“You are brilliant—you know that, babe?That movie is outstanding.Fuck, am I proud of you,” Cash gushed while people around us gaped.
No doubt my classmates were in shock that the star quarterback of the Wildcats was at this screening, let alone that he was kissing me.
“I have a lab final in a few minutes, so I’m glad they showed your film when they did.I’ll catch you later tonight, yeah?”
The love shining from his eyes was all I could see.In that moment, I believed we were truly in it for the long haul: that we were going to find a way to make our relationship work.
“Come over after your final,” I whispered in his ear.
One more kiss on my cheek, and he sauntered back up the aisle with half the eyes in the auditorium on him.
“You’re dating Cash Donovan?”Esme asked, her tone reverent.“Damn, girl.No wonder you didn’t want anything to do with Barry.”
Shaking my head, I hissed, “I didn’t want anything to do with him before I even met Cash,” as we sat back in our seats.
The ovation had died down, as well as some of the gasps and whispers accompanying my boyfriend’s appearance at my side.The dean had resumed his place at the lectern at the side of the stage to announce the next film, and we mostly settled back in to watch that one and the next that made up the first section of critiques.After the last showing, all the film students in our cohort filed up to the front to deposit our critiques in our professor’s designated tray.
When I dropped mine in, Olivia Carter materialized at my side, her smile wide and genuine.“Saylor, that short showcases all the promise you showed me during your internship last summer and then some.Do you have time to grab dinner?We have much to discuss.”
Before I could respond, a deep male voice behind me interrupted.“Miss Davis?May I have a word?”
Turning, I came face-to-face with Gerard Brown—and held my tongue.
When I didn’t respond, he added with a pointed stare over my shoulder at Olivia, “Alone.”
“You know what, Mr.Brown?I don’t think that’s a good idea, especially the part where I’m alone with you.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes but I didn’t waver.
“Multiple witnesses back my complaints, and they’re not all aspiring filmmakers you can intimidate or bribe.”I had no idea where my courage was coming from, but I didn’t back down.“Although I think Barry’s movies will make the faculty’s decision even easier.”
“I want to speak with you about financing your work.”
Shock stopped my breath in my chest for a second.Then Olivia was standing beside me.“I’m sorry, but you’re too late.”An undercurrent of hostility flowed between the two before Olivia said, “You tried to ruin another brilliant young woman’s nascent video career once.You didn’t succeed then.You won’t succeed now.Saylor’s star is already too bright for you to bury in the graveyard of your misogyny and stale ideas.If you’ll excuse us.”
Slipping her arm through my elbow as though we were contemporaries rather than intern and boss, she took one step before Gerard Brown stopped us.
“Think carefully about your choice here, Miss Davis.I’m the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company.My word carries weight—for success or failure.”
The blatant threat made my decision easy.“The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.After having to deal with your son these past two years, I have a clue what taking your money would mean for me.I’ll take my chances with someone who believes in me.Thanks anyway.”
Triumph shone in the look Olivia shot Brown before she tugged me along with her up the aisle and out the door of the auditorium.Even though I didn’t spare Brown a backward glance, I swear I could feel the fire of his anger at not being able to bribe me singeing my back all the way out of the theater.
Though I’d texted Cash that I was going to be late getting back to my place, and that maybe we should wait to celebrate, he was sitting in his Jeep in front of my apartment when I arrived home.
With casual grace he slung his backpack over his shoulder and jogged up the sidewalk to join me.Throwing his arm across my shoulders, he walked me to my door.“Don’t keep me in suspense, rock star.How did your dinner with Olivia go?”
“She wants to distribute my film through her studio to festivals like Sundance and Aspen Shorts.”After I keyed us inside my apartment, I turned to him and gushed, “She could get me seen by so many people inside the industry, but more importantly, she can help me put my movie in front of people who’d love it.Maybe even draw the attention of some of the bigger names in the music industry who are looking for a videographer for their live shows.”
Catching me up in his arms, he smiled deep into my eyes.“I’m not a movie expert, but I loved yours, babe.Hands down, it was the best one screened today.Bet it’s still the best one after tomorrow’s screenings too.”
I was on such a high, I didn’t want to ruin it by telling him about Gerard Brown’s ham-handed attempt at a bribe or his veiled threats.Instead, I pulled Cash’s head down and brushed a kiss over his lips.
“How did your finals go today?”
“All good.”Then a shadow crossed his features.“Studying a new playbook for this Saturday’s game wasn’t on my finals bingo card though.”
“Yeah?We can wait to celebrate—”
