eat anything now or I’ll have a bump and the media will start all that stupid stuff up again about me being pregnant.”
Ayla held up a cup with a straw. “You can have water.”
“Then I’ll have to pee, and there is no way that’s going to happen without a team of people helping me.”
The door into her bedroom opened and Ben emerged, his expression dubious.
“You sure I look okay in this tux?”
He wore the classic black and white version with a blue bow tie that matched her dress. His beard had been trimmed and shaped and the curls in his hair tamed.
“I feel like I’m at prom.” He grimaced and rubbed a finger over his neck. “And I hate not having my hat.”
Silver placed her palm over her heart and stared at him. “You look . . . beautiful. Who would’ve guessed you’d clean up so well?”
She knew how much he hated accompanying her to movie star things, but he’d agreed to be pampered and dressed for this occasion, and looked so fine, she wanted to jump his bones. Which she couldn’t do because the corset of the dress was holding her upright like steel armor.
She walked over to him, her high heels making her feel tall, and he took her in with a comprehensive gaze from head to toe.
“You’re the one who looks beautiful.” He smiled as she readjusted his tie. “I suppose I can’t touch?”
“Correct.” She ran her finger along his lower lip. “But whatever happens tonight I promise you can undress me later, and I’ll even keep my shoes on just for you.”
“Just the shoes?”
“If you like.” She smiled into his eyes. “God, I’m so nervous I want to puke.”
He held her gaze. “It’s going to be fine. Everyone is rooting for you back home.”
She shrugged. “Well, if the whole of Morgan Valley wants me to win an Oscar then how can I lose?”
“Your mom and dad called to say they’ll be sitting up and watching the ceremony in England and to send you their love.”
It had taken a while for Silver to establish a new relationship with her dad, but with her mom and Ben’s help, he’d eventually come around and stepped back. He and Alva were currently on a tour of Europe and weren’t expected back for at least another two months.
There was a knock on the door of the suite and Ayla went to answer it. She returned with two security guards, and a woman bearing a jewelry book.
“Miss Meadows? I have your jewelry.”
Ayla signed the paperwork and took possession of the box. “Thank you so much. We will make sure to return it tomorrow.”
“Jeez...” Ben breathed as Silver opened the lid and revealed a sapphire and diamond set comprising earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and twenty gem-studded hairpins. “How much is that worth?”
“It’s probably best not to know,” Silver said. “Just pray that I don’t lose anything, or we’ll literally be selling the ranch.” She looked over at Ayla. “Can you see if Shareem is still there? I need her to put the hairpins in place.”
“Sure.” Ayla disappeared deeper into the enormous suite and Silver turned to Ben.
“Can you help me with the rest of it?”
She moved to stand in front of the floor-length mirror and he stood behind her. His hands looked huge as he fumbled with the clasp of the necklace before placing it carefully around her throat.
“You look like an ice princess.” He daringly kissed her neck. “You did say you could keep these until tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, why?”
“Just thinking about later....” He winked and she smiled back at him in the mirror.
“Of course, I might be a sobbing mess sitting in my bathrobe eating dairy-free ice cream straight out of the tub.”
“Which is also fine, as long as you share.” He bent over her wrist as he fastened the bracelet. “I don’t care if you win or lose, you know that.”
“I do, and I love you for that, but I really want to win this one,” Silver confided.
“You’ve already got all the critical acclaim for your performance as Minnie, and no one doubts you can act your socks off.” Ben held her gaze. “The movie has won every other award out there, both in the U.S. and the rest of the world. You’ve done okay, kid. You really have.”
She risked a kiss on his nose and then backed away as Shareem came to deal with the placement of the hairpins. She hadn’t looked at the clock for ages, and Ben