Her fingers tightened around mine.
“Still yes?” I asked quietly.
She looked toward the line of photographers, then back at me.
“Still yes.”
We started walking.
The first section involved photographs only. Stand on the mark. Turn slightly. Look toward the center. Look left. Look together.
Ellie followed the instructions until a photographer shouted, “Savannah, kiss her.”
Her head turned toward him.
“No,” she said.
The photographer lowered his camera.
I tried not to laugh.
Another called, “Can you put your arm around her?”
Ellie glanced at me.
“That one seems acceptable.”
I placed my hand at her waist.
She rested hers against my back.
The cameras accelerated again.
It should have felt staged. Instead, I was aware of the warmth of her palm through my dress and the way she moved closer without being prompted.
At the first interview position, a reporter named Camille welcomed us with a smile. She had interviewed me several times and had never asked about Luke Harper, placing her well above the industry average.
“Savannah, you look incredible.”
“Thank you.”
“And Ellie, welcome.”
“Thank you.”
Camille looked between us.
“This is your first red carpet together. How are you feeling?”
I turned slightly toward Ellie.
She gave me a small nod.
“Nervous,” I said.
Camille laughed.
“You?”
