Lake in more than a century, and literally the first actual movie premiere ever.
Of course they were going to do it right.
Someone on the outside opened the door for her to get out. Her sisters had helped her choose an evening gown. They were also the ones who convinced her this thing should be a black-tie affair.
Wyatt stayed near her but a step back, making it clear this night was about her, not him. When he did speak, he talked about how amazing he thought she was and how he couldn’t wait to see the movie, but didn’t answer any questions about baseball, the reality show, or where they’d been those days in Ravenzario.
The Padovanos decided to cut their time on the yacht short, saying Lizbeth’s morning sickness couldn’t handle being at sea. Privately, Madi thought it had to do with Wyatt being there - they’d even offered to leave instead, but the Padovanos insisted. The next couple of days had been more subdued than the first one, but spending time with Nicklaus and Yvette had been nice.
The flights home had taken another eternity and had been filled with weather delays, but they finally made it home two days before the premiere.
Making it from the curb to the door of the resort took nearly half an hour. Why were major sports networks there? Just to see what Wyatt might say? To his credit, he didn’t give them anything about his career, just about her and the movie.
Once inside, she could only breathe a slight sigh of relief. The cameras from the show were still on them. The crowd mingled in the back of the ballroom. The front half held seats where they’d all watch the movie. A few of them, Madi included, would do a Q&A panel afterward.
Mia walked over and gave her a hug. “You look fabulous, and I’m sure you did amazing on the red carpet.”
“Thanks.”
She should mingle, but Madi stayed closer to her comfort zone with her family members. All four of her siblings and their spouses joined her and Wyatt. Eventually, Claire and her husband, Kevin, joined them as well as Pete Barker and his wife, Princess Evangeline of Eyjania.
Christopher and Julia Bayfield were there, but not purely as guests. Christopher would be moderating the Q&A then doing the final interview for the show after everyone else left.
Then they’d be free of the cameras and crew and being asked to repeat conversations they’d already had three times because the angles were off or the sound wasn’t right.
And maybe the soft kisses of the last few days would lead to more. Finally.
She shook herself mentally. This wasn’t the time for her thoughts to wander down that path, and really, Wyatt had already mentioned they’d likely be exhausted by the time they made it back to the house and perhaps it would be better to wait for a time when they weren’t.
A production assistant came up to Christopher and whispered something to him. He nodded, then left with her. It must be almost time.
Three minutes later, he appeared on the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen,” his voice boomed over the speakers. “If I could get you to take your seats, we’ll get this party started.”
The gathered crowd walked toward the chairs, having all been assigned seats so there wouldn’t be any issues. Madi waited in the back with Wyatt, Eli and Mia, and Claire and Kevin.
“We all know you’re here tonight for the world premiere screening of Parade of Love!”
The crowd cheered.
“So let’s introduce some of the people who made it possible. Mr. Eli Whitaker is escorting his wife, Mia Beach-Whitaker. Eli, of course, is the male lead.”
More cheering.
“Mrs. Claire Cruz Cartwright is our female lead, and is being escorted by her husband, Kevin Rogers.”
The cheering escalated.
“And, a Trumanville native, Mrs. Madi Beach, escorted by her husband Wyatt Carson, is the author of the book that inspired the movie.”
Together, she and Wyatt made their way to the front row and the seats reserved for them next to Eli and Mia.
Christopher read the blurb for the movie then took his seat next to Julia as the lights dimmed.
For the next ninety minutes, Madi watched her world come to life. The town existed almost exactly as it did in her head - an easy feat since the town in her head was based on the town where it had been filmed.
The hero and heroine were close. In her “celebrities that look like my characters” file, she’d used Eli at one point