Chapter Twenty-Nine

"So how are you feeling with all of this?" Willow asks as she shifts a piece of hair in my side updo. Her nose is crinkled as she concentrates.

"I'm feeling okay, I guess. Maybe even good. Kind of excited. But nervous at the same time," I answer, hesitating after each thought as I try to sort out exactly how I'm feeling.

"I'd say that sounds like how you should be feeling." Willow twists a strand of hair around her finger.

"Uh, Willow?"

"Mhm," Willow says, biting her lip.

"You know I had professionals do my hair and makeup. I think it's good."

"I know, but I'm not going for good. I'm going for perfect. Just a few more touchups," she reaches behind her and grabs the brush off the table.

I quickly jump up out of my chair. "Absolutely not. I sat here for hours and I'm not about to sit here for hours more because you tried to attack my hair with that brush. We're good."

Willow lets out a breath. "Fiiiiiine," she says, but she still has the brush poised up in the air only a few inches from my head.

"Put the brush down," I say as I grab her arm and lower it to the table. Willow slowly steps back from me.

"Weapon disengaged," she responds as she throws her hands up into the air to show me they're empty. She sits on the couch behind me. "Now, tell me how you feel about Archer going to this with you."

"Um, well, I don't really think I feel anything about it. I mean we're on tour together. It kind of makes sense." I shrug.

"You know, it's going to spark even more rumors that you're together. Are you ready for that? With everything that's been happening?"

"Would you believe me if I said that it is what it is?" I ask.

"If I didn't know you as well as I did, maybe. But I one hundred percent know that you aren't actually feeling that way."

"True. I guess I'm just trying to not think too much about it and enjoy the night."

"So, have you decided what exactly you and Archer are?" Willow pushes.

I honestly want her to drop the subject so I can relax but I know she won't until she gets her answer.

"No, I don't. And I don't really plan on figuring that out tonight." I give her a stern look trying to convince her to move on.

She nods her head taking the hint. "So what after party are you going to?"

Archer snakes his arm around my waist. I easily lean into him, needing the stability. I'm fighting for my life trying to prevent my nerves from getting the best of me.

"Regretting agreeing to this?" Archer whispers in my ear.

"Maybe just a little bit," I nervously giggle.

"You'll do great, trust me. And I'll be right there with you every step of the way." He leans over and kisses me on the side of my head right above my ear.

Shivers run through my body but this time it isn't from nerves.

"Presenting the next award is singer/songwriter Alison Quick and breakout artist Archer Stiles," a loud voice booms through the room.

I quickly steal a glance at Archer. His smile fills his entire face. I smile back at him. As much as I am nervous, he must be excited with this being his first award show.

He puts his arm out for me to take. I wrap my hand around it and let him guide me out to the stage. He keeps us at a steady but safe pace. I need to remember to thank him for that later. Falling flat on my face in front of all these people would not be something I'd ever forget. Pretty sure I'd have to disappear on some deserted island to live out the rest of my days.

Once we reach the microphone, he takes a step back letting me take the lead.

"Hello everyone," I try to say confidently into the microphone. "We're so happy to be here to present the award for female artist of the year."

I smile over at Archer.

"Yes, this is probably the coolest thing I have ever done. Well, second to performing with you of course." He smiles at me and bumps my hip with his.

I try not to blush but I'm sure my face is on the verge of looking like a freshly ripened cherry. "Thanks. I have to say, performing with you has been a real," I pause, "treat." I'm greeted with laughter from the audience.

"A sweet treat I hope." Archer winks.

"To be determined." I smile out at the audience. "Anyway, shall we present this award?"

"What a rush!" Archer is bouncing up and down on his heels as we wait backstage to get back to our seats.

"That's one way to think of it," I laugh as I keep my eyes on him. He's like a puppy waiting for someone to throw the tennis ball. I'm pretty sure he could run laps around this building.

"Don't get me wrong, it was terrifying but in a good way." Archer's head is practically spinning around on his neck as he takes in everything around him.

