River shook his head. “Fine,” he said with a heavy sigh, “but I’m guessing today anyway.”
Of course he was. “You forgot on Sunday.”
“I won’t make that mistake again. But I’m waiting until the party.”
Before long, the car pulled to a slow stop. “There’s probably not going to be a lot of press,” River said. “No red carpet or anything. It’s not like it’s a huge movie. But let me get out first so they don’t try to get in your face.”
“You’re the boss,” Jem agreed as he backed away from the passenger’s side door.
River was right about the press. Sure, it was disorienting to be flash photographed, to have people clamoring for his attention, but he followed River’s lead and it worked out fine. One of the journalists asked River, “Who’s this with you?” as though Jem didn’t have the ability to speak for himself, which annoyed Jem until River looked at him with a smile that was nothing short of besotted and said, “This is my Jem.”
After that Jem couldn’t have spoken for himself anyway.
Things were better inside the venue. Jem didn’t know if all movie premieres were like this or if this was a one-off, but he and River were shown to an actual table where they were soon joined by Ward and his wife, Amy. Champagne was poured. Appetizers were delivered. Surrounded by two people he’d already met and Amy, who turned out to be chatty and clever, Jem relaxed and enjoyed himself. River egged him on to critique a few questionable fashion decisions, which Jem did under his breath, feeling put on the spot but not particularly displeased about it. Amy stifled her giggles in Ward’s shoulder and then joined in with a few pointed barbs of her own.
After an hour or so, a server came by with a tray of entrees. “No shellfish, no red meat?”
River looked up from his conversation with Ward and smiled. “That’s us.”
And—oh. Jem went warm to the tips of his ears. River remembered. He nudged their knees together. “Thanks.”
“Wouldn’t be a very good date if you had to go to the hospital.”
True. “It would be memorable, at least. Who’s no red meat?”
“Me.” River waggled his eyebrows. “I only eat the other beef.”
This must be an old joke, because Ward and Amy both rolled their eyes.
The film aired after dinner. Jem had no idea what to think of it and hoped no one asked his opinion, because he didn’t have much to say beyondthat sure was a movie. When the lights came up at the end, River caught his expression and leaned toward him. “Don’t worry, there’s not going to be a quiz.”
Jem glanced at Ward and Amy, but neither of them was paying attention. “What was that movie even about? Did you know it was going to be like this?”
River shrugged. “I was promised noHuman Centipederepeats.”
Jesus. Jem could’ve been at home reading or catching up on his Netflix queue. But then he wouldn’t be here with River.
River could watch Netflix too. Jem was pretty sure even famous people were allowed to unplug.
“I guess I should be grateful,” Jem said after a moment. “I didn’t realize it could be that much worse.”
“That’s what I like about you, Jem. You’re always ready to find the silver lining.” He stood up and offered Jem his hand—the one with the glittering bangle that matched Jem’s newwatch. A tattoo of a raven perched just above it. “We’ve got about an hour before the party starts, and I need to change.”
“Are you two coming?” Jem asked Ward and Amy.
She shook her head. “Nah, I’ve had enough socialization, thanks. Nice meeting you, though.”
“So why the wardrobe change?” Jem tried to keep the disappointment from his voice as they waited for the car. River should wear what he wanted. Although maybe this way Jem could stop staring at his legs. Or his chest.
Probably not.
“This may shock you,” River said as they slid into the back seat, “but I’m not great at sitting with my legs closed.” He gave a rueful smile as Jem closed the door behind them. “Tablecloths cover the sin. Couches at parties, not so much.”
Okay, he definitely needed to change or Jem was gonna have a problem.
“Right.”
But then River turned his back to Jem in the limo and said, “Here, can you help me unzip?”
