his chest so she couldn't see.
“This one doesn't get boxed,” he stated.
Stunned, she recoiled, trying to cover her hurt quickly, so he wouldn't notice. “I'm sorry, I didn't realize…”
“You don't need to apologize. It's not like you knew.” He ran his bottom lip between his teeth. “My mom doesn't ever get boxed, that's all.”
Arial winced. “I'm so sorry, Bryce. I should have been paying more attention to what I was doing.” She'd only glimpsed the picture and didn't bother to process what was on it, assuming it had been yet another image of him and Katie. Not something she wanted to look at. Now she was mentally kicking herself for not being more careful.
He shook his head. “Like I said, you don't need to apologize. No harm was done. Even if she found her way in, I would have gotten her out eventually, as soon as I noticed I couldn't find her.”
If Arial's heart wasn't breaking for him before, it was now. Once again, she was at a loss for words. Losing a mother was not something she could relate too. She gave his arm a small squeeze before going to box up the books and magazines he had lying across the coffee table in front of the couch. Those were safer and without so much sentimental value attached to them.
“Thanks again for helping me with this,” he said softly. “I'm sure you need to be going now.”
She boxed up the magazines she held in her hands and then smoothed out her shirt. That was about as close as Bryce could get to kicking her out without actually telling her to leave. “I suppose I should,” she whispered.
Before she could start walking to the door, he grabbed her forearm firmly, yet there was a tenderness in his grasp as well. He waited until their eyes met before speaking. “I promise you, this won't be the last time you see me. Neither will the party.”
The corners of her lips twitched upward into a tiny smile. “Good, because I would miss you terribly.”
“I don't want to lose you either.”
“You won't. You can't.” She offered him a small wave before leaving the trailer.
Chapter Two
Parties were not Arial's usual scene. The wrap party was an essential part of the business, and she dutifully attended them for all of her projects. Hardly ever did she stay for the whole thing. Tonight, however, she was actually looking forward to the event. Not just because Bryce had said he'd come, but also because the cast and crew of Three Wishes had grown to be her family, offering her a home away from home. It wasn't easy being on the other side of the country from her parents. She might be an adult, but she still felt the lack of their presence. Getting used to the idea of them being so far away had not been easy. They did so many small things for her that she never appreciated until they were apart. For example, she especially wished her mother was there to help her get ready, so she could have someone to share the moment with.
Arial had picked out the dress for the event over a month ago. She'd chosen a pale yellow chiffon cocktail dress that had a ruched bodice decorated with silver rhinestones. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline. The soft color looked nice against her tanned skin, but what she loved the most about it was the way it made her appear a woman instead of a teenager, without going overboard. There was a fine line between conservative and boring. She was happy not to cross it and keep hold of her values.
She hummed while putting on a pair of long, dangling earrings studded with diamonds. The way they fell reminded her of a waterfall, which was the only reason she had bought them in the first place. Expensive jewelry was not something she purchased a lot. Any time she went to a special event or walked a red carpet, a designer donated a piece to display. She had gotten that particular pair of earrings herself a couple years back solely for special occasions. The after party definitely qualified as such.
Makeup applied and her silver heels on, she was ready to go. A black town car waited for her outside of her Los Angeles apartment building. Driving did not appeal to her tonight. The press would be there in droves to catch sight of all the celebrities who would be in attendance at