I turned and looked at the woman, smiled and said, “You don’t recognize Kirk Brewster?” I shot the woman a look of mocked shock before I turned away.
“Why did you do that?” Kirk whispered in my ear. “You know they don’t know who I am.”
“True, but it will keep them busy for a while trying to figure it out.” I grinned mischievously.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” Kirk admitted.
“It’s like peeling off a Band-Aid. Being with me will put you in the spotlight. This will get you a burst of attention, then they’ll be bored before Christmas is over,” I told him. “It’s a trick my old publicist taught me.”
“Ms. Saunders and Mr. Brewster, over here,” another reporter yelled.
I gently swerved Kirk in their direction and smiled. Kirk turned and gave them a startled look. We stood there for a couple more shots.
“Can I get a kiss for the camera?” another paparazzo yelled.
I turned and looked at the young man. “Now, look who’s trying to land himself on the naughty list?” I asked playfully. Before the man could respond, I dragged Kirk the last couple of steps as the second doorman opened the door and we slipped inside.
Kirk immediately loosened up. I hadn’t realized how much he’d tensed up during his first walk on a red carpet.
“You know, I totally would have kissed you out there,” Kirk leaned down and whispered. “I’d kiss you anywhere.”
“In the immortal words of the first showman, P. T. Barnum, ‘always leave them wanting more,’” Johnny said from behind us. I spun to see him and Amani wearing matching red velvet tux jackets with black satin lining and black tux pants. Amani wore a black cummerbund and tie, while Johnny was wearing a dark green set.
“You two look amazing,” I gushed.
“I know,” Johnny said. “But not nearly as gorgeous as that tall drink of water you have hanging on your arm.”
“Good evening to you, too, Johnny,” Kirk said as his lip turned up slightly at the compliment.
“It’s not fair,” Johnny said. “Your man looks better in a black tux than I do. Oh, look, my director forPassionis here. I’m going to go schmooze,“ Johnny said, pulling Amani away.
Amani turned his head back to me and mouthed, “I’m sorry.” I smiled.
“Erika,” Ralph Seegers said, approaching me.
I put on my fake smile and said, “Ralph, good to see you. Is your wife here?”
“Umm…no…well, she…wasn’t able to come tonight.”
“Well, I hope she comes to see the show with your children,” I said with the biggest smile. I loved the flustered look that crossed his face. “Maybe you can bring them backstage for a tour and an autograph.”
The flash of fear crossed his face was quickly replaced with a smile as fake as mine. “That would be great,” he lied. “Anyway, if you and Mr.…”
“Brewster. Kirk Brewster,” I said, turning and giving Kirk a peck on the cheek.
“If you and Mr. Brewster could follow me for some publicity shots,” he stammered out.
We followed from a close distance. Kirk leaned down and asked, “What was that about?”
“Remember the married guy I went on a date with?” Kirk’s eyes turned into round O’s as he remembered the story.
“That’s him?”
I nodded and kept smiling.
There was aThe Naughty Listlogo banner backdrop put together in the restaurant’s corner with the show’s photographer. I walked over, and the photographer took a series of shots with Kirk and me.
“Can I get a few shots by yourself, Ms. Saunders?”
