However, knowing how betrayed she’d felt when she’d found out he’d lied...how could she justify not saying anything to him about the baby?
“That’s it. I’m yours for the evening, Paisley. Let’s get a picture together and then head into the premiere.”
She smiled at him but some of her joy in the evening was dimmed because of her own actions. She had to tell him.
Maybe she should whisper it in his ear when he pulled her close for a photo in front of the movie-poster backdrop the studio had provided. “I have something I want to talk to you about.”
He looked down at her and smiled that intimate just-for-her smile. “Me too. After the party?”
She nodded, secretly grateful for another reprieve, but at the same time she knew that the more time she took to tell him, the harder it was going to be for him to hear. But then his director came over and Paisley stepped aside to let them get a photo together. She stood on the sidelines watching and hoping that she hadn’t waited too long to tell Sean, because she knew that losing him for real would hurt more deeply than her father’s betrayal, than losing her childhood home. Losing Sean would mean forfeiting the only man she’d ever really let herself trust.
Thirteen
Sean’s Christmas movie premiere had been a lot of fun and the after party was at an exclusive Chicago club ballroom. They’d all been shuttled over after watching the movie and now were walking around what looked like the interior ballroom of the prince’s castle from Sean’s movie. Sean was talking to some studio executives and Paisley stepped outside to get a break from the noise and crowds. She stayed close by, though, because she didn’t know anyone in this world.
As happy as she was that he had fit into her world, she wasn’t so sure that she fit into his. This kind of party wasn’t like anything she was used to. She’d worked a few events like this with her clients, but generally once the press left, she did too.
“Hey, lady, what are you doing out here?”
“Just taking a breather. Your movie is great. You were the best part,” she said.
“I was?” He arched one eyebrow at her as he pulled her into his arms. She heard the sounds of Elton John’s “Step into Christmas” coming from inside the ballroom. “Are you a tiny bit biased?”
“Definitely. I mean you’re the only movie star I know,” she murmured.
“Is that why you like me?”
“No!” she insisted, putting her hands on his face. It was so much more complicated than that. “I’m not chasing fame.”
“I know. I was just teasing. Want to dance?” he asked. “I can’t stay out here or the party will move out here.”
She wrapped her arms around him and looked up into his eyes, realizing she was always going to have to share him with the world. But she’d known that all along. Right?. She went up on tiptoe and kissed him. He sighed and pulled her closer, his hands on her waist as his tongue brushed over hers. She wanted this moment to never end.
But it had to because this was his premiere party and she had to tell him about the baby before this moment could be truly real.
“Sure,” she said, thinking he might be exaggerating about people following him outside, but as they started back into the ballroom, three or four groups of people were coming out in the hall.
“There you are! After this song is over we need you to get up there and give your speech.” The elegantly dressed woman turned to Paisley. “Hello, there, I’m Cass Genaro. We spoke on Zoom. So nice to meet you,” she said, holding her hand out to Paisley.
“Nice to meet you in person.” Cass said. She was one of the studio execs who had set up all of Sean’s press with Paisley.
“I’ll show you to your table while Sean is doing his thing. He’s got about two more things to take care of at this party and then he’s yours,” Cass said. “Until then, I’ll hang with you.”
Sean glanced down at her as if asking if she was okay. She smiled weakly and nodded. “Sounds like fun. Lead on, Cass.”
Sean stopped her with his hand on her shoulder and leaned in to kiss her. “Thanks for understanding.”
“It’s no big deal. I like seeing you do your thing.”
She followed Cass to a table toward the front of the room, where several of the executives that she’d seen Sean with earlier were already seated. There was also the husband of Sean’s costar. He was making small talk with the execs and Paisley got a glimpse of what her life might be if she and Sean made this work.
Apparently she was going to have to do this kind of thing at all the movie parties. She smiled at the others and decided that this was a good test to see if she was up to it. But deep down, she was nervous and didn’t really know what to do. Then she remembered Sean jumping in at Mrs. B’s and decorating cookies, and singing karaoke with Dante and Nolan. This was her trial by fire. Her chance to prove to herself that she wanted to be more than his Christmas fling.
“Hi, I’m Lorenzo,” the costar’s husband said in a lovely Spanish accent.
“Paisley—I’m with Sean.”
“I noticed,” he said with a smile. He introduced her around the table and she found that conversation went easily, and then the song ended and Sean and his costar—Desi—stepped up on a raised dais.