After I watched Zach slowly walk out my front steps of my dorm house and slip into his black Porsche sedan, I thought that was the last time I would see his face. Well that upcoming week I saw him on daytime and late-night talk shows and he even did Instagram take overs of big network accounts. If I missed watching one, my classmates were quick to mention the interviews and ask me about him. All I would say was that Zach and I had become friends over the summer when I had been assigned his assistant.

"Why don't you say you guys went out and broke up?" Megan asked me one afternoon on the walk from class back to my dorm house.

I shook my head, "Because that's not entirely true, plus someone would put it on Twitter or some other social media." I was determined to salvage my "real life" privacy as much as I could. Plus, at this point I don't want to look back, just move on.

Two weeks had passed, and I hadn't heard a word from Zach at all. I got on a plan to meet my parents in LA, they were already there, taking all the extra precautions for pregnant mom.

I tugged my bag off the carousel at LAX, careful not to let the garment bag I was carrying hit the floor, it had the three designer dresses Dad had gotten for me. I wanted Macey's, Megan's and Powder's opinions on which one I should wear to the movie premiere.

"Hey!" my dad said as I approached him, he pulled out a small bouquet of yellow roses as I got closer. "Surprise!" I laughed but I was happily surprised with the small gesture of happiness.

"Awe! Thank you!" I said as I took the flowers from dad and gave him a one armed hug, still holding my garment bag in the other hand. He grabbed my rolling suitcase and we walked out to where his driver was picking us up.

"How's mom doin?" I asked as we walked to the car in the pick up area.

"Great, a little morning sickness here and there but she's great." Dad beamed. He seemed so excited to be a dad again.

"When do you find out the sex of the baby?"

"We'll found out shortly, probably around February or March. We went to the doctors and got her cleared and okayed for travel but we won't know it the baby is a boy or girl until February, it's only the first week of December."

"AH! You gotta tell me! I want to know like now!" I was just as excited as they were for a little baby around. Obviously, it isn't the same since I don't live at home with them.

Dad laughed as he put my stuff into the trunk of the SUV. "Cam, we'll tell you when we know, but you usually find that stuff out around like the half way point. We aren't there yet."

"Ugh well I hope it's a girl, so she can go to Gallagher too."

"Oh come on, I need someone to throw a football with."

"And you can throw a football with a girl!"

"Yeah but if she ended up anything like you she will be fierce, determined, and interested in bigger things than football!"

"Hey, if you end up with a boy you could share the secret of Blackthorne. And maybe some guy talk over sports." I laughed and rolled my eyes. Dad says that as if I don't watch football and ice hockey with him, I even go to games with him sometimes too. But he is right, I never had much interest in playing football or ice hockey. Although I did play some soccer at Gallagher, I was pretty good too.

The rest of the car ride to the condo mom and dad were staying out consisted of baby talk, but I knew dad was so excited. He got ripped out of seeing so many firsts with me that now he can be there and see all the firsts with this baby. I was happy for mom and dad.

Tonight was the night. I would follow, separately, behind mom and dad down the red carpet. Dad was a big name in the movie industry, owning lots of rights to things and the production company that produced this movie. He didn't direct this one, but he over saw the director.

Mom was sitting else where before we walked down the red carpet, so dad and I did some walking around, we showed our credentials to security and were shown inside the roped off area that led into the theater.

Dad eyed some guys in suits talking, "Oh! I see Russ, I'm going to go talk to him for a second. Want to join me so I can show off my beautiful daughter?"

Shit. Russ. That was the director. And honestly, I had a fear that I would be escorted away from the premiere as soon as an executive spotted me. I turned, letting my curled dirty blonde hair fall down my bad, away from the director and said, "No thanks. I'll see you inside." I tried to not let out a squeak as I said those words.

"Have fun then, I'll be around with mom shortly." Dad rested a hand on my shoulder and squeezed lightly, then he smiled and walked away, towards Russ and the other men.

I swallowed and moved further in. I guess I won't be following mom and dad down the carpet. The electric crowd of screaming fans with their flashing cameras and phones recording everything were contained by ropes and strategically placed security guards. I wasn't going to lie, I was taking pictures from this side of the ropes to save and look back as well as sending the pictures to Macey, Liz, Bex, and Megan.

A ton of movie stars not attached to the film came to the premiere, while it was cool and fun to see them, I wasn't really starstruck. I had gotten used to big named people while dad got back into the Hollywood life.

"Cammie!"

I turned around at the sound of my name, I saw Powder walking towards me, she put her arms out for a hug.

"Damn, your dad has some connections to these killer big name designers." She said as she looked me up and down. I wore a baby blue flowy gown, v neck with thin shoulder straps. Honestly, I felt so pretty, as if I was going to be on some spring edition of a magazine cover. "You look so beautiful and perfect." She confirmed.

