Delaney James seems to have it all-a successful husband, a stylish Manhattan townhouse, and a thriving career in fashion journalism-until it all falls apart. Her husband leaves her, shattering the perfect life she once knew. Heartbroken and desperat...
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"You nervous?" Greyson asks, as our limo pulls up in front of the arena. He places his hand on my thigh and the warmth of it calms me down almost instantly. "I can't help but notice you're spinning your ring around your finger."
I sigh and place my hand on top of his, interlocking our fingers. "Yeah. I'm a little nervous. I've never walked a red carpet before. What if they ask me questions? What'll I say?"
"Del, I mean this with the utmost respect, if they're gonna ask anyone questions, it's gonna be me. Especially seeing as how this is my first appearance anywhere since I walked off the mound in the last game I played."
His face is stoic, but there's a wrinkle of either worry or concern between his dark eyebrows.
"You always were the one people were more interested in talking to."
He lifts our joined hands to his lips and presses a kiss against my knuckles. "Only because I'm standing next to you."
Greyson throws the door open, holding onto my hand as he helps me out of the car. Noise immediately surrounds us and makes it hard to hear as the woman at the entrance directs us on where to go, so I move closer to him to keep from getting lost in the crowd. There are people everywhere. Cameramen and women are shouting names and snapping photos of celebrities as they smile and pose. Reporters and journalists are conducting interviews. Greyson gets the go-ahead from the woman checking tickets, and he takes my hand and looks at me over his shoulder, smiling in reassurance as he drags me along, forcing me to face a fear I never knew I had – walking a red carpet.
I've been in the company of semi-famous models when I assisted Nico on fashion shows. I've been at a table with well-known politicians. I even ran into Tina Fey at a bagel shop in Tribeca, but I've never been starstruck before. Right now, I'm completely starstruck. As expected, the carpet is packed with athletes, musicians, actors and actresses, reality stars and Olympians. Steph and Ayesha Curry are here with their kids. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. Russell Wilson and Ciara. Maks and Peta from Dancing with the Stars. Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Nas X. Tiger Woods. The USA Women's soccer team. Lebron freaking James.
A very tall, very big, yet extremely friendly looking guy and a gorgeous blonde come up to us, the guy extending his hand toward Greyson in greeting.
"Greyson McKinnie."
"Mike!" Greyson shakes his hand, and they do one of those bro hugs where they bump chests and slap each other on the back. "It's good to see you."
"You too." He wraps his arm around the blonde next to him and pulls her close. "You remember my wife, Jessica?"
"I do. It's nice to see you again, Jess," Greyson says. He lifts our joined hands to his chest and looks down at me, smiling affectionately. "This is Delaney. My...uh, my Delaney. And Del, this is Mike and Jessica Trout. Mike plays centerfield for the Anaheim Angels. He used to kick my ass whenever we faced each other."