"I can agree with the terrifying part," I respond.

Archer turns his eyes to me. "Did that really make you that nervous? You go up on stage in front of thousands of people and perform for hours. This seems like it should feel like nothing compared to that."

"I mean, that would make sense, but it's different. I don't know how to explain it. When I'm up on stage at my shows, there's always some nerves, but that's my element, you know? This is it's own animal," I say as I gesture to everything around us. "Reading from a script live in front of a bazillion people is probably my worst nightmare."

"Well, I think you handled it beautifully. You were nothing but grace up there." Archer smiles down at me.

A snort laugh comes out at him describing me as graceful. I quickly throw my hand up, covering my mouth in embarrassment. "Oh my gosh. Can this night get any worse? I think it's time for me to go home before someone catches my next mishap on tape and spreads it everywhere."

"Well, I hate to burst your bubble, my dear, but you still have an award to win."

"I'm not sure if your confidence in me is endearing or annoying," I point out, biting my bottom lip.

"I guess we'll just have to find out," he says as he grabs my hand and starts leading us towards the stage exit.

Archer and I are back in our front row seats, watching an artist perform. I bob along to the music, enjoying the show. I love these kinds of award shows. It's like going to a concert featuring a ton of different artists.

I steal a peek at Archer and quickly turn my head back. He's staring at me with that sexy smirk on his face.

"Stop," I say as I continue dancing.

"Stop what?" I glance back at Archer who has a fake innocent look on his face.

"Stop watching me like that."

"Like what?" Archer says as he leans closer to me.

"Like that!" I say as a I motion towards his face. "That smirk."

He leans until his lips are almost touching my ear. "Oh, sorry. I have a soft spot for pretty girls dancing."

I can feel myself start to blush. I stop dancing and stare at the stage in front of me, trying not to move. "Who are you and what have you done with Archer Stiles?" I finally respond.

"Sorry. It's just, you look amazing tonight. Your dress. The red lip. Classic." He pauses for a second. "I can't help but stare."

I feel myself blushing even more. "Okay, well stop it. I need to stay focused. Not to mention, there are cameras everywhere."

Archer nods his head and then straightens, putting some distance between us.

"Got it," he says and lifts his hand in a small salute. I roll my eyes and laugh.

"Can I compliment you after the show? In private?"

I slap him on the shoulder. "Archer, I swear."

He just laughs and starts clapping for the artist that just finished performing. I steal another quick glance over at him and can't help but smile.

This is a different Archer. A more confident Archer. I don't know where he came from but I must say, I kind of like him.

"This is it!" Archer whispers in my ear as he wraps his hand around mine.

I quickly look up to the stage to see what's going on, clearly distracted with my thoughts of Archer.

"And the award goes to . . ." the presenter opens the envelope "Alison Quick!"

My jaw drops. I hear clapping and cheering coming from every angle, but everything sounds muffled.

"Go!" Archer says. "Go get your award!" He's looking at me with a smile that stretches from ear to ear. I nod and start walking towards the stage.

Don't fall. Don't fall. Don't fall.

Once I survive the staircase, I head towards the presenter. The room is still bursting with noise. I gratefully take the award from the presenter and give him a quick nod, then turn toward the mic in front of me.

I only let myself pause for a second and breathe this all in before I start speaking.

"Wow, this. This is amazing." I hold up the award, fighting back tears. "I want to say thank you to everyone involved. I couldn't have done this without you. To my fans for always supporting me and being the reason why I'm standing here right now. Thank you to my family and my friends for always having my back. For being with me on this crazy but fantastic ride. I couldn't have done it without you guys." I look down at the award in my hand—something I've dreamt about my entire life. In that instant, I realize who I'm the most excited to celebrate with. "And thank you to my new and insanely talented partner-in-crime, Archer Stiles." I blow a kiss in his direction and turn to head backstage without watching the reaction. There's only one person's reaction I care to see anyway.