“This isn’t the time, Lauren,” Dad says, as the main cast members appear at the entrance doors. “Enjoy the movie,” he adds before turning around to walk back up the steps.
My heart thuds painfully behind my rib cage as Reeve and Saffron approach. She has her arm linked through his, and she’s whispering animatedly in his ear. He’s laughing at something she says, and I swear I feel the rupture splitting my heart into two. Reeve looks so handsome in his custom-made Armani suit. Saffron looks like a slut in a monstrous red silk and lace dress that leaves little to the imagination. If the top was any lower, you’d see her nipples.
“Hey, Viv.” Rudy stops, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Rudy. This is my mom, Lauren.”
Rudy kisses Mom’s hand. “I’m a big fan, and it’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you. This is an exciting night for all of you. We’re looking forward to seeing the movie,” Mom diplomatically replies.
“Lauren, Viv.” Reeve stops to say hi with the clinger suctioned to his arm like she’s a bloodsucking leech. Her glowing smile falters a little when she sees me beside Mom, but she recovers fast.
That bitch. She must have had something to do with the seating arrangements.
“Oh my God, it’s so amazing to meet you, Lauren. You’re my biggest inspiration, and I just adore you,” Saffron gushes.
Mom gives her a tight smile but doesn’t reply, glancing away, and that’s as good a snub as anything she wishes she could say. I have never loved my mom more than I do in this moment. She always has my back, unlike some I could mention.
Saffron’s eyes glint with malice as she leans into Reeve, placing her hand on his chest and peering up at him like he hung the moon.
I want to rip her hands away and pummel my fists into her face until I reveal the ugly monster hiding behind that beautiful exterior. I swear she must have been put on this Earth to test my self-control. Gripping my armrests tightly, I latch on to my anger, because it’s better than letting the hurt take control.
The smile drops off Reeve’s face when he sees my expression. “You go on,” he tells Saffron.
“Okay, baby,” she croons, pulling his head down and moving her lips toward his. Mom clamps her hand down on my arm to hold me in place. If she kisses him, all bets are off. I don’t give a flying fuck how much trouble I’d land Reeve in.
Reeve turns his head, and her lips caress his cheek instead. Giggling, she shoots me a victory smile. “Don’t be too long. It’s just about to start. I can’t wait for everyone to see what amazing chemistry we have.” She walks off, grinning like she’s the master of the universe. In her fucked-up brain, she probably thinks she is.
So much for no kissing and offering the public only hints of a relationship. It seems to have gone from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye.
Intense pain settles on my chest, as if someone has taken a baseball bat to my heart. My insides are tied into knots, and acid churns in my gut. I’m glad I couldn’t stomach any dinner, because I’m pretty sure I’d have puked it back up. I wish I hadn’t come now, and I’m tempted to leave, but I won’t give that bitch the satisfaction.
“All that girl is missing is a scarlet A strapped to her chest,” Mom says, drilling Reeve with a harsh look I would not like to be on the receiving end of.
“I’m sorry about that. I know she’s a lot to handle.”
“I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, Reeve, and I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”
Reeve quickly glances around before mouthing “I’m sorry.”
I can barely look at him, let alone speak. Reaching into my purse, I hand him the card I made for him. Our fingers brush in the exchange, and his touch sends tremors shooting up my arm, like always. However, it offers none of the usual comfort. His hand twitches, and while it’s only a subtle gesture, it’s enough to tell me he still feels our connection too.
I wonder if she ignites sparks in him, or if her touch makes his skin crawl like one look at her does to me.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers, glancing around to ensure no one is paying too much attention. “Do you like the earrings?” he adds in another whisper.
I nod. “Thank you. You look hot,” I croak, barely managing to get the words out.
An awkward silence descends, and I hate this. Even strangers would have some polite words to say, but I’ve got nothing. There’s a distance between us for the first time ever, and I have no clue how I can close it. The lump in my throat is so painful I’m almost choking on air.
Cassidy, the studio’s obnoxious PR person, rushes up to Reeve, whispering in his ear.
“I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you at the after-party,” Reeve says, shooting me another apologetic look. I nod tersely, watching him walk away with a horrid ache in my chest.
Mom takes my hand, holding it tight. “You don’t have to deal with this. Just say the word, and we’ll leave.”
I squeeze her hand back. “Thanks, Mom, but I came here for Reeve, and I’m staying to support him.” Whether he deserves it is another matter entirely.