For a beat, Damien simply looked at her. "Mrs. Stark," he finally said, as he pointed to his vacant chair at Mina's table. "Your seat."
Mina had heard the scandal story about Stark offering the former Texas beauty queen a million dollars in exchange for a nude portrait. Maybe that really was how it started between them, and maybe it wasn't, but as Nikki came closer, it only took one look at the two of them for Mina to know there was nothing contrived or fake about their commitment.
"And I think that's plenty for the warm-up," Stark said, laughing. "Now it's time for the real show."
After she was seated, Nikki explained to Noah and Kiki that she'd found a sitter. "Thank goodness for Grayson," she added. "I hate using one of the jets just for me, but I didn't want to miss your performance. You've been on the road so much we haven't talked in ages." She turned to Darryl and Mina, then flashed a wide, sincere smile. "I'm Nikki."
Mina laughed. "Believe me, I know," she said, then realized how horrible that sounded. Nikki, however just nodded toward the stage with a wry grin. "The price I pay for being married to him. Everybody knows me."
That was probably true, Mina assumed, but from what she could tell, Nikki thought he price was more than fair.
"I'm Darryl, and this is my sister Mina. Glad you could make it."
"Mina's Cam's girlfriend," Kiki explained.
"Oh! He's competing, isn't he? This should be fun."
Kiki rolled her eyes and Mina soaked up the solidarity, enjoying the company, Damien's easy banter, and the first eleven men who strolled across the stage.
"Saving the best for last," she said to the table at large.
Damien's voice boomed out, "Please welcome the final contestant for Mr. March, Cameron Reed."
Cam strolled up the red carpet looking as comfortable as if he was at home. He wore jeans and, Mina noticed, one of his button down shirts that she'd claimed as her own to sleep in since it was missing some buttons and the cuffs were frayed. Not what she would have picked for an onstage experience, but she supposed he had his reasons.
Nolan crouched at the base of the stage, his microphone on a stand and a handheld camera in his hand. She'd have to remember to check his Facebook page later tonight.
"Ladies, I know I'm supposed to say something to convince you to vote for me for Mr. March. But the truth is, I only have one thing to say and one woman to say it to."
Oh no.
Darryl nudged her as everyone else at their table turned her direction, and as they did--as Nolan pointed his camera right at her--she felt her cheeks flush.
Cam thrust his hand out, his finger pointing at her as his hips did a Chippendale's style swivel that had her cheeks heating even more. "You're mine, Mina Silver. And," he added as he ripped open the shirt to reveal his almost bare abs, "I'm yours."
Sure enough, there was another message scrawled in lipstick on his chest. This time, it said, "Mina's."
"Yes, you are!" she called out as she jumped to her feet, making the audience howl and applaud.
Then the music started, he strolled off, and Darryl smacked the table with unrestrained laughter.
She was still giddy when she threw herself into his arms five minutes later. He was shirtless, all the men were, and she got lipstick all over her blouse. Not that she cared. "I love you," she said.
After a moment, she pulled gently away. "I brought you a present."
"Really?" He looked surprised, but pleased.
She grabbed her purse, then handed him the flat object wrapped in tissue. "It was a last-minute wrapping job," she said apologetically.
As soon as he unwrapped it, and she saw the tender awe on his face, she knew she didn't need to apologize. He pulled out the framed photo of his graffiti art--Mina + Cam 4ever.
"I wanted to memorialize it," she said. "Now even if they do demolish the park, at least we really will be forever.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?" he asked.
"Tell me."
He looked around, as if trying to find the right words. Then he nodded toward the stage where Nikki and Damien stood talking close together, the love on their faces so vibrant it was humbling.