Spotlight (21 page)

As the cab pulled up, she spotted Nate. He stood outside, near the entrance, talking on his cell phone. He must have heard the cab door shut but wasn’t paying attention. Then, he did a double take when he spotted Lily walking toward him.

His expression softened, but his tone did not. “Just deal with it. I’ll talk to you in a little while,” he said just before punching the end button.

A smile spread across his face as their eyes locked. He tentatively raised his left hand and gave Lily a small wave, making her smile beam even brighter. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Nate took her hand and then leaned in to kiss her cheek. It was quick, but the warmth left Lily slightly dazed.

“It’s great to see you again,” he said, his voice low.

“You, too.” She cleared her throat in an effort to clear the fog seeping into the valleys of her brain. “So who are you wearing?” Lily asked in her most serious tone.

The confused look that crossed Nate’s features was enough to make Lily burst into a short fit of giggles.

“Um . . . Brooks Brothers?”

“Ah. Well, you look quite handsome.” His eyes flashed to hers with the compliment. “I was just practicing for later,” she explained with a coy grin.

Nate couldn’t help but laugh, and Lily knew the lighthearted moment was greatly appreciated.

“Well, let me show you the ropes,” Nate said with a flourishing gesture toward the red carpet. As he led the way, Lily took a moment to appreciate the fit of his dark navy suit.

The entrance to the Ziegfeld Theatre glowed under the marquee lights. The red carpet extended down 54th Street. Fans lined the opposite side of the street, hoping to get a glimpse of Daniel and his costars. Journalists were already gathering in the press line. Lily felt the excitement buzzing in the air as Nate gave her a quick tour.

Just before they reentered the press area, Nate stopped short, glancing at her. She quirked one eyebrow at him.

“Thank you again for shadowing me tonight and being my assistant, of sorts.”

Lily smiled. “Of course. That sounds interesting, actually. What do you need me to do?”

“Just what we talked about earlier. I usually keep notes of who Daniel talks to in the press line and what they talked about. That way I can match up the interviews and know what to expect in the coming days. Would you mind?”

“Consider it done,” Lily responded enthusiastically.

“Thanks,” Nate said, relief evident in his voice.

Nate carefully explained what was going to happen once Daniel arrived. Security at the entrance would notify Nate when Daniel’s limo pulled up to the theater. They would then go greet him, and Daniel would do interviews along the press line. In between interviews, he would pose at the photo call with the rest of the cast and wave to the fans across the street.

Lily shook her head, surprised at how much work it took to move Daniel the space of a few hundred feet.

Before she knew it, a man twice her size wearing a stern expression interrupted their conversation to say that Daniel was one block away.

“It’s show time,” Nate said. Lily noted the change in his expression. He was all business now. His eyes went from warm and soft, like grass in the summer, to cold, hard, and clear, like the finest emerald.

Lily adjusted her bag on her shoulder, thankful she packed several pens and notebooks, and followed closely behind Nate. Her quick steps reflected her excitement.

They stopped at the entrance just as a black limo pulled up to the curb. It idled for a minute before the door opened. A Gucci loafer gingerly touched the sidewalk. Daniel then uncurled his long, lean form from the back of the car, draped in a charcoal gray Gucci suit with a matching, monochromatic dress shirt and tie.

Immediately, flashes burst around them. She wondered how they didn’t blind Daniel. He looked at the photographers behind her and blinked rapidly for a moment. He offered them a quick smile before turning to Nate.

“I’m going across the street,” he said just loud enough for Nate and Lily to hear.

Daniel stepped away from the door, and the security team immediately took his spot, surrounding it.

Nate seemed less than pleased with Daniel’s detour, but something in Daniel’s expression told him not to question it.

“They’ve been out there all day. More, in some cases. I owe it to them to go sign a few things and pose for a few pictures,” Daniel said, already moving in that direction.

Nate simply sighed and motioned for Lily to follow him.

As they crossed the blocked-off street, Lily saw the tension in Daniel’s shoulders ease just a little. He still didn’t seem comfortable, exactly, but at least more at ease farther away from the press line.

Screams filled their ears, and there were almost as many camera flashes on that side of the street, but Daniel’s smile was easier. He was genuinely thankful that all these people came out just to see him and support the movie. His hand was a blur as he signed whatever was thrust in front of him, and he twisted as rapidly as a tornado to keep up with the photo requests.

“Why did security grab the door like that?” Lily asked Nate as they continued to watch Daniel with his fans.

“Oh. Well, Daniel’s family and guest aren’t walking the carpet. Security is escorting them through a side entrance to their seats,” Nate said, his eyes still focused on his client.

Lily couldn’t help but laugh. She thought of a certain lady decked out in an Elie Saab design—one that wouldn’t be seen in any red carpet photos. And Lily understood why.

This night wasn’t about
her
. Or
them
. It was about Daniel and his movie. If she’d shown up on his arm, that would have been the main topic with the press. Lily was impressed with Sam’s forethought.

After a few more minutes, Nate glanced at his watch and cursed. He stepped toward Daniel, putting a hand on his left shoulder. “Daniel . . . we gotta go, man.”

Daniel glanced back at Nate and sighed. “Fine.”

He looked at the crowd, suddenly a little shy. “Thank you all for coming. So much. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.” He gave them a quick wave and one last smile before turning to head to the other side of the street.

Nate walked right beside Daniel as Lily trailed just behind, grabbing a pen and paper. “Remember,” Nate said, “focus on the movie. Don’t let them distract you.” He clapped Daniel’s shoulder one more time before he stepped up to be interviewed by
Variety
.

