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Jason fell quiet on the other end of the line. “Friends, huh?”
“Friends,” she remarked casually. Glaring at the flowers, Carrie A
“I like the sound of that.”
Even with a warm measure of charm pouring from Jason’s voice, she didn’t feel the slightest tingle of interest. Not one zing. Guilt reared its ugly and unflattering head. Make it clear…friends only! Her typically poised date routine morphed into a ramble. “Would it be too much to ask if we just keep it simple…for right now. See how things go? I’ll be consumed for the next week, and honestly, I get so bogged down, all of my energy—”
“Carrie A
She had to laugh at his sarcasm. “That would be great. Six o’clock?”
“Six it is.”
*
A-listers arrived by car, feeding the frenzy of flashing lights and screeches of exhilaration from fans, press and paparazzi. Carrie A
Not wanting to draw attention to her girls, Carrie A
Their conversation flowed easily, chatting it up with other guests waiting for staff to usher them in groups down the Red Carpet, spreading out the excitement. Jason was polite, attentive, and very admiring, hitting all the fine-tuned points a date needed to make a good impression. The man had what Carrie A
Fortunately, the Cinema staff came with impeccable timing and arrived right on cue to save her from sharing a personal story of her mother’s death, a story she rarely shared.
Stepping into the lime light, Carrie A
They stopped several times, managing to get in a few selfies along the Red Carpet. Carrie A
Hearing shrills of excitement erupt in the distance sent a cautionary warning ping to her chest as autograph seekers called out for Ryan and his co-star Jessy. She automatically teetered on her tip toes, stretching her neck in the direction of the strobe of photogs, but couldn’t see anything through the cluster of press.
Once inside the Cinema, the insanity hushed to a low roar and scent of buttered popcorn permeated the air. Carrie A
“Hey,” Shayla croaked, choking on her popcorn seeing Jason at her side.
Carrie A
“It’s a madhouse out there. You look amazing. Great dress,” Carrie A
“The crowd is crazy!” John agreed, pressing a friendly kiss to her cheek before extending a hand to Jason. “John Mathews.”
“Jason, Jason Calver. Nice to meet you.
“This is my wife, Shayla.”
Shayla squashed the bewilderment forged into the groove between her brows before greeting Jason. “Pleasure to meet you. Carrie A
John’s eyes beaded and a rogue smile filled his handsome face. The man had a gift for reading people and judging by the snarky gleam in his eye, he knew exactly why Carrie A
No arm candy.
An awkward twinge fired off in the pit of her stomach. She fidgeted a bit, squaring her shoulders to adjust her posture. Why the hell am I even feeling the slightest bit of guilt for bringing Jason? The man had his chance years ago and blew it.
“You look lovely this evening, Carrie A
His protective tone, considerate and caring, indicating Shayla had already mentioned her meltdown over the roses. The couple didn’t keep secrets and told each other everything. Truth be told, Carrie A
“I’m good.” Her tender smile acting as a thank you. “You look very debonair this evening.”
“Ha! Debonair? I don’t think that’s a category I fall under. The boys said they made some cash off you the other day.”
“They sure did. I was just happy not to have to endure a tarantula sighting.”
Focus all but obliterated, Carrie A