“Thank you.” She pauses as if she wants to say something else, but then sighs. “We better get going or we’ll be late.”
I nod, and slowly stand up and then take her hand, helping her off the couch. Right before we get to the door she stops me, “Hey wait a sec, I need to do your tie.”
“Oh yeah,” I stammer, embarrassed. “I’m no good at these things.”
“Well, I am,” she says softly as the steps up close to me and begins maneuvering the two strips of fabric.
I look down at her. She’s so focused on what she is doing that it gives me the opportunity to stare. Her skin is luminous and her shiny lips slowly part as her hands flutter with the bow tie just under my chin. I’m so drawn to her that I don’t know how I’m going to get through a whole evening without touching her continuously.
When we arrive, Brooke’s movie star beauty is apparent to everyone. As we step out of the limo one of the security managers tries to usher us into the red carpet line. We notice our colleagues heading directly into the theater and we end up having to convince them that we aren’t actors and aren’t supposed to walk the red carpet.
Right before we step inside we are led to an area where we pose for press pictures. I gently slide my hand around the back of Brooke’s waist until I wrap my fingers along her side and pull her closer. I feel incredibly proud to be here with her. My smile is genuine as the flash captures us right as she looks up at me and smiles.
The energy in the air’s exciting but once we’re seated and the ceremony starts it gets dull pretty quickly. I don’t watch much TV so the nominees and shows don’t mean much to me. I only spark up when it’s announced that the animation category is coming after the commercial break.
“Are you nervous? I know we’re favored to win,” I say, searching her face for anxiety. If I were her I’d be a wreck.
“Yeah,” she admits, twisting her hands.
“You’ll do great, you’re a natural. I reach over and squeeze her hand and she smiles warmly.
“I’m glad you’re the one here with me, Nathan.”
My heart’s pounding when our category finally comes up, and two actors start announcing the nominees. When they announce Danny Deletes as the winner, Brooke looks over at me beaming and as we rise out of our seats, I give her a big hug. I don’t sit back down until I know she is safely down the aisle and up the stairs to the stage.
She looks amazingly composed considering that I felt her trembling when I hugged her. Damn, she’s beautiful. I’m so mesmerized watching her that I don’t clearly hear her speech at first, something about accepting for the artist that created the show. But right before she ends, it seems like she’s searching for me in the audience. Her words cut right through me.
“This is for the animation artists who quietly put their hearts and souls into their work to create magic for us all. I’m honored to be a part of their world.”
I take a sharp breath and fall back against my seat. I can’t believe the way she makes me feel. Every time I think it isn’t possible that she could do or say anything to make me love her more, she proves me wrong.
She gives me a shy smile as she settles back into her seat. I lean in closer to her.
“Congratulations, Brooke. You were amazing up there.”
“Thanks. I think your Starbucks cup drawing brought me good luck.”
I smile warmly at her and whisper, “And just for the record, I’m honored to be part of your world.”
Luckily the hair guy, Bradley, had warned me how boring award ceremonies can get, so I came prepared. Well into the second hour, I pull out my mini-sketch pad and pencil and start drawing little caricatures for Brooke of the different people that we see on stage. She almost laughs out loud at the one of Ellen DeGeneres dancing with one of the guys from Glee.
When the ceremony torture is over we head over to the Governor’s Ball for what appears to be formal dinner torture. Even though Arnold’s an ass for abandoning Brooke, I’m starting to see why he didn’t mind missing this endless event and all the industry small talk required. Everyone is standing around having cocktails, so I leave Brooke with some people from Disney Animation to go get us drinks at the bar.
When I finally get back there’s some good looking guy standing too close to Brooke and handing her his card. I grip my drink so hard I’m lucky the glass doesn’t shatter. As I step up he looks at me and takes his cue.
“Okay Brooke, call me next week and we’ll have lunch.”
I wish I were one of those guys who could just haul off and punch him, instead I watch him walk away.
“Who’s that?” I ask carefully.
“Richard’s from Disney. He says he wants to meet with me about a potential joint project between the studios for charity.” She glances at me, watching to see my reaction. I can tell she isn’t completely convinced of his motives either.
“Yeah, I bet he wants to meet with you. Are you going to go?” I hand her the drink.
“I don’t know.”
I feel a wave of nausea wash over me. It’s one thing to know she’s with Arnold, but if she starts seeing another man too, I know I won’t be able to handle it. But before anything can get even more tense and awkward, Gene from Nickelodeon joins us and the industry banter starts up again. I just want to get the hell out of here.
When it is time to be seated Brooke looks at me and seems to sense that I’m at the end of my rope.
“Hey, are you all right?”
I nod, not wanting to reveal the jealous beast that is burning inside of me.
She takes my hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
“Are you sure? What about the people you should be talking to?”
“I don’t care about that. I’ve done my bit. Let’s go get a burger.” She grins and my heart soars. I whip out my cell phone and call our driver.
Once in the limo we crack open the chilled champagne and clink glasses before settling back into our seats. Due to traffic and construction it’s a slow drive back, so by the time we get to In-N-Out we’re already buzzed.
There’s nothing like the vision of Brooke in her evening gown, perched in a plastic seat, waiting for me to bring her a Double-Double, animal style. The Emmy sits grandly on the Formica-topped table. I can only imagine what the other diners think of us, but I don’t care.
I undo my tie and the top few buttons of my dress shirt so I can breath. We laugh as we eat, her doing goofy impressions of the speeches while I draw the corresponding caricatures in my little sketchpad. More than once she takes a napkin and wipes the ketchup off my chin. This is how I like my Brooke. This is how we should always be.
We’re even more boisterous in the limo ride back to her house. We finish off the champagne and put our feet up so we are practically lying down. I open up the skylight so we can look at the stars. Something about the vastness of the night sky makes me feel like anything is possible.
When we reach her house I sign for the driver and walk her to the door.
“Thanks for letting me take you Brooke…” I start, hopeful that this isn’t goodbye.
“You’re not leaving yet!” she laughs as she takes my hand and drags me in. “I have some wine open in the fridge.”
Yes! I follow as she pulls me along.
She hands me the bottle while she grabs two glasses and we head back to the living room. I notice she’s walking a little funny.
“Are you okay?” I slide off my jacket and drop it over the edge of a chair.
“Yeah, it’s just my feet are killing me. I can’t wait to get these shoes off.” She lowers herself onto the couch as I uncork the bottle and pour the wine. I hand her a glass and watch her lips skim the edge as she takes a sip.
“We need some music,” she suggests as she settles against the cushions. “Do you have your iPod with you? I don’t want to get up and look for mine.”