Lily frantically but diligently took notes, writing down the magazine, interviewer, and topics that person covered in their conversation. Nate looked down at her notebook.

“Perfect! That’s exactly what I need. I’ll direct him along the line. You just keep doing what you’re doing.” She glanced up at him when she heard the seriousness of his tone.

That all-business persona faltered for just a moment as he grinned at her. She winked in response before jotting down more notes.

The next hour was a blur of questions and carefully crafted responses.

Lily lost count of the times Daniel said, “Working with this cast and crew was incredible,” and “This has been, so far, the most significant experience of my career.” He played the game well. She recognized the same look in his eyes from the first time she saw him in person—moderately bored but constantly thinking. They flashed with barely contained frustration when a few people on the press line dared to ask about the female company he kept. But even then, he remained cordial, skillfully directing the conversation back to the movie. He was never rude or ungrateful, Lily observed. Guarded was the best word she could think of to describe the slight distance he put between himself and the press.

By the time they finished with the press line, Lily’s mind was running a million miles an hour. She had pages and pages of notes, and her hand was beginning to cramp.

Seeing this firsthand was invaluable, though. Even at the first press junket she’d covered, she knew she wanted to ask interesting, thought-provoking questions. But after the last hour, she was even more adamant about that. Daniel had been asked variations of the same questions from most reporters. Lily understood each media member’s need for fresh quotes, but it had to be mind-numbing for actors, directors, and the like.

As Daniel was ushered inside, Lily saw Nate take what seemed like his first deep breath in hours.

“Well, what do you say, Lily—would you like to go see a movie with me?”

Lily was powerless to resist Nate’s boyish grin.

Chapter Fourteen

Lily enjoyed watching the movie without the pressure of having to write about it. She still needed to write her review for the website, but she was able to enjoy this screening as a moviegoer. It was just as good as the first time, in her opinion, and seeing it surrounded by the people who brought it to the big screen made the experience even more special.

Daniel, naturally, sat in the middle of the theater, about eight rows up from the screen. Lily sat with Nate on the right side of the auditorium, with the other press representatives. Nate’s eyes should have been focused on the screen. But they often drifted over to Lily. A smile tugged at her lips every time she felt his gaze on her. A small hum of electricity seemed to pass between the two of them. It was the first time they’d been in the dark together, and Lily was sure it was beginning to make them both wonder what else they could be doing in the dark.

Nate cleared his throat as the credits rolled. “Well, I’m glad that’s over.” Lily’s surprised laugh startled him. “Oh! I mean . . . yeah. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I swear.”

“I’m sure you didn’t,” Lily said through her laughter. “I get it. If it helps, I’m kind of glad that’s over, too. What was that?”

Nate shook his head slowly as his grin spread. “I have no idea. But I do know that I’m ready for a drink. How about we head out?”

Lily gratefully nodded her agreement. That same spark was there as Nate’s hand grazed the small of her back, leading her out of the auditorium.

They stood near the door as Daniel disappeared into a sea of flashing lights—from fans and photographers. He raised his hand in a gracious and humble wave as he stepped into his limo. Both Lily and Nate caught his small smile at how the evening went. They’d all overheard the comments on the film as he left the auditorium—all overwhelmingly positive.

Nate pointed toward a sleek, black Town Car with a flourish. “Your chariot, milady,” he said with a small bow.

Lily laughed and then sighed. “It’s no limo . . . but I suppose it’ll do.” She grinned at him before ducking into the backseat.

Nate returned her smile as he closed her door and went around to the other side.

“How do you think the press line went?” he asked as the car pulled into traffic.

Lily relaxed into her seat. “I think it went well, but you’d know better than I would. I hope I got everything you needed.”

Nate smiled. “I’m sure you did—let’s take a look at what you got.”

Lily reached into her bag for her notebook. She flipped through it, quickly reaching her notes.

“An overwhelming majority of the questions—I’d say ninety-five to ninety-eight percent—were about the movie itself. They asked questions about working with Marcus and the cast, shooting on location, and portraying a doctor. They also asked about the differences between this film and the first one, and plans for the third one in the series.

“He ended up speaking with eleven members of the press. The longest interview was
E!
followed by
Entertainment Weekly
.
E!
asked nine questions. The shortest interview was with a blog dedicated to the books. They got in three questions.”

Lily flipped yet another page before continuing.

“Daniel was asked about his relationship status twice.
E!
asked if she was here.
People
asked if she’d seen the movie and what she thought of it. Daniel deflected both questions.

“Anything else you need to know? I tried to write down all the information I could.”

Nate blinked and cleared his throat before speaking. “Okay, great. Thanks.”

“Of course.”

He looked up and smiled. “It might not seem like it, but you’ve been a huge help tonight.”

Lily couldn’t fight feeling a bit smug. “I’m glad I could help, Nate. This has been an incredible experience.”

A comfortable silence filled the rest of the ride to the upscale bar hosting the after-party. By the time the car stopped at the curb to let them out, Lily was leaning forward in anticipation. She’d never been to an after-party before. Not even after her high school prom.

Nate smiled as he stepped out and went around to open Lily’s door.

As they walked toward the door, he whispered in her ear, “Time for the fun to begin.”

A tiny shiver crept up her spine, but not from the cold.

Inside the bar, the space was the perfect combination of simplicity and elegance. The stark white walls contrasted perfectly with the black furniture. The silvers and grays scattered around the room gave it an urban feel, and glass and crystal accents bounced the white light around, giving the room a subtle sparkle. The palette allowed the guests to shine, the only color in the room coming from the vividly hued gowns and ties that they wore.