Page 124 of Cast to be Mine

“Any truth to the rumors about awards season buzz?”

I jumped in before Grace could deflect. “If there’s any justice in this industry, she’ll be nominated for everything. She’s the heart of this movie.”

Grace elbowed me gently, her cheeks flushing. “He’s biased.”

“Absolutely biased,” I agreed. “And absolutely right.”

We continued down the carpet, stopping for more interviews, more photos. Jack and Chantilly were ahead of us, working the crowd with their usual flair. Jack had his shirt unbuttoned one button too many, his chest gleaming under the lights. Chantilly was in a silver dress that resembled something Marilyn Monroe had worn.

“Jack! Jack, over here!”

He flexed automatically. Some things never changed.

Inside the theater, the chaos gave way to elegant sophistication. Crystal chandeliers. Velvet seats. Old-world glamour that made you feel like you’d stepped back in time to Hollywood’s golden age.

I guided Grace to our seats in the front row, my heart pounding harder with every step. This was it. The moment I’d been planning for weeks.

“You okay?” Grace whispered, noticing my tension. “You look pale.”

“I’m fine. Just nervous about the movie.”

She squeezed my hand. “It’s going to be amazing. I’ve seen the final cut, remember? It’s good and I’m not just saying this because I’m in it.”

My family was seated a few rows back. I caught my mother’s eye, and she gave me an almost imperceptible nod. Everything was in place.

The lights dimmed slightly, and a hush fell over the crowd. A stage manager appeared at my elbow.

“Mr. Blackwell? They’re ready for your introduction.”

I stood, straightening my jacket, and made my way to the stage. The spotlight found me as I climbed the steps, and suddenly I was standing in front of hundreds of people, a microphone clipped to my lapel.

“Good evening, everyone.”

Applause rippled through the theater. I waited for it to fade, using the moment to collect myself.

“Thank you all for being here tonight. When I first read the script for Breathless, I knew it was something special. I also knew it would be one of the hardest things I’d ever attempted.”

I paused, letting my eyes find Grace in the crowd. She was watching me with that soft smile, the one that made me feel like I could do anything.

“This was my first time directing a feature film. There were challenges I didn’t anticipate. Moments when I wondered if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But I was surrounded by an incredible team—talented actors, dedicated crew members, and a studio that believed in my vision even when I doubted it myself.”

More applause. I held up my hand.

“But more than the professional accomplishment, this movie gave me something I never expected.” My voice caught slightly. “It gave me the love of my life.”

A spotlight swung to Grace, illuminating her in the crowd. Her eyes went wide, confusion and surprise playing across her features.

“Grace Stone walked into my audition room and changed everything. Not just the movie—everything. She challenged me. Inspired me. Made me want to be better, not just as a director, but as a man.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring box. The collective gasp from the audience was audible.

“Now, I’m going to do this before the movie,” I said, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart, “just in case it sucks and I have to sneak out the emergency exit.”

Laughter erupted through the theater. Even Grace was laughing, though her eyes were glistening with tears.

I jumped off the stage, not bothering with the stairs, and made my way to her row. Cameras flashed from every direction. I didn’t care. All I could see was her.

I dropped to one knee in front of her seat, the microphone still on so every word carried through the theater.