“Speaking of family... that picture Meghan took of us is making the rounds.”
“I saw that.” Meghan was family now. She and Sean had married in a simple ceremony on Christmas Eve. It was a whirlwind courtship but even Chloe had to admit—they were perfect together. It was an intimate ceremony at Dad’s church followed by a larger reception at Docksiders.
Unfortunately, their sister, Tiffany, hadn’t been able to make the event, but she promised to fly in this summer to finally meet them in person. They’d been communicating regularly. Their dad was still pretending his marriage to Chloe’s mom had never happened. That Chloe and Sean had never happened. But now that Chloe was seeing Sean’s therapist, she was coming to terms with all that. She couldn’t control her father. And she’d decided she was finished letting the past dictate her future.
Liam squeezed her hand. “Are you ready for your big night?”
“I’m ready for the movie—the spotlight I could happily skip.”
He gave her a rueful grin. “It’s a red-carpet premiere, sweetheart, and you’re the star. There’s no skipping the spotlight tonight.”
“I’m just the author—you’re the real star.”
He chuckled. “Keep telling yourself that. Did Katie prep you? Do you feel like you know what to do?”
Knowing and doing were two different things. “We’ll do the red-carpet thing, media interviews, you’ll do selfies with fans, then we’ll head for the theater where I can hide in the dark.”
The viewing was just a formality as they’d already previewed it. It had turned out beautifully. Liam had exceeded all Chloe’s expectations as Ledger. The higher-ups were confidentSummer Skieswould be a box office hit. Liam and Daisy were doing the talk show circuitto promote it, and Rosewood Press also had Chloe doing national interviews the week of the movie’s release.
“We’ll be one of the last cars to arrive,” Liam said. “Once we enter, the reporters will be behind stanchions with the movie graphics behind us. We’ll stop every few feet, answer questions, pose. It’s called the ‘step-and-repeat’ for a reason.”
“Got it. And of course they’re bound to ask about this.” She held out her left hand, fingers splayed.
The emerald-cut diamond winked under the interior lights. Because yes, Liam had proposed two weeks ago in Stillwater Bay on the anniversary of their first meeting. After a quiet dinner at Main Street Grill, they took a stroll on the beach. That’s where he dropped to one knee and popped the question. It was simple and special—the most magical moment of her life. She gave a wistful sigh.
As if he was also remembering the night, Liam gazed at her with affection in his eyes. He tipped her chin up and set a gentle kiss on her lips. “I must be the luckiest man alive.”
“Two minutes out,” the driver called back.
“Thanks, Paul.”
She could hardly believe this movie was really happening. The past nine months had been so busy she’d barely had time to process it. She’d written that second book—an epic World WarII saga—and turned it in last month. It would release next spring. She’d spent weeks at a time in Santa Monica, where she’d done most of her writing. But after the premiere she would return to Stillwater Bay and help out at Docksiders. Which worked out perfectly because Liam had scored a wonderful role in a TV series that was filming just up north. He would play a Coast Guard commander in a show that featured two other big-name actors and was expected to run for several seasons.
The limo slowed. A glance out the window revealed blocked-off streets, media vans, and black SUVs. When the limo stopped Chloe’s pulse kicked up a notch.
Liam peered out the window. “Okay, we’re here. I’ll be right beside you every minute.” Liam pressed a tender kiss to the back of her hand. “This is your big night, sweetheart. Try to enjoy it.”
Chloe was seeing spots from all the flashes. Her smile felt like plastic after holding it in place through the step-and-repeat. A lot of the questions had been for Liam about the role in her movie, but they asked her questions about the story as well. And of course, they asked about the engagement.
They answered a couple of questions, then Liam directed the attention back to the movie—that’s what they were here for, after all.
Chloe shifted on her heels and wiggled her toes. She tried to keep her grin in place as she waited for Liam to finish answering questions from the last outlet in the long line of media. He was doing a great job promoting the film. He was a natural at this.
She glanced around the red carpet, spotting people she knew: Simone chatting with the director, Spencer and Gwenn answering questions, Daisy and David posing for a shot. Cameras flashed. Reporters called out questions—it was quite the fray.
Chloe could hardly believe she was at her own movie premiere. And with her soulmate—who, as it turned out, didn’t much resemble the larger-than-life character she’d written in her book.
But she’d learned a lot this past year—therapy had a way of illuminating things. After being abandoned by her father, followed by several romantic failures, she’d desperately needed to believe the perfect man existed. So she’d written him into a book. But in real life it wasn’t about finding the perfect man—he didn’t even exist.
It was about finding the perfect man for her.
And it hadn’t taken long to figure out Liam was that man. Hewas kind and loyal. Generous and fiercely protective. He made her laugh and he made her feel. It seemed something unique and magical happened when two flawed people who were meant for each other came together. Liam and Chloe had that potent magic.
That didn’t mean it was always easy. She was still figuring this out—and so was he. They both had issues to work on, but they were doing it together.
Liam finished answering the question, then they posed against the backdrop for the photographer. And then... they were done.
Liam ushered Chloe toward the area where fans gathered for selfies with the talent. He pulled her close and brushed her lips with a lingering kiss. She forgot about the people and cameras and little sound bites she’d memorized for tonight. His kisses still swept her away to someplace quiet even as her heart turned over in her chest.
