Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
There’s no other option. I’m half tempted to go up to one of the security guards and explain the situation, but what would I say? I’m not Cristiano’s girlfriend, I’m his friend, and judging by this turnout, he has a lot of friends vying to get into Sabor a Sol.
The crowd only continues to grow, and I hate the feeling of being surrounded by people on all sides. A security guard shouts at someone for pushing and everyone calms down a little, but even then, I’m close to calling it when another ten minutes pass and we haven’t made much progress.
“Line’s not moving at all,” someone notes beside me.
I recognize the American accent right away and, curious, look up to see a tall guy reposition the glasses on his nose. He’s handsome, blond, tan, and wearing slacks, a dress shirt, and a press badge. With his height, he has the advantage over the crowd.
“Can you see why?” I ask.
“Oh.” He laughs. “Him.”
I try to angle my body to see what he’s referring to, but it’s hard with so many people densely packed in front of me. Then when someone shifts, there’s suddenly a window in the crowd, and Cristiano comes into view on the step-and-repeat, standing alone. My heart leaps and then starts to race. He’s so handsome in his fitted black suit and pocket square. He’s skipped a tie and chosen to leave the top button of his white shirt undone. It’s an effortless style that he pulls off too well, especially with his hair freshly trimmed and his jaw cleanly shaven.
He only poses in front of the photographers for a moment before he steps to the side as if he’s eager to get off the carpet, but then Juan Carlos and a few of his friends I recognize from Aura move to join him. Juan Carlos throws his arm around his shoulders and Cristiano smiles genuinely for the first time. Their friends gather close. Daniella slips in on Cristiano’s other side, wearing a beautiful black dress and sky-high heels. She beams with pride and turns her body into Cristiano’s so she can drop her hand on his chest. The touch hurts to watch. I feel suddenly ridiculous standing here in this crowd watching them like a voyeur.
A woman nearby wonders aloud about Daniella, complimenting her outfit.
Simone squeezes my hand even though I haven’t let on that I’m in any way bothered by what I’m seeing. I stand stock-still as the photographers snap photos and the group disbands, but not before Daniella prods Cristiano to stay on the carpet, smiling up at him so they can get one more photo of just the two of them.
She laughs and teases him and he smiles.
My stomach feels queasy.
I step back, but Simone holds firm. “No. Look, the crowd is moving now.”
I don’t want to be here. I think of Annika watching Ethan kiss another girl. I don’t want to do this.
“Here, stick close and I’ll get us through,” the American guy says to Simone and me. “Unless you want to walk the step-and-repeat? That line looks like it’ll take a while, but I can get us in through the media entrance.”
“Yes, please!” Simone says cheerily. “What’s your name?”
“Logan.”
“Logan. Brilliant. I’m Simone and this is Elle.”
I’m not quite paying attention to the introductions and I feel bad for it. I shake myself out of my annoyance and look away from the spectacle. I try to smile once I realize Logan is peering down at me curiously.
“Are you here with the press?”
I frown. “No, I—”
He grins and winks. “Let’s try that again… Are you here with the press?”
I chuckle as understanding dawns. “Yes. Exactly. We’re your assistants, of course. Here to…”
To do what exactly? I have no badge, no camera, no notebook.
“Make me look good.” He waves us to follow after him.
I look at Simone and she lifts her brows. “He’s cute,” she mouths.
I’m still not convinced I want to go inside Sabor a Sol. It’s going to be just as crowded inside as it is out here, but a part of me is eager to see Cristiano’s vision come to life. He’s told me about the restaurant and I know he’s proud of what his team has been able to accomplish. Somewhere, deep down, I’m happy for him, even if I feel strange about being here now.
Logan’s plan works, surprisingly. Behind the step-and-repeat, at a side entrance, he shows his credentials to a security guard and explains we’re with him. The man looks at me a beat too long and asks me to repeat my name. For a moment I panic, and then he waves us through, looking around us to the next person to try to alleviate the congestion at the door.
“We did it!” Simone cheers. “What a master plan. Are you off to work now or can we tempt you with a drink?”