, with the final prep behind them, were presented to the carpet.
