Laney had insisted they all arrive in limousines and when the white Cadillac Fleetwood arrived at the hotel, the director and three of Nate’s co-stars were already in the back, all dressed elegantly in their long shimmery gowns, champagne glasses in their hands. No sign of Jess. Logically, he knew she wouldn’t be in the limo, but his heart still dropped when she wasn’t. New Zealand was small, but he had to stop looking for her around every corner. It was getting ridiculous.
When they arrived, a larger than he’d expected crowd of media and coworkers surrounded Nate, patting him on the back with their congratulations and making a fuss over his return to acting. It was invite only, but apparently the whole population of Rangiora had turned up to support the premiere and cram into the foyer of the town hall.
Someone shoved a large padded microphone in his face, pushing the crowd to the side. “Is this the relaunch of your acting career, Nate? What can we expect next from you?”
“Ah, I don’t plan on—” Nate stuttered.
“Nate, how does it feel to be back on camera?” another interviewer called out.
“Over here, Nate. Let’s get a shot of you with the director.”
Laney had warned him he’d be the central focus of the news stories, but his brain filled with mud. Jet lag was setting in, which didn’t help, and Jess preoccupied his thoughts. He scanned the red carpet and the entrance of the town hall, both packed shoulder-to-shoulder. Was she here somewhere in the crowd?
“This way, Nate,” Laney helpfully slipped her arm in his and guided him to a spot in front of a large board displaying marketing images for the show. A huge light hung above the head of a press photographer and Laney held him close as they posed for photos, as if she knew he needed steading. Nate relaxed and allowed his past media training to kick in as he posed and smiled appropriately, doing his best to look at each of the cameras in turn, so they’d get a good shot. Smile. Pose. Smile. Pose. Certainly not his favourite part of acting. He knew some actors lived for the attention, but it embarrassed him more than anything. That had been one of the attractions of medicine. No cameras in his face.
The fuss and noise combined with the long flight and lack of sleep proved to be a difficult combination, and Nate began to feel disoriented again. A glass of wine appeared in his hand and he found himself jostled into the theatre and seated in the middle, surrounded by excited, already slightly intoxicated cast members.
He craned his neck, trying to spot Jess, but in the sea of glamorous hairdos and dim lighting, it was hard to distinguish one person from another. Laney beside him squeezed his forearm. “Isn’t this exciting!”
Nate tried to match her excitement and mustered up a smile. He’d been hoping to sit with Jess for the screening, but as the theatre darkened and the screen came to life, he knew he’d be counting the minutes until it finished.
“JESS, WHY AREN’T YOU DRESSED?You’ll be late.” Poppy stood in the doorway to Jess’s bedroom.
Refusing to make eye-contact with her best friend in case the stubborn feeling in her gut turned to hot tears, Jess pulledher bedcovers higher over her pyjamas, and took another bite of hazelnut chocolate. “I’ve decided to watch reruns ofGrey’s Anatomyinstead.”
“What happened?” Poppy made her way to Jess’s side and lay down next to her.
“Meredith Grey nearly drowned after a ferry boat accident.”
“You know what I mean,” Poppy scowled.
Reluctantly pausing the show on her laptop, Jess sighed, flopping her arm over her face.
“I didn’t get the cottage. They rejected my offer.”
“Can’t you make another one?”
She shook her head, tears threatening to spill, and offered her friend a piece of chocolate, shovelling another into her own mouth—urging the dopamine high to hurry up and kick in and ease her heartache.
“Nope,” she mumbled through a full mouth. Who even cared about manners at this point?
“Are you sure? Can’t you—”
“I offered the maximum the bank will lend me. The real estate agent said it’s not a good time for first-home buyers.”
“I’m so sorry, babe. But there’ll be other places.”
“But it was meant for me. It’s mydreamcottage.”
“I know.” Poppy leaned her head on Jess’s shoulder.
“You know…parties always cheer you up,” Poppy offered.
“Not toda—”
“And this one you get to wear an incredible outfit. I can do your hair if you like?”
“This is the new me, remember. No more party-girl.”
