“It’s Chris’s home city,” he says, “and we both called in some favors from some big names. We want the last US event to be huge.”
“It’s like a red-carpet event.”
“Don’t be nervous,” he says, kissing my hand. “You’re going to steal the show in that dress.” He leans in and kisses my neck. The door beside him opens and he starts to get out. I catch his arm. “We’re going to be photographed.”
“Own it, baby. I talked to Blake about this. Act like you have nothing to hide. Whoever knows who you are, already knows. And I promise you every Hollywood star here has something to hide. Or we can go around back and sneak in.”
Sneak in, I repeat in my mind.
Hide.
No.
“No,” I say. “Let’s go.”
He smiles his approval before he exits the vehicle and helps me out. Flashes go off immediately and Kace’s hand settles at my hip, fitting me snuggly to his side. We start walking and Savage and Adrian are right beside us, leaving the SUV for someone else to deal with. Microphones are shoved at Kace and questions asked about me, but he doesn’t respond to anyone.
Once we’re inside the building, calmness ensues. We check our coats, and Kace is left in his T-shirt and tattoos. We start walking a grand hall with arched ceilings, and walls covered in historic paintings, and I tease him about his rock star image. He slides an arm around me. “I’m wearing a tuxedo in Paris.”
“Really? Now I have to go.”
“That’s what I want to hear.”
“Let’s find the food, baby,” Kace says. “I know I said I wasn’t hungry earlier, but I changed my mind.”
“Me, too,” I say, “but I don’t think real humans eat food around movie stars.”
“It’s the movie stars that don’t eat, at least not if they plan to keep it down.”
I crinkle my nose. “That was a bad joke.”
“Bad jokes are good jokes,” he says with a wink as we step into a room with a domed ceiling etched in ancient images. Fancy dresses and tuxedos dot our path as do waiters with food trays. Kace grabs an egg salad sandwich for both of us and I wave him off. I just can’t eat here, but he sure can. He inhales both. “You were smart to pass,” he says after he swallows the last bite. “They sucked, they were tiny, and I need energy. Look for the chocolate and you’ll find Chris and Sara. Well Sara, but where Sara is, Chris is.”
We both start scanning the room and sure enough, I find a chocolate fountain and Sara is there. “And there she is,” I say, pointing.
“And there’s Chris, right by her side.”
And just like Kace, he’s in jeans and a T-shirt with boots. Two rebels in a crowd of tuxedos. I kind of love it.
“Come,” Kace says, attaching my hand to his elbow as we start maneuvering through the more densely populated areas of the room to make our way to Chris and Sara. Every time Kace reaches for another snack, which is often, someone is in front of him, trying to talk to him. People love him and I can’t help but feel pride. We are finally just this close to Chris and Sara when a distinguished elderly man with solid gray hair intercepts us and he is just gushing over Kace. Ten minutes later, he continues gushing and Kace is graciously interacting with him.
Chris appears beside us and pats the man’s shoulder. “Charlie, if you don’t let me feed him, he might pass out while he performs.”
“Oh my,” Charlie says. “I didn’t mean to delay your preparation for your performance. Energy matters. You go, son. I can’t wait to watch you perform.” Charlie hurries away and now Kace slaps Chris on the back. “I owe you again.”
“If we hit our goal tonight,” Chris says, “you owe me nothing.”
“I need food if that’s going to happen.”
“I figured,” Chris says, “You were eyeing the waiters like you could eat an arm.” He greets me and motions us toward Sara, who is still guarding the chocolate fountain.
Kace’s arm slides around me and we join Sara as she finishes off a cake pop. “I couldn’t help myself,” she says. “You should try one of all of them. They’re so good and,” she gives me a once over, “you, Aria, look lovely.” She sets her plate down on a table.
She herself is in a red dress that hugs her figure to her knees. “And you look stunning.”
“Thank you,” she says and her eyes catch on my bracelet. “Oh wow. That’s stunning.” She captures my hand and flattens it on hers to view my wrist. “I love it.”
“Kace gave it to me.”
“He did good.” She eyes Kace. “You did good.” She glances at Chris. “It reminds me of the daisies in some of the regions of Italy.” Her attention returns to me. “I loved the daisies there. Have you seen them?”