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Thirty

Maddie’s chestconstricted when Fudge didn’t answer his phone. She left a frazzled voice message saying she needed to find Micah and she was already on her way to the Nokia. But what if she couldn’t get ahold ofhim?

Thank God, he texted her half a minute after she hung up. Of course. He was probably in a place where he couldn’t take a phone call. Idiot.

She glanced at his message while stopped at a light. Park at the Ritz. Text me when you arrive.

She tossed her phone down on the passenger seat and turned onto Olympic Boulevard. With the few minutes left of her drive, she centered her thoughts. Micah said he loved her. On national television. But had he changed his mind about the future? Did he believe they might actually have a shot, even in Hollywood?

Micah loved her. And she loved Micah. Still, she couldn’t relax in that knowledge without more information.

Though still a block away, Maddie slowed her car as the Ritz came into view, hoping the change in speed would calm her sudden anxiety. But when she turned into the hotel’s driveway, her heart seemed to beat even faster.

“You’re in luck,” the valet attendant said. “A parking spot just came available.” He opened her door. “Are you staying in the hotel?”

“Visiting someone who is,” shelied.

As the valet drove her car away, she texted Fudge. Just parked.

I’m in the hotel lobby.

Smoothing down her dress—as if that would help her disheveled state—Maddie pushed through the revolving doors and stepped into the cool lobby.

Fudge saw her first. “Hey, you!” He was dressed in a black T-shirt and black jeans, his “on duty” attire. He enveloped her in a bear hug. “You saw the show? What did you think?”

Man, was that a loaded question. It would take an hour to run through all her thoughts and feelings. She settled on the dominating one. “I’m shocked.”

He took her hand, leading her toward the main elevators. “But it was good, right?”

She nodded as he pushed the up arrow on the call panel.

Her brow furrowed. They were staying in the hotel?

Fudge didn’t notice her confusion. “I just knew you’d show up after that. Micah wasn’t so sure. He was really nervous about it actually. He’s gonna be real happy to see you. I’m real happy to see you. He’s been an ass since Colorado.”

“Anass?”

“Total ass. Moody. Mean. I’ve never seen him like that.” An elevator opened behind them and a formally dressed couple stepped out. Was that the guy who just won best screenwriter? Fudge ushered her in the empty car before she could look again.

“But good for you,” he continued. “Not letting him force you into less than you both deserve.” He pushed the number four on the panel and the doorsshut.

Maybe Micah was waiting for her in a hotel room. With nothing on. Yummy. She grinned at the thought. “Does he know I’mhere?”

“Nah. We’re surprising him.” Fudge tapped his foot, watching the dial as they climbed.

So no naked in a hotel room. "Um, where are we going? Is Micah here or at the Nokia?”

Fudge hit his head as if he just realized he were an idiot. “Duh. Sorry. He’s here in the hotel.” The doors opened and he led her down a hall following a sign that pointed toward the hotel ballrooms. “All the presenters and award winners are sent over here to the press room for pics and interviews and stuff.”

Maddie halted, panic setting in. “There won’t be pictures of me, right?”

“Maybe. Everyone wants to know who the mysterious Maddie Bauers is, after all. Is that notcool?”

She gestured at her outfit. “Look at me. I’m a mess! I’m wearing an Old Navy Jersey. I have a big old chocolate stain on my boobs.”

Fudge scanned her over, as if seeing her for the first time. “Hmm. Yeah, we’ll keep you out of the limelight then. No worries.”

He resumed his trek down the hall. Hesitantly, Maddie followed. He stopped outside a corridor where two security guards stood. Several feet behind them, a sign on a set of heavy double doors read “BallroomA.”