entire evening behind me and hopefully leave with whatever dignity I still had left. I thought I felt his eyes watching me walk away, but I was too chicken to turn around and check.
In my haste to flee, I almost ran straight into the famous actress Dame Helena Lynch. “Oh, do slow down, dear!” she called out.
“I’m so sorry!” But there was no chance of that, even though now I’d nearly taken down a national treasure on the same night I bickered with Noah Douglas and then humiliated myself in front of him.
When I got backstage, my whole body sighed with relief. I was done. Safe. I bet if I asked Allan, he would pull some strings and keep me backstage. I could not go out into the audience again.
Although . . . what did I think was going to happen? What was I feeling so worried about? I’d told myself that it was my concern for Shelby, but nothing had happened. She was fine and I hadn’t been caught breaking any of the rules. So why had my insides tangled themselves up in knots?
I grabbed one of the free water bottles and acknowledged that I was scared that Noah and I had just shared a moment. Of the romantic variety. Which was so dumb, because Noah was dating the Bride of the Mummy, and he would obviously never be interested in someone like me. I was the girl picked last for sports teams. The one who didn’t get asked to the prom. I was always on the outside looking in. Not to mention that we’d just spent our entire evening being rude to each other. That wasn’t exactly a recipe for romance.
Not that I’d go out with him, even if he asked. I didn’t date.
I then reminded myself that he didn’t know my name, so odds were I was getting worked up over absolutely nothing. Plus, I’d be so out of my depth that I would need scuba gear.
But what if . . . what if I could be with Noah Douglas, or someone like him, and not feel terrified the entire time? Wouldn’t that be something?
I approached Allan. “Is it okay if I just hang out back here for a while? Can I be your last resort after you’ve put everyone else to work?”
He nodded, looking concerned. “Sure thing. You okay?”
“Yeah.” I smiled, even though I felt like a fraud because I was still shaken up and was definitely not okay. My pulse had just finally returned to normal. “Everything’s fine. My back just hurts a little.” Along with my pride.
“I’ll let you know if I need you. And if I didn’t say it before, thanks for helping out tonight. You know how much it means to Shelby.”
“I do.” I wondered if he did. If he understood how truly awful his mother was. Because he’d grown up with her, and her craziness probably seemed normal to him, so he wouldn’t be able to recognize how bad it was. But now was not the time to ask him about it.
It was time to hide myself in a corner and watch the rest of the event on the giant monitor hanging on the wall behind me. I found an abandoned folding chair and watched as a few more winners were given their little statues. My ears perked up when the host said it was time for the Best Actor award.
They announced all the nominees and cut to each one of them for a reaction shot. I caught my breath when they zoomed in on Noah, who looked a bit sheepish and was clapping for his fellow nominees.
The envelope was opened and . . . Noah didn’t win. Chase Covington did instead. Noah leaned forward to slap him on the shoulder in congratulations while Chase kissed his very pretty wife seated next to him.
Why did I feel so disappointed? I was being so weird tonight.
I was getting hungry again when Allan stopped by to check on me. I assured him I was still fine, and he handed me a package of M&M’s, which I took gratefully. “Shelby said I needed to keep you well fed.”
“This is why you’re my favorite out of all Shelby’s fiancés.”
That made him laugh, and he put a hand up to cover one of his ears, presumably to hear better. He pointed at his headphones, waved at me, and then went back over to the curtain as another commercial break started up.