Cameras flashed. Photographers tried to get her attention. The surrealism of the moment was overwhelming for her. Draped in an elegant green Monique Lhuiller dress, Bryn took another step towards the end of the plush red carpet. She turned to face the photographers and tried to keep from squinting at the multiple camera flashes.

"Right this way, Miss Gardner," called an attendant standing just out of the cameras' views.

She sent one last dazzling smile, showed off her heels, and went slowly off the carpet.

The evening air was warm. The sun still shone in the sky at six-thirty and the clouds still lazily floated past. She was patting her face, making sure no makeup had smeared.

"Gabriel!"

"Gabriel, over here!"

Before going on to the ritualistic interviews, since there was no one yet behind her, Bryn peeked out from behind the wall, but another wall still protected her from prying eyes.

Outside she saw Gabriel Macht, one of Hollywood's most prized bachelors, the producer and main actor in one of USA's (the television channel) hit series, "Suits." He stood with his hands in his pockets and gave a smile. More flashes and calls from the photographers came, and, before Gabriel could turn his head and see, Bryn walked off to the interviews. She didn't want a cocky celebrity wondering why she looked like she was spying on him.

Another camera, one broadcasting live for television, was pointed at her and the interviewer was fake-smiling as she welcomed Bryn's belated arrival.

"Was there a hold-up?" The interviewer asked semi-jokingly.

"Yes," Bryn replied, trying to think of a better excuse than I was watching Gabriel Macht. "I tripped and twisted my ankle. They had to have someone check it out before they let me go on."

"Ooh," the interviewer said, pity in her voice. "I know what that's like. Is everything okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine."

"Well, good. So, who are you wearing tonight?"

"This is Monique Lhuiller," Bryn pointed out, holding out the extensive folds of the dress's skirt. "And these are Marc Jacobs." She stuck out her right foot to show off her green satin pumps.

"You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Bryn. Thanks for your time."

"Thank you." Bryn made her way up to the main hall for the awards show.

Inside, she looked in the windows of the door to the stage and auditorium.

Every actor you could imagine was already seated and listening to a pre-show speaker.

I can't go in there after it's started!

Just then, Gabriel Macht came up beside her and looked in the window she was looking in.

"Damn," he whispered. "Hey, you want to wing it with me, be fashionably late?"

"Are you joking? We can't go in there now."

"Sure we can. We were invited. Just pretend to be my date and we can sit towards the back so we don't disturb too many people."

"I am not pretending to be your date. Everybody will think-"

"Who the hell cares? We have to go in, so either go by yourself or go with me."

She looked at him pointedly, trying to see if he was serious or not. He stared back and his brown eyes whispered catch me if you can.

"Give me your arm," she demanded.

He smirked and held out his arm for her to hold. After glancing at one another one last time, they gently pushed both doors open and walked in.

No one seemed to notice, except for a few seated near the back, but that was to be expected.

Gabriel nodded at the few who stared, like everything was perfectly normal.

As they sat down quietly, he tucked her hair behind her ear. "You're one hell of an actor," he whispered.

"I'm an actress, thank you," she retorted softly.

He put his arm around the back of her chair just to play the part, he insisted. They settled down to listen to the end of the speaker's speech.

"And now, nominees, past winners, and Hollywood's best, welcome to the 88th Academy Awards."