Page 92 of Cosplay & Consequences

I leaned in to give him a small kiss on his cheek. “Don’t worry,” I whispered seductively into his ear. “I’ll order carbonara up to our room tonight.”

He turned and smiled at me.

“And then you can watch me eat it all,” I teased. “Sorry. I’m still on Team Jorge.”

It was the meanest thing I’ve ever said to anyone.

Jess

Mandola Davison shimmered in her purple gown as she called out the nominees’ names. Everyone focused on the stage, but I kept my eyes on Danny. He had styled his hair the way I liked it, and his tuxedo fit him perfectly, but that wasn’t why I couldn’t stop watching him.

He had a nervous energy about him. Danny had perched himself on the edge of his seat, ready to burst. His enthusiasm was contagious. I realized my leg had started bouncing in anticipation. He caught me staring and gave me a quick wink, like he knew whose name sat in that envelope.

My phone buzzed like crazy, making my tiny handbag vibrate against my side. Our “team” had sent a flurry of messages. With a flick of my wrist, I tipped the watch Danny had given me for our one-year anniversary and watched the texts scroll by out of the corner of my eye.

Faye: We saw you and Uncle Danny on screen!

Paige: Tell Danny to sit up straight and stop covering his face with his hand.

Faye: Your dress is awesome! It makes whoever is on the other side of you look like a has-been.

Paige: lol. She is a has-been.

Faye: If you guys bail after this, will you get soup dumplings?

Paige: You just had soup dumplings!

Stella: Who is this? What did I mess?

Stella: *Mess

Stella: MISS!

“What does the dream team have to say?” Danny asked.

Danny hadn’t even turned to look at me. I smirked and adjusted my seat.

“Faye wants soup dumplings, Stella is clueless, and Paige says to sit up straight and stop covering your face with your hand.”

“Tell Paige I said, ‘bite me’,” he replied with a smirk. But He sat up straight and put his hand on mine. The buzzing continued, and I silenced my phone with a tap on my watch. The big event we’d been waiting for was about to happen.

“And the Emmy goes to….”

The world seemed to slow down as Mandola tore the envelope open. Then she threw her arms up in the air, flashing everyone her megawatt smile. “Sebastian Glass for the role of Roderick Galfast!”

Danny jumped to his feet screaming in victory. He tackled Sebastian, who sat in front of us, pulling him into a bear hug. The crowd erupted in cheers as I shot to my feet, clapping wildly above my head while the theme from Valley of the Red Tyrant played.

Sebastian turned to Danny, embracing him. He had a grin so wide it practically radiated joy. Behind his smile, his eyes glistened with tears. Decades of playing small roles had finally led to this moment, and I could feel my own eyes welling up.

After Danny, I was next in line for a hug, and I squeezed him as tightly as I could. “Congratulations, Salazar,” I said into his ear.

Over the applause, I heard him whisper, “Thank you ever so much, Jessica.”

Sebastian stumbled through the row of stars and placeholders, nearly tripping on the steps in his haste to reach the stage. When Mandola placed the Emmy in his hands, his smile seemed to light up the entire theater. Danny slid his arm around me, planting a kiss on my cheek. I glanced at him, his smile somehow even larger now, but I couldn’t help feeling a little sad as we sat back down.

Sebastian had been the only nomination from the season even though it had been praised by critics and fans alike. His nomination was well earned, but Danny deserved more than a moment onstage doing an award presentation. A gift basket was hardly the recognition he deserved for his performance. As everyone sat down, I leaned over to kiss Danny on the cheek and whispered, “You should have been nominated as well.”

He turned and smiled at me, his hand reaching down to squeeze my knee. “I’m absolutely fine. Did you forget that I have an Emmy?”