“Sorry. Old habit. It’s what I do all day. You ready to be fancy?”
“Ready. There’s photographers, so smile big.”
She looked momentarily terrified but steeled herself with a deep breath and a smile. I pecked her cheek. “Don’t worry. You look gorgeous, baby.”
We stepped out into the flashes and cheers of fans waiting on either side of the red carpet.
Jessie tugged on my hand and I bent down to listen. “Jesus, Jockey. I didn’t know you were this famous.”
I grinned at her and squeezed her hand. I stopped and talked to a reporter. Jessie tried to step out of the camera’s view, but I wrapped my arm around her waist to keep her close.
“Mikey, why do you think it’s so important to help disadvantaged youth?”
I rattled off some answer my PR rep had told me to give.
“And who’s this with you?”
“This is my girlfriend, Jessie. She’s a brilliant costume designer. I’m very glad she came tonight to make me look sharper.”
She gave me a goofy grin. I went in to give her a kiss on the temple, but she turned her face up and well, I just full-on kissed her. Quick, nothing nasty. Her face went bright red. I thanked the reporter and walked Jessie on down the carpet.
I signed a few autographs for fans that had stuff waiting and snapped selfies with a few. Someone asked to get a picture of me and Jessie, which I thought was a little weird, but we went with it.
“Sorry about the kiss. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” I said as we walked the last few feet to the door.
“I’m flattered. It was a surprise, but you’re always full of surprises.”
“I might be a teensy bit excited about having you with me,” I admitted.
“It’s nice to have someone excited to be with me,” she said, her eyes kind of sad. My stomach turned a little, both for her sadness and because she was thinking about Cole. I didn’t want her thinking about that douchebag when I was the one bringing her out places. Oh well. I guess I looked amazing by comparison.
We walked into a grand hall and were immediately flagged down by Guy and Kitty.
“Look at your dress, Jessie!” Kitty said, her jaw on the floor. “Miss Jessica Rabbit in the building!”
“Doesn’t she look incredible?” I said, taking the opportunity to look my date over from head to toe.
“A-thank you,” Jessie said, pretending to flip her hair over her shoulder when really it was slicked back in a low bun. “You also look fantastic, Kitty.”
“Well, someone made my dress fit like a glove,” Kitty said,tapping Jessie’s arm. “Grab a drink before cocktail hour’s over. I think they’re about to seat everyone for dinner.”
I got Jessie’s drink order and went to the bar, meeting her at the table. We sat through the program, quietly passing around rolls and having our salad course. Whenever we weren’t eating, I held Jessie’s hand in my lap. It was simple, but it felt so nice to have her close, someone who wanted to be there because she likedme. Jessie wasn’t into me for my money, or for hockey. She liked hanging out with me, and I more than liked hanging out with her. She caught me staring at her, but instead of looking over at me with judgment or scorn, she just smiled back at me and patted my leg.
I was so smitten with her. So royally fucked. How did I get that lucky?
I was supposed to be paying attention to the presentation, but I couldn’t focus with Jessie looking so gorgeous sitting next to me.
Last night was really fun
Jessie took her phone out of her tiny purse in response to the buzz. Her cheeks went pink.
Jessie Girl
I’m still thinking about it. Not sure how I’ll wait till we get home
Fuuuuuuck. That had me ten kinds of fired up. I looked around and determined that there wouldn’t be much to miss for the next little bit. I snuck out to the bathroom and texted her again.
Meet me at coat check
