Page 135 of Small Town Swoo
I rubbed my lips back and forth against the soft skin of her inner arm. “I have an audition forAll We’ve Lost. A real one this time.”
“What?” She placed her hand on my chest. “Tell me!”
I told her about the message I’d gotten from Katherine Carroll and how Izzie had confirmed it was real.
“I can’t believe you’ve known this the whole time, and you’re just getting around to telling me about it.”
“Well, I had other things to focus on. More important things. Like getting you back.”
She kissed me. “You never lost me, Dash. You’ve always had my heart.”
“You had mine too. I just didn’t know it.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “Can I keep it?”
“For as long as you want.”
The look in her eyes told me how long she’d been waiting to hear that. “How about forever?”
“You know I love a happy ending.”
She laughed. “The diner waitress gets the movie star. I love this story.”
“I love you.”
Her laughter faded and she kissed me again. “I love you too.”
epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
ARI
“And the Oscar goes to...” The beautiful actress in the long sequined gown opened the envelope. I held my breath. “Dashiel Buckley forAll We’ve Lost.”
The music swelled along with my heart and my tears and my pride in Dash, who squeezed my hand and drew me to my feet. After placing a hard kiss on my lips, he turned to the row behind us and hugged his two co-stars and finally, Katherine Carroll, whose eyes were glossy.
With one last look at me, he made his way to the stage, shaking a couple hands on the way, and accepted the statue from the actress. After kissing her cheek, he looked in disbelief at the award and took his place at the podium.
“Oh my God,” he said. “I hardly know where to start.”
My eyes were so blurry. I had to fan my face to get them to clear up a little. I had so much makeup on—applied by a glam squad in my hotel suite earlier this afternoon—and I didn’t want to ruin it. I knew the cameras were on me.Cameras were often aimed at me these days. I’d gotten used to seeing myself on the internet or in magazines, and I’d given up trying to always look perfect. Dash had made it clear he loved me for me and didn’t want me to look like a Hollywood starlet.
But tonight was different. Tonight, I wore the red satin gown, the Cartier jewels, the updo, the lashes, the siren lip. When Dash saw me, he kissed the back of my hand and told me I took his breath away.
“My dad, my siblings, my entire family—I love you so much. Thank you for always believing in me. And being in my corner. My mom hasn’t been with us for a long time, and yet she’s with me every day, and I know none of this would be possible without her love shining down on me.” He glanced up. “Thank you, Mom.”
I dabbed at the corners of my eyes and felt Katherine pat my shoulder.
“So many people had a hand in getting me to this incredible moment. Ms. Walsh, my first grade teacher, who made me love acting. All the directors and producers and fellow actors I’ve worked with over the years—I’ve learned from every single one of you. To the Academy, for this unbelievable recognition. I don’t feel worthy of it, but I will do my best to live up to the honor you’re giving me tonight. To Katherine Carroll.” He smiled, maybe remembering the shark onesie. “Thank you so much for seeing something in me. For taking a chance on an unknown, whose box office draw was unproven and whose talent was raw at best. You set this in motion with your intuition and generosity, and you put me up here with your vision and artistry and skill. I am forever in your debt.”
I glanced at Katherine over my shoulder, unsurprised to see her dabbing at her eyes as well. Earlier, she’d told us herniece and all the birthday party attendees were watching, eager to see their favorite actor win the big award. Dash went on to thank a few more people involved with the production, and the entire cast and crew for making him better. Finally, he looked at me.
“And to Ari, who owns my heart.” He placed a hand on his chest. “Thank you for encouraging me to open it up to the world. It’s because of you that I understood what a man is willing to do for someone he loves. Our story is still being written.” The music began to play, indicating it was time for him to wrap up, and he nodded. “Thank you all, and have a great night.”
Everyone applauded as he walked off, and I gave up trying to hold it together, bawling my eyes out into a tissue. If the world saw me cry, so be it. My heart was full.
Dash and I celebrated all night, hitting all the big parties, fielding all the usual questions from reporters, and posing for a thousand photos. We didn’t make it back to our hotel suite until four in the morning, our cheeks numb from smiling, our feet sore from standing, our stomachs growling with hunger. We ordered room service and went out on the balcony, where I sat on his lap under the stars.
