Page 135 of Broken Bridges

“About time.” Slip tucked his phone away, then ripped and ruffled his fingers through his long hair that our hairstylist had spent thirty minutes straightening. His messy, I’ve-just-got-out-of-bed look returned. So Slip. He grinned a mischievous grin. “That’s better. Let’s nail this fucking party.”

The limousine halted and we climbed out, one after the other. The cool evening breeze offered no relief from the late summer heat.

Flint took Sutton’s hand, and they led us down the red carpet. Sutton’s stunning blue dress with a rhinestone neckline sparkled underneath the bright lights.

With each step I took, butterflies skipped in my stomach. I’d done promos, and shows, and appearances before, but nothing on this televised scale. The crowds, the noise, and the flashing lights were overwhelming. Taking Tia’s trembling fingers in mine, I drew her toward me. “You’ve done this more than me. Show me the way.”

She hooked my hand behind her back and stepped in close, her chest pressed flush against mine. She lowered her voice. “I’ll show you the way to heaven later, but for now, let’s walk this damn carpet.”

Hmm. I’d be counting down the hours for this party to be over. “Deal.”

Following the guys and Sutton, Tia and I waved to the crowd behind the barricades, and weaved our way around TV cameras and the production crew. Once we reached the main media section, Flint and I had to leave Sutton and Tia to join Cole and Slip to be snapped by photographers. I couldn’t deny I loved being in front of a lens. It did wonders for my confidence.

Just as I took Tia’s hand after the fifth pose with the guys, a female reporter called out to me. “Lewis? Lewis King?”

My heart skipped a beat. She’d called my name. Not Tia’s or one of the other guys’. ME! A reporter knew my name. There was another first. I wasn’t an egotistical person, but fuck, that felt good.

Tia and I drifted over to her as a cool smile crept across my lips.

“How are you this evening?” Catherine from E-Times held her mic toward me.

Chatter from other artists and reporters nearby filled my ears. The panel lights above blazed in my eyes. Where were sunglasses when you needed them? But I had this. Be honest. Truthful. And keep a clear head. I took a deep breath and replied, “Great, thank you. It’s so good to be here, to be nominated, and to celebrate the success of other fellow artists.” I was nailing this PR shit.

Catherine glanced from me to Tia and back again. “And you’re here with the lovely Tia Tanner this evening.”

“I certainly am.” Warmth touched my cheeks and spread across my chest. It was hard to think about the band and music when Tia stood this close.

Catherine waved her finger back and forth between us. Her tone took on a curious yet cautious edge. “As in, you’re dating?”

“Yes.” I placed my palm on the small of Tia’s back. Her eyes flooded with love and anxiousness as she faced me. I gave her a reassuring nod. I had her. She had nothing to worry about. “We have been for a couple months.”

“Well, this is an unexpected development.” Catherine’s eyebrows shot skyward. “Lewis, you just broke the hearts of millions of men tonight.”

“Oh, a few have broken mine over the years. But I’m lucky—I’ve found someone very special. Tia is amazing. Meeting her and The Flintlocks, has been the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I hope everyone is happy for us.”

“I’m sure they are. You two look great together.” Catherine gave us a heartfelt smile. But then she pointed her mic at Tia. “You’ve managed to steal the heart of another man who seemed to be off-limits. How did you do it? What’s your secret?”

Tia drew her shoulders back, and sucked in a deep breath. During media training with April, Tia had responded with snappy, snarky comments ranging from ‘I’m fucking good in bed’ to ‘None of your goddamn business’ to ‘I’m just too irresistible.’

All were true, but April had suggested toning it down. “Act. Be disgustingly nice to the reporters so they won’t be able to say anything bad about you. How do you think I’ve managed to smooth over all the crap the guys have caused off-stage? I’ve taught them, hounded it into them, beaten it into their thick heads to be angels in front of the cameras.”

Whether Tia listened to her advice or not was totally up in the air. I braced myself for whatever would come out of her mouth.

But within a heartbeat, Tia curled into my side, all loving and warm. She softened her voice and packed on the charm. “There’s no secret. We became friends, then that evolved into something more. We were meant to find each other. Thank you.” She gave the cameraman a dazzling smile, then tugged me on the arm.

I chuckled, stunned at her short and sweet comment. There were no quick-witted or heated comebacks. April must have gotten to her. I loved Tia no matter what, but yeah, she’d impressed me yet again.

Before we were asked more probing questions, we moved on. “Have a good night.” I waved farewell and we continued along the carpet.

As we joined the guys who were waiting patiently for the Twenty One Pilots to finish being interviewed in front of us, I caught Tia around the waist. “Are you feeling okay? You were nice to a reporter.”

“I’m trying a new tactic.” She swiped lint off the shoulder of my jacket, then straightened my tie. “But you were a total ass-kisser.”

“That reporter loved us. And I meant every word.” I drew her closer to me. “You are special. Amazing. And the person I love. You were right. We were meant to find each other.”

Her eyes sparkled in the flashing lights. “There was no need for stories or lies or scripted comments. There was no need to act. I was just honest. And that...felt amazing.” She stole a quick kiss that made my stomach flutter. “I love you.”

“Hoy!” Cole laughed. “Keep that smooching up and you will be the headline on every gossip site tomorrow.”

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