"Awe thank you!" I blushed slightly, "But look at you!" She had a black and silver gown on, with a high slit on the left side showing off her silver high heels.

"Ah I love you, you always have been one to hype me up. But I got to run." Powder eyed the growing crowd of arriving stars. "I can't leave Jason, the guy I met on set, alone or some silly girl will make a play at him. Find me later?"

I nodded and Powder disappeared. I made my way up to the carpet, I ran into several other people I worked with, I chatted with them about the crowd and expectations for the film. Everyone knew I had gotten fired, but no one brought it up. And that made me relax, I need to let myself enjoy things. No doubt my small encounter with drama was nothing to what they saw every day at work. Even Powder said it had glossed over.

As I walked around, I saw more people than I thought I would and welcomed seeing most of them. I remember the boomer guy, his sheer size made him easy to spot, tall and strong, I had to laugh though. I almost didn't recognize him wearing a shirt with sleeves. I hugged him when he came over to talk with me, I complimented his suit. "Powder told me you got a part in Tina's next film!"

He looked down and I swore he blushed, "They came on set to sign her, and I was doing some sound work nearby. They thought I would be good for a small part."

"You'll be great!"

He grinned and cocked his head, back to his normal confident self. "That's because I'll be traveling with the side arms!" he then curled his biceps for me. "Loaded with bullets."

I just laughed him off, "Yeah...okay. I'll see you later." I smiled and then moved a few more steps down the red carpet. Halfway down I ran into the director.

Shit. I stopped and my face flushed. Last time we were face to face he told me he was going to move me to a different movie and crew for my last few weeks of summer. Nothing showed on his face but welcome. He pulled away from the couple he was speaking to and leaned down to hug me. "Hi! What do you think of all this?"

I let out a sigh of relief, good, no trouble and I truthfully said, "It's actually really exciting!"

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself tonight, a lot of what you did really worked and we used it."

"Really? I'm flattered that it ended up working out smoothly."

"I'll see you inside?"

I took that as my cue to leave, I said yes and walked along, towards the building. I was glad dad made me come a little early, so I had time to chat and catch up with people. This was turning out okay.

Up ahead I saw Andrew, his hair was stiffened into the perfect swoop, wearing a purple suit with slacks cuffed high over some expensive brown…hm I think they're Gucci loafers. He reached a hand out and grabbed my arm. His eyes looked glittery as they shifted around the crowd, he leaned in close and his voice sounded thin, almost strained. "He's here. Have you seen him?"

Instantly I worried he meant a real bad guy and my spy mode started to kick in. "Who?" my heart was beginning to beat faster in my chest.

Andrew's hand tightened until it hurt against my arm, his face was flushed, "Harlon Romonannini!"

I don't really know who that is but he didn't sound like a real bad person trying to bring harm, so I shook my arm loose. "He is here? Wait isn't he-"

Andrew cut me off as I started to remember the famous name, "Yes!" he groaned, "He is going to see. He is going to know I recut his wedding dress! The one that is so hard to get and he is going to notice!" Andrew crossed his arms over his chest.

Okayyy, now I fully realize the reason for Andrew's panic. The bridal gown flounce alteration. "Hey, Andrew. It's more than okay, you cut it and created a better flow. You made the dress drape better." I offered a gentle reassuring tone.

Desperation flashed in his eyes, his voice took a hysterical edge, "You know nothing!" then he dashed away.

Well if the yelling and screaming of fans were any indication, more stars had arrived. Things were heating up as they would say on TV. I knew that means I should make my way inside. I wanted to see Zach of course, more than anything, but I didn't want to see him at the same time. Maybe I'd catch him inside, perhaps share a quiet civil moment away from the commotion. Dad said that movie premieres auditorium sat about a thousand people, in that large of a crowd I may not even see the back of his head. Huh, I wonder if Zach had brought a date? Would he…?

My thoughts were interrupted by a hand on my arm and a deep voice saying, "Score."

"Excuse me?" I pulled free of Garrett's hold.

"I told Zach I'd find you." Garrett tilted his head at a confident angle, "He's looking all over the place for you."

"You're talking to Zach?"

Garrett grinned, "Yeah! We are actually really good friends again." He threw an arm around my shoulders, keeping me in place, "Zach called in his market and I'm about to deliver." Using the pressure of his arm around my shoulders, Garrett turned his back to the crowd.

Wow. They made up? I tried to duck under Garrett's heavy arm. "Well..I'm just going inside."

Garrett's arm didn't move, "Nope, I owe him, and there he is!" Garrett pointed with his free hand. Looking over, I saw a dark suited Zach sharking hands and signing autographs with the fans behind the ropes. He looked great honestly. A security guard with an ear piece flanked Zach, his air head of a agent dressed in an ugly dark grey pantsuit, trailed close by Zach.

