Page 98 of The Likelihood Of You
And still, with so many distractions, my eyes don’t move an inch from her.
After a few more seconds of being statues, we shuffle down the carpet and speak to a few reporters, but ultimatley eager to head for the drinks reception. That was where we caught up with Addy.
“You guys!!” Addy cried, her freshly bobbed hair swishing neatly as she bounded over to us with a martini glass in her hand. “You both look incredible!” She and Flo leapt into an embrace, squealing as they did, before she turned and hugged me.
“You look good too, Add’s. Where’s Nate?”
I noticed how her smile dropped slightly, her eyes dulling, but only for a second. “Oh…uh, he’s already in his seat." She nodded towards the theatre doors. “Said he’s not feeling great.”
We both nodded at her, before she excused herself and left us to head to the bar before the premiere officially started.
“THERE! Right there! Did you see it? That was my frigging name!” She whisper-shouted right down my ear before melting back into the velvet theatre seat and diving back into her nearly empty popcorn tub. “What is my life right now? I’m definitely screenshotting that and hanging it behind the register when the bakery opens.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at how her giddy smile wasn’t budging from her face, basking in how oddly proud I was of her. Sure, my name was the first one to appear in the credits, but my girlfriend’s name was arguably more important than that.
“Better or worse than the first one?” I asked, stealing the tub from her.
“Better, one million percent. I have a soft spot for the first one, after the drive-in night, but this…it was amazing, Jacob. I’m so proud of you.” she whispered before reaching her lips up and pressing them gently on my cheek.
Her seal of approval meant more than any award nomination ever could.
“Well, I’m proud of you too, twenty-fourth listed assistant.”
“Me too.” She said, dishing me a wink.
My head pinged forward again once the eruption of applause from the audition started. I got a few claps on the back from the guys behind me, who were actors I’d mingled with during the last premier who’d recognised me tonight. While my head was turned, I tried to spot Nate, but his seat was empty…and so was Addy’s. I didn’t question it for long, though, as my attention was back on Florence in a heartbeat when I caught her on her phone, her face looking paler than it had a second ago.
“What’s up?” I asked, my heartbeat picking up gradually, my mind running wild with what could have dulled her glow so quickly. She turned her head to face me; it was riddled with worry, which did nothing for my speeding heart.
“Did you know about this?” She asked in a hushed tone, whilst passing me her phone.
“Know about what-”
With each word my eyes hovered over, things suddenly started clicking into place. Flo gripped my hand tighter, like she knew as well as I did what this meant for us.
