Chapter 142 Sitting with a Stranger
Inside the auditorium, Andrea took some deep breaths. She was glad to have gotten past the red carpet, but now that she was no longer nervous about all of the interviews, another wave of uneasiness settled in her stomach. What if Case didn’t make it on time for her award? What if she lost—wouldn’t that be humiliating? What if she won—and she had to go up there and give her speech?
Trying not to think about all of that, she waved hello to a few familiar faces meandering around the lobby and then headed toward the auditorium, ready to take her seat. “Good evening, Miss Sparks,” a gentlemen in a suit that matched several others said to her as she approached the door. “We’ll be happy to seat you momentarily. Where is your date?”
“He hasn’t arrived yet,” she said.
The man’s face fell. “Oh, dear. When will he be here?”
“I’m not certain. He had a race today. He’s a racecar driver.” The man nodded in understanding. “It shouldn’t be too long.”
“It’s only… you’re seated toward the front since you’re nominated for an award. We can’t have an empty seat close to the front of the room. We’ll have to fill the seat with one of our standby extras. He’ll sit there until your date arrives.”
Andrea nodded. She’d figured as much. The man shouted, “Daniel!” and made a motion with his hand. A few seconds later, a striking young man with dark wavy hair, dressed in a tuxedo, came floating over. “Daniel, you’ll be sitting next to Ms. Sparks until her date arrives.”
“Yes, sir,” Daniel said, a grin taking over his handsome face. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Sparks.”
“Please, call me Andrea,” she said with a nod. “It’s nice to meet you also.” She took the arm he offered and he led her into the auditorium.
An usher pointed them in the right direction, and Daniel escorted her to the seat she’d been assigned, waiting for her to smooth out her gown and sit before he took the seat next to her. Andrea was glad they were close to an aisle so Case would be able to get in easily. She knew he’d only be allowed to come in during certain breaks because they didn’t want people walking around during the actual awards. It was all a complicated dance, but it seemed the staff had it down to a science.
Daniel looked so proud sitting next to her. He was a good looking fellow. She wondered if he had a girlfriend at home who might be jealous to see them sitting next to each other on TV. She also figured she’d have a lot of explaining to do to friends and family who didn’t understand how it worked. At least Case would get it.
“Andrea! You look gorgeous!” Stella Croy came over and Andrea immediately jumped up to hug her over the seat in front of her.
“Thank you. You look amazing, too,” Andrea said, glancing down at Stella’s beautiful blue ball gown. “How are you?”
“Good, good. A little nervous.” Her boyfriend, an actor named George Steel, was standing nearby. Andrea waved at him and he said hello. “Well, hello there,” Stella said to Daniel. “I had no idea your new boyfriend was so handsome.”
“Oh, no. This is Daniel. He’s… saving Case’s seat.”
“I see.” Stella wasn’t a bit embarrassed to be looking Daniel up and down.
He jumped up and shook her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Croy. I loved you in Shadows of Silence. I hope you win.”
“Thank you, darling. From your lips to God’s ears,” she said with a giggle. “Well, I must be getting to my seat. It was lovely to see you, Andrea. Best of luck, dear.”
“You, too,” Andrea said, meaning it. Stella deserved to win. She was such a talented actress and a good person, too. She gave to so many charities. Most people didn’t know that because she did it all secretly.
Andrea settled back into her seat, but she didn’t miss it when Travis and Andre came in. At least there would be no mistaking the tall beauty for Andrea today. Rather than the signature red hair of Andre Sparkles, her hair was jet black now. She looked divine in a hot pink gown, and Travis looked proud to have her on his arm.
Sarah’s voice was unmistakable. She greeted everyone loudly as she came down the aisle. Andrea turned to look at her half-sister. Her face looked almost normal, though she could still see some dark spots under Sarah’s eyes. She, too, was assigned a fill-in to sit with her until her date, Stewart, could get there. Sarah gave her a wave, and Andrea waved back before turning back around and trying to calm herself. She wondered if Sarah would still be so friendly if Andrea won, and Sarah didn’t. She hoped so, but somehow, Andrea doubted it.
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