Behind the Scenes

Epilogue

KATE

Laughter echoed through the small room, the endless white noise of chatter filling every corner of the space. My senses were alive, taking in every stimulation afforded to them. The voices of my friends, colleagues and supporters were like a soft music and calmed me when my nerves wanted nothing more than to take over the moment. The scents of popcorn, candy, hor d'oeuvre's and champagne made my stomach growl and mouth water. The room was dimly lit, the only light apart from the sparse sconces in the corners coming from the large screen and dominated the one wall at the far end of the room.

But the sense I was most attuned to in this moment was the sense of touch, as my hand remained firmly clasped in that of the boy at my side. His thumb made slow, methodical circles across the back of my hand some the moment we stepped into the room, not once letting me go.

It was the night of the Life After You premiere, when the first episode would be available on Netflix around the world. The remaining nine would be rolled out weekly, leaving the fans in anticipation for what was to come. There had already been incredible hype for the show building up to this moment, and now that it was here, I felt overwhelmed with a mixture of excitement and fear.

It had been a crazy week leading up to this night. Interviews, press conferences, and one much too large, much too loud Los Angeles premiere two nights before featuring press, a red carpet, and a private screening for select media and contest winners. The reviews for the show so far had been remarkable, many media calling it the most natural, heartfelt connection to fictional characters they had ever experienced. That had been by far my favorite review, and I even made Ashley print it out so I could pin it to my corkboard in my office.

Despite all the events, I had forgone seeing the first episode in completion until this night. Even though I had been there through it all, watched it come together, I wanted to see the final product in the same way, at the same time, as my readers. I wanted to live the moment with them, and those who meant the most to me.

It was Ashley who came up with the idea of having a private cast and crew viewing in New York on the night it was to officially air. Yet again, she had come to my rescue, bringing what was once a quiet, off the cuff comment into something real and tangible. I was reminded, again, that I couldn't have done any of this without her. Something that she reminded me of often, teasing me any time I let my anxiety get the better of me over these last few days.

Over the chatter, I could hear Steven's booming laugh, a deep, throaty sound over the fray that brought a smile to my face. He was in the corner, champagne in hand, talking animatedly to Steph while Hunter looked on.

Despite their differences, and Harry's constant reminder to me that Hunter had admitted to less than chivalrous intentions towards me, the two had managed to remain civil towards each other through the night. Much of that probably had to do with the fact that my hand was firmly locked in Harry's grip.

Taking a deep breath, I let myself drink in every facet of the moment. This was a night I wanted to remember. No matter all the drama, all the discord, and all the arguments, this was what we had created, and these people made it possible.

Glancing down, my serene expression seemed to please Harry as he leaned down to touch his lips to my ear.

"You're beaming again," he commented, the stubble on his cheek tickling at my skin.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," I said, turning to catch his eye.

A wicked grin overtook his lips. "It's just usually me who makes you look like that. You're going to make me second guess myself if a room full of loud producers and actors can make you smile like that too."

Tisking, I gave him a playful slap on the chest, causing him to burst out laughing. Harry and shown me a whole different side to himself since filming ended seven months ago. He told me how he felt, no longer hid behind innuendos and taunting comments. His media persona remained much the same, saving his true, private self just for me. As much as I wished he didn't feel the need to hold on to the former, I was slowly beginning to understand. And as long as I had the true him, the rest of the world would have to settle.

No matter the change, however, one thing remained the same. He loved nothing more than to make me blush with sexual teasing and endless flirting.

"Okay guys, find your seats!" Steph called from the front of the room, taking control of the situation. "The show starts in five minutes!"

A round of cheers, clapping, and the rustling of chairs began, as cast and crew took to the couches, seats and even the floor to watch what we had created together. It was like a family reunion, bringing us all back together, like we had never been apart.

Falling into a soft love seat next to Harry, his arms enveloped me quickly. One slung across my shoulders, the other resting on my legs to toy with the fingers of my hand.

The lights dimmed, the screen illuminating, and I felt a shutter of nervous excitement build in my chest just as Harry's lips again brushed my ear.

"Excited?"

I nodded, turning to him with a smile. "And I little nervous."

"Don't be," he said casually, turning back to the screen as he took a sip of his drink. The light highlighted his sharp jaw, the angle of his features and the lightness of his eyes. For the millionth time since meeting this boy, I was captivated by his beauty, and couldn't believe he was mine.

Turning back to me, he grinned a wicked smile. "It is the perfect love story you always dreamed of. All the real drama happened behind the scenes."

THE END