26. Not Ready

26

Not Read y

Auston

“Sorry,” I mutter to Emma once I leave my last red-carpet interview. “It’s always a little crazy at premieres.”

“Don’t worry,” she says with a smile. “I get it. It’s part of the job.”

I breathe a shallow sigh. “Yeah.”

With the red-carpet theatrics out of the way, we follow Robyn and Cillian inside the theater. Everyone greets me, stopping me for a chat, and I have to oblige. That’s what I’m here for, after all.

“The movie will start soon. The n, we’ll be in the clear,” I whisper to Emma.

“Wait.” She turns toward me. “If you never actually watch the movie, what are we going to do? Are we going home?”

I shake my head. “No. I have to show up at the end, but we’ll sneak out during the screening.”

That’s the moment I’m looking forward to most. Some alone time with Emma.

Finally, everyone takes their seats, and it’s time for Jerry, the director, my co-star, Jennifer, and me to say a few words about the movie. A loud round of applause fills the theater, and most of my co-stars slip out through the side door, flanked by their security and assistants. I grab Emma’s hand and follow them. As we step through the door, I try to breathe normally, pretending those sparks that start flying every time we touch are normal, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

“We’re going to get something to eat,” Jennifer says to Emma and me. “Are you guys coming?”

I glance at Emma, who just shrugs. “Nah,” I say. “We’ll catch up with you later.”

I turn to Robyn and Cillian. “You guys can go ahead and watch the movie, if you want. We’ll stay in the cinema.”

Cillian narrows his eyes, but I g ive him a pointed look, and he agrees.

I come to this theater every time I have a premiere in New York, whether for one of my movies or someone else’s, so I know it pretty well. I lead Emma to the concession stands, and her eyes sparkle.

“Oh, I like the way you think.”

I chuckle. “Candy or chocolate?”

She tilts her head to the side. “Both?”

We tour the candy displays, placing everything that looks delicious in our bag, and soon it’s crammed full.

“Do you think we have enough?” I joke.

She hesitates, then nods. “Yeah. We’ll survive on this.”

Laughing, I take her hand again, and we pass through a few doors until we find the empty room I was looking for. Well, it’s more of a supply closet. But no one will bother us here.

“I wasn’t expecting this,” Emma says, glancing around the room of infinite shelves.

“Not the glamorous date you’d expect with Auston Buckley, huh? Please don’t rat me out.”

She chuckles, taking her black stilettos off. “Cross my heart. I just need to get out of these torture devices. Please, next time I come with you to an event, can it be a beach bash or a pajama party? High heels are not my thing.”

“I’ll see what I can do. And I know what you mean. I can’t wait to get out of this tux. Actually, I probably should. Don’t want it to get wrinkled.”

“Um?” Emma says, a hint of panic in her voice.

I take my jacket off and hook it on one of the shelves. “Now, let me find us something to sit on. The floor looks clean enough, but it might be dusty.”

After a quick search, I find two cardboard boxes, flatten them, and place them on the floor.

“Romantic, isn’t it?” I say with a smirk.

“Oh, yeah.” She chuckles as I help her sit down. “Okay, pass the candy. That’s what I’m really here for.”

I shake my head nonchalantly. “Just when I thought I finally had a shot with you. There she goes, breaking my heart again.”

She shrugs, smoothing out her dress. “What can I say? There are KitKat bars in that bag.”

With a laugh, I place the bag between us, and we start our sugar feast.

Two hours and a rousing conversation comparing books to movies later, the bag is almost empty.

“Wow,” she says, patting her belly. “I didn’t think we had it in us.”

“Are you kidding?” I say, pro pping myself on my hand to lean in closer. “Have you no faith? Of course we did. We’re a good team.”

Our pinkies brush, and the tension in the air thickens. At this moment, I want nothing more than to capture her tantalizing lips with mine. I’ve been dreaming of kissing her again for the past ten years. Our eyes meet, and there’s something different in hers. Something freer. Maybe her walls have finally crumbled?

Just when I decide to make a move, she clears her throat, breaking the spell. “Um, should we get back? The movie will be over soon, right?”

“Yes.” I shake my head into focus. “You’re right. Let’s go.” I spring to my feet and help her up.

It’s all in your head, Auston. She’s not there yet. And as much as it pains me to admit it, she might never be.

Emma

I was so close to kissing Auston earlier. So close I could almost feel his lips on mine, but then I chickened out. And now I regret it. He’s been the perfect gentleman, not pushing me into anything, even when there’s a chance he’s interested in something more. I want more. At least, I think I do. But I’m not ready yet. I don’t know if I ever will be.

“Are you okay?” he asks, stealing glances at me as we meander down an empty Warlington Lane.

“Yeah.” I try for a forced smile, but Auston’s kind eyes and concerned expression pull a real one out of me. “I am. Sorry, I was just in my head. I had a fun night. Thanks for taking me.”

His lips tilt into a smile—that annoyingly perfect smile that sends me to another planet whenever I glimpse it. “I’m glad. Looks like the dusty janitor closet was a hit after all.”

“Definitely.” I chuckle as we approach my building. “Who needs romantic dinners and flowers?”

He laughs, running a hand over his stubble. “I’ll remember that. And thanks for coming with me. These things aren’t always fun, but tonight was.” His deep gaze plunges into mine, and I feel trapped. Which is silly. We’re outside, and he’s not even standing that close to me. But suddenly, it’s like walls are closing in around me, and there’s nowhere else to go. Even weirder? I don’t want to go. I want to clench the collar of his shirt and bring him closer. I want to run my hands through his hair while he kisses my neck. I want him to hold me tight and tell me he’ll never let me go. But instead, I freeze.

His eyebrows draw together, and h e opens his mouth, but I beat him to it.

“So, um. I’d better go. I have a busy day tomorrow, and I’m kind of tired. Been walking in these all night,” I say, glancing at my stilettos and the worst excuse in the world.

“No worries,” he says, placing his hands in his pockets. But I can see his shoulders have slumped a notch. I hate having that effect on him, but I can’t help it. I just can’t do this. “Have a good night.”

“You too,” I peep.

Without sparing a glance back, I unlock the front door and hurry up the stairs to my apartment.