Behind the Scenes

Chapter Thirteen

The movie, of course, is excellent. Not to toot my own horn; I genuinely believe its excellence has little to do with the source material. Seeing the final cut and knowing the work everyone put into it is overwhelming. I choke back tears as I rise with the rest of the audience in a standing ovation while the credits roll.

          The cast and Cath are seated several rows ahead of me. My gaze is fixed on the back of Joe's head as he, Maya, and little Dominic stand to wave and nod. Joe looks first to one side and then the other before turning to let his eyes roam over the crowd. Finally, they find mine. His lips part in a smile that tugs at the invisible tether I feel between us. I clap my hands harder and wink at him, hoping to convey how proud and in awe I am of him without the use of words. He flushes and his grin pulls wider, splitting his face from ear to ear.

          Maya puts her hand on his shoulder, but Joe takes his time breaking eye contact. When he does, everything comes crashing in at once: the crush of people around me filling the room with the smells of sweat, expensive cologne, and even more expensive perfume, and the sudden buzz of voices as the clapping gives way to talking and the sounds of cell phones coming back to life.

          "That was great," Deandra half-shouts over the din as we make our way out of the auditorium. "I had no idea how sad it would be!"

          I'm not really sure how to respond to that, since of course I already knew, so I don't say anything. She follows me following the crowd out to the lobby, where I stretch on my tip-toes in the hope of catching Joe, but I don't see him.

          "So, back to the hotel, or are you going to the after party?" Deandra asks, her eyes already glued to her phone.

          "After-party," I say. I sink back down onto my heels, giving up the search.

          Deandra stops texting to give me a surprised once-over.

          "Really? I didn't take you as a party girl."

          Without thinking, I roll my eyes. Deandra raises her eyebrows, and for a second I panic, thinking I'm about to be told off. Instead, she nods once and says, "Okay, then. Limo's out front. I'll see you tomorrow."

          She disappears into the crowd and I exhale a sigh of relief. I pull out my phone to check my messages but of course, with everyone so busy, I have none. I take a deep breath to steel myself before navigating the throng and head toward the front doors. 

          Deandra's not entirely wrong; I'm only a party girl on occasion, like birthdays or the fun holidays, such as Halloween. Knowing I might get a few moments alone with Joe despite the craziness propels me forward. I make my way through the crowded, humid lobby and step out into dusk's purple glow. 

          It takes a second for my eyes to adjust. As I scan the lineup of limos waiting to take us to the after-party, someone calling my name cuts through the noise. My eyes roam over the people scattered between me and the street. There's a shift in the crowd at the base of the steps and Joe steps through looking up at me. He smiles as he squints against the theatre's lights. My heart stumbles down the steps first; I do my best to follow without tripping head over heels and take his warm, soft hand. 

          "Hi," he says. 

          "Hi."

          I feel several pairs of eyes on us, but I don't care. He draws me gently down the last step, then leads me by the hand toward the waiting cars. Lights flash as photographers catch what I'm sure is the stupidest grin I've ever worn in my life. 

          There's a limo toward the front with its back door flung wide. Maya stands on the sidewalk beside it chatting with her date and a couple other guests who may or may not be celebrities. She lights up as she sees us approach and holds her arms open to me.