“How you’ve treated Tate, Gabriella, and me has ruined not only my experience in the show but maybe in the industry as a whole.Moreover, although you are good at what you do, I don’t think you’re happy.”I sit back and wait for a reaction, but no matter what, I’m proud of myself.I told her how I felt in a respectable way and didn’t let my emotions get the best of me.Progress.Tina will be proud too.After a couple beats of silence so awkward and thick you could swim through it, Jan lets out her signature cackle.
“That’s where you’re wrong, my boy.I love what I do and make a ton of money doing it.And although you and Gabriella may have strong feelings towards me, I’m not sure Tate feels the same.”She flicks her chin in the air towards the window we were just looking through.Gabriella and I both turn cautiously.Standing on the red carpet is none other than my best friend, Tim, followed by Callie and my mom, dressed to the nines.The crowd lowers their signs as they try to place them.That is, until Tate steps out.
“Tate!”the crowd screams.“It’s Tate!”Everyone stands on their tippy-toes, trying to catch a look as a bunch of cameramen rush the group.I press up to the glass, positioning my face at an unnatural angle to take her in.True to self, she’s dressed in her signature yellow, but the dress is like something off the runway.Tight fabric wraps over her chest down to her hips where big looping ruffles jut out asymmetrically till they hit the floor, exposing just the tip of her black pumps.Her hair is loose and wild, falling over her shoulders in waves.Crowning her head is something straight out of the 1920s.A beaded black cap sits perfectly on top.
“Stop drooling, Levi.”Jan laughs, and I would be mad if she wasn’t right.I’m totally drooling.Tate smiles her megawatt smile as she makes her way down the carpet.People are losing their minds.She takes her time, receiving every extended hand in the same way you would greet a friend.The car in front of us moves and we take its place.My fingers twitch, wanting to reach for the handle.
“Okay, you two.Remember, you are engaged, so act accordingly.Next week, we will release a statement that the win impacted your relationship, and with so much love...blah, blah...you’ve decided to split.”Gabriella looks at me before giving me a tight nod.“Once Tate is about to enter the theater, Levi will step out and...”
Tate’s foot just then crosses the threshold of the doors to the building, and Jan all but yells, “Now, go.”
Chapter 47
Tate
The low sound of asqueaky hinge hits my ears, and I’m surprised, because up to now, I haven’t been able to hear anything but the rapid beat of my own heart.I’m so honored to meet all these people, even though I know they didn’t come for me.They’re still treating me like they did though.As soon as my hand releases the little girls, and I go to step inside the theater, the crowd goes wild.The sound of it nearly knocks me off my heels.I look back and freeze.Levi is standing on the opposite end of the carpet, staring at me.I press a smile into my hand and raise it as a small hi.The gesture unlocks something in him, and he starts to move, all long strides as he walks the length of the carpet in under ten steps.He stops in front of me.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I say back.
“Fancy seeing you here.”
My mouth cracks like a dam, releasing the untethered joy of just being in his presence again.“It is.”
He smiles back, and for a minute, the theater, the crowd, everything leading up to this moment...feels insignificant.
“I— I have to tell you something...”I say, nervous for some reason.His face remains soft, nonreactive.
“I’m here because...”
“Levi!”Gabriella calls, hands planted on her denim-clad hips.
He looks at her, then back to me, jaw tightened.He wraps himself around me, my head resting just under his chin.
“I’ll see you after the show?”It’s a question, but before I can answer it, he’s walking back towards Gabriella and Jan.They link arms and start the slow walk down the carpet.Thankfully, Callie pulls me in, or I probably would have sat there and watched the whole thing.Lovesick is what they’ll say about me tomorrow.I can see the headline now—Tate shows up unannounced and can’t keep her eyes off of Levi and Gabriella.
