Page 305 of Sweet Nightmare

Fuck, no.

Queens look like her.

For a moment, the entire venue seems to hold its breath and then the applause erupts.

People gasp. Cameras flash. Whispers of admiration ripple through the crowd.

Me?

I fucking stand up.

“YOU GO, ARTEMIS!”

I clap so hard my hands start hurting.

“THAT’S MY GIRL!”

Louder.

Again.

Again.

I don’t give a single fuck who hears me.

I’m not doing it to impress her. I’m not doing it for the cameras or the billionaires sitting around me. I’m doing it because that’s my girl out there, and if the world is going to stand and admire her, then I’m going to be the loudest motherfucker in the room.

The actress beside me bursts out laughing. “Oh my God! That’s so romantic!”

I barely hear her.

A whistle escapes me.

Someone behind me starts clapping harder. Then another person joins in, and another. Within seconds, the applause swells until the entire venue is roaring.

Artemis reaches the middle of the runway.

And then… she smiles.

She fucking smiles.

A real smile.

My smile.

I swear to God, I’m having a fucking heart attack.

Then, as if she can feel me watching her, her gorgeous eyes find mine in the front row.

Hundreds of people separate us. Cameras flash between us. Thousands of lights illuminate her face.

And yet, somehow, she finds me.

Me.

I’m one lucky fucker.

Her expression changes instantly.