Maia tottered and found London’s hand under her elbow for stability. “It’s nice to meet you, Trista.” Trista’s palm was moist and her skin pale. Maia glanced at Franz, who beamed like a kid who had the best science fair project. The image clicked because he was the cute-nerd type with glasses, a narrow face, and thinbuild.
She introduced London as her escort for the evening. If he caught the fact that she didn’t call him her date, he didn’t show it. He shook hands with everyone and complimented Trista on herdress.
Her cheeks warmed and she glanced down at the basic, knee-length black dress. “I wasn’t sure what to wear. Franz said this would be fine, but I feel underdressed—especially next to you,Maia.”
“Trust me, you should be grateful. I’m drowning.” Maia yanked on the fabric that had twisted as shemoved.
“What we go through for publicity, eh, Maia?” Franz tugged at the green vest under his jacket. That was his elegant nod to the part he played in the movie, and it fit him well. “Let’s sit.” He placed himself between the women and waited for them to take theirseats.
Maia mumbled an apology as she shoved fabric under her legs to make room for Franz and his date. She could feel London watching her and practically hear the gears turn in his mind as he worked over theproblem.
“Stand up,” hecommanded.
She gave him a dubiouslook.
“Come on—I have anidea.”
She struggled back to her feet. London stayed sitting. He wrapped his right arm behind her and gathered as much fabric as he could in his hand, and then did the same with his left. He pulled the two handfuls together behind her knees. “Okay, nowsit.”
She did, her bottom hitting his shoulder. Her cheeks heated but she could see where he was going with this, so she pressed on. He slid his arm down her legs, still holding the fabric in place. Once she was safely in her seat, he let go. Her dress now hugged her thighs, but it was undercontrol.
“Skadoosh,” London said with aflourish.
“Bravo.” Franz clapped. Now that her dress wasn’t attacking her co-star, he turned his attention to his date. Couples streamed into the rows and the theater filled quickly. The producer, his wife, and two kids sat in front of Maia and London. She made introductions without having to stand up, thankgoodness.
London expressed enthusiasm for the film and even complimented Rodrick on a film he’d done several years ago. Maia was impressed that he knew Rodrick’s work. Rodrick asked a few questions about the upcoming Titans season. Their conversation was cut short by the lights dimming to signal five minutes to showtime. The noise in the theater increased as peoplehurried.
Maia found herself feeling rather shy as she thought about the last time she and London had seen a movie together. She’d made him go toTwilight—which he hated. He’d made her go toIron Man—which she loved. They both enjoyedKung Fu Panda,which was funny because neither of them had wanted to see it, but it had been the only movie playing. They laughed like fools and quoted the movie for weeks afterward. In fact, it wasKung Fu Pandathat had placed a seed in her mind for doing an animatedfilm.
“Your eyebrow is twerking.” London graced her wrist with his finger, leaving behind a trail of sparkles andmischief.
“I don’t twerk anything.” Maia resisted the urge to lean into histouch.
“What were youthinking?”
She pressed her lipstogether.
“Come on—you can tellme.”
She quoted the movie. “There is no charge for awesomeness … orattractiveness.”
His grin stretched wide. “His enemies would go blind from overexposure to pureawesomeness!”
“Is that what you tell yourself before you go on the field?” sheteased.
He flipped his collar up. “I don’t have to; the press says it forme.”
She bumped her shoulder against his. “Egomaniac.”
“Diva,” he countered, and they both laughed. The room descended into blackness and all heads turned toward thescreen.
London took Maia’s hand, causing her heart to race. Her fingers were stiff and her wrist locked in place. She wasn’t sure if allowing him the liberty was a smart idea. Laughing and joking with London as a friend and an evening’s escort was one thing, but holding hands implied there was more to tonight than she was ready toadmit.
He leaned closer, his breath warm on the delicate skin behind her ear. “There is a saying: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called thepresent.”
She tipped her head to the side, connecting her temple with his jaw. How many times had she wished for one more moment with London? Too many to count. Perhaps London’s presence tonight was a gift from God—a chance to fulfill her daydreams and finally set the magic that once existed between the two of thembehind.
A single violin cascaded through the speakers and filled the auditorium. The screen came to life with the image of a young girl smiling up at a mother, who tenderly brushed a stray hair off the girl’s face and tucked it behind her ear. Maia tightened her grip on London. Her own mother had never looked at her with such love in her eyes. The stepmother’s cool and sometimes cruel distance they’d see in a few moments on the screen was much more familiar to Maia. She hadn’t given the similarities between the movie and her personal life that much thought—having London here woke up her subconscious, and it was ill-tempered atbest.
