The next morning I had no time to gush over memories from my date with Pete. Instead I was rushing to go do a photoshoot for my line. They had to change the location of the shoot to a building I didn't know. This time I took advantage of their offer for a car to pick me up.
The photoshoot went amazing. It was so much fun. I'd done only a few other professional photo shoots. Most of my photos came from using my phone or a friend's camera. This was a completely different experience. Everything about the shoot was catered towards me. Even the snacks on the table were all things that I loved.
Photoshoot were fun but they're also exhausting. With every outfit change they would change my hair and makeup. The makeup was a natural style. My hair kept going from up to down to different updos. I felt like I didn't get a second to catch my breath.
"Miss Long, you have a visitor." Said one of the staff members. "Just in time for a ten minute break."
"A visitor?" I question, turning around.
"Surprise." Pete grins at me. He hands me a smoothie. "I thought I'd bring you this."
"You're amazing." I kiss him on the cheek, blushing. "Best surprise."
"I also have another surprise." He rubs the back of his neck nervously. "I figured you might, if you don't have any plans, would like to come see SNL tonight. I got you a ticket. You could come see the show then maybe stick around for the after party."
"Really? I'd love to come!" I smile at him. "Will you be in any sketches tonight?"
Pete smiles at me. "I'm not giving away anything."
"Then I guess I'll have to see for myself." I try to bump our hips together. The height difference didn't help.
My ten minute break went by too quickly. As much as I wanted to keep talking to Pete, I was here for a job. He stuck around for about thirty minutes, making faces at me while I was posing for photos. I kept laughing at him instead of being focused on the shoot. After a while the photographer kicked him out so that we could get it done. He left promising to see me tonight.
When the photoshoot was done I went back to my hotel, grabbing some food on my way back. I had about an hour and a half to be at 30 Rock to be seated for the show. Just enough time to each and get changed. Thankfully I had convinced my hair and make up stylist from the shoot to do one more style for me. My hair was in loose curls and makeup a golden Smokey eye. I put on a baby blue halter top with a black skirt. Satisfied with my look I headed out.
Immediately after arriving I was ushered to the VIP seating. A few stars and reporters were in this section. I had a spot with a central view. It was absolutely perfect. As I sat in my seat, I went through DailyMail, my guilty pleasure.
Three articles in and I was greeted with rumors of a romance between Pete and I. I couldn't help but laugh at it. At least the picture the reporter took of us we look really cute in. I quickly exit from DailyMail, deciding it was just better to not keep looking
As usual the opening skit was something political. I kept finding myself searching for Pete at the start of every sketch. My heart fluttered when I saw him off stage, about to enter a scene. He grinned up at me, like he knew I was looking for him. Every once in a while he would glance at my direction, especially during his segment on Weekend Update.
When the show was over I rushed towards the stage. Pete greeted me instantly, pulling me in for a hug. I enjoyed his warmth. A faint smell of weed and aftershave came from his clothes. An all together intoxicating scent.
"What did you think?" He asks.
"It was incredible. You were hilarious during Update. Then you looked really hot in the digital skit." I tell him.
"Well you need to get your vision check." Pete says smiling brightly. "At the after party I'll introduce you to everyone. Just remember that I didn't use a ticket to the show as a bribe to get you to be my date."
I giggle, lacing my hand with his. "So I should tell them that your paying me to be your date?"
"Funny and gorgeous. Maybe you don't exist and I'm just really high right now."
"You might be high because of that description but I do exist." I give his hand a squeeze.
The SNL after party is held in the writers room. A table near the window held all kinds of liquor and mixers. A red cooler underneath had different beers in it on ice. The room was filled with different SNL employees from directors to actors to writers to stylists. I stuck to Pete as we went to get a drink before mingling.
"And who is this lovely lady?" Michael Che asked as he walked up to us.
"Michael, this is my date Ali. Ali, Michael." Pete introduces.
I shook his hand. "I loved your Netflix stand up, it was hilarious."
"Thanks. I just said what I wanted to. Told the stories I felt like." Michael said. "That's what I miss about doing standup. Enough about me. I've seen your Youtubes. How do you and Pete know each other?"
"I was wandering around completely lost and almost late to a meeting. We bumped into each other on the street. He ended up offering to show me to the building I was looking for. Then we've kind of hit it off since then." I said, giving Pete a grin at the end.
"You kids are adorable." Michael frowns a very large shot from the bar. He then stumbles off towards Colin.
"Che's cool." Pete tells me.
"He seems like it." I said. "He's been one of my favorite cast member since he started the show."
"That's nice."
I squeeze Pete's hand that was still in mine. "You're the hottest one though."
Pete laughs. "You're very forward with compliments tonight."
"I may have gotten one of the photographer's assistants to help me find some weed." I admit. "I'm a little baked."
Pete kisses me. It was a short and sweet kiss. That didn't mean it didn't make my heart race. "Would have never guessed you smoked."
"Not something I can really advertise with my career." I say. "But I trust you not to say anything."
"My lips are sealed." He promises. "And if not then you can seal them for me any time you want."