Garrett forced me straight toward Zach with no intention of stopping. "Come on now, before he goes insane."

I stumbled a little in my tall strappy heels. "Slow down, he's working, we can't –"

Garrett lowered his arm to my waist, ignored my protests, and propelled me forward until I stood within a foot of Zach.

Shouts of "Zach" came from the crowd, it was deafening.

"Here she is!" Garrett clamped a hand on Zach's shoulder, his arm dropped from my waist. Zach turned at the touch and he faced me. His blue eyes turned darker as he searched mine.

Garrett said, "I'll leave you two to it then, I want to do my duty and get inside before all the appetizers disappear. I hear they have mini eclairs, puff pastries, and some fish thing wrapped in bacon." And with that he walked over to the roped off fans.

The lights hit my eyes and I blinked hard against the white spots. I reached for my small purse hanging in the crease of my elbow, I should probably put sunglasses on. The camera flashes seemed to intensify now that I am closer to Zach. It was time for me to head to the entrance and get out of the limelight.

Zach stepped close and laced his fingers through mine, the crowd continued its chanting of his name.

I shook my hand loose from his.

"Wait."

I could honestly barely hear him, but I nodded towards the building, and I said, "I'll see you inside."

His agent gestured towards a raised platform set up for interviews, Zach shook his head no at her and said, "Just a minute."

Zach put his mouth almost against my ear and said "Please wait. I'm talking to Garrett, did you see?"

Be gracious and distant, I thought to myself. Stay out of his personal life. I had practiced the words at home and on the plane ride to LA. I was going to say that he looked great, wish him luck on the film, and leave. I got close to him and said, "Good luck." But then I caught the fragrance od his ocean shower gel and flashed back to being next to him so many times, being happy and calm, and I relaxed. "I meant, good luck tonight, good luck on the film. It was great to see you again, I'm going to head for the inside. I'll catch you later."

His agent moved in, "Zach, you're scheduled to –"

"A minute." Zach said urgently.

His agent tapped his arm lightly, "She can stay with us, but we have to move forward."

Zach shook his head, crossed his arms and stayed put. His agent then turned to me, "Nice to see you Cammie, but you're causing a delay." Her tone surely didn't sound like it was nice to see me.

Familiar with Zach's stubborn streak, I said, "Okay, sure, which way?" I nodded to toward the agent, indicating the agent should lead.

Zach clenched his hands in to fists but followed his agent. Two paces in Zach unclenched one hand and reached for mine. I stayed just slightly out of reach, but he moved closer to me than before, hands back in fists, until we reached the steeps that lead up to a platform.

Tina stood at the top of the platform, being interviewed. She wore a fuchsia colored dress, a matching jeweled hair clip, and was swept her train into one hand and held the several layers up to the reporter. By the looks of it the interviewer was getting a rundown about each thread. An assistant working the event wearing an ear piece came over, he then held up a hand in Zach's direction. I looked around, a lot of people were headed towards the auditorium. "Um…"

Zach turned his head and got even closer, "You have to promise me, or I walk out, and leave with you right now."

Sometimes he could be so damn stubborn, he had weeks to call me. Yet, he wanted to talk to me while we were on the red carpet, with a million eyes and cameras on us.

"Gallagher Girl," his voice sounded so desperate, "Promise me?" He looked at me with sad, wide eyes, hoping I would stick around.

"I promise."

Zach just stared back and searched my eyes, trying to verify I was being truthful. "Zach, I promise. Now go!"

Zach put a warm hand to the side of my face, and whispered into my ear, "I hoped you would be here tonight."

"They're ready for you, Mr. Goode."

Zach's hand slowly fell from cupping my face and he jogged up the steps to join Tina and the interviewer. Tina hooked her arm through Zach's. The crowd started chanting "Zina, Zina, Zina." It kind of made me want to roll me eyes and throw up, but I didn't.

Zach didn't turn, he faced the reporter and spoke into a microphone, then it was only a few minutes before he jogged back down to me. Tina remained on the platform, still talking.

Zach took my hand in his, "Okay then, let's go inside."

I tugged against his hold, but he wouldn't let me go. The more the cameras flashed, the more I pulled, and a smile was plastered on my lips to keep up impressions. I guess Zach wasn't going to let go, so I stopped struggling and said through my smile, "What are you doing?" I just hope he heard me ask that over the loud crowd.

Zach leaned closer, "I can demonstrate better of what I'm doing, if you want."

Zach tiled his head, I jerked back, wow, okay, suddenly my heart was racing. "Uh that's okay. Uh inside."

Someone pushed in from behind me pretty hard, causing me to fall into Zach. He stopped my fall.

There was a snort followed by an "Excuse me." Emily pushed past Zach and I dressed in a green hoop-skirted dress and climbed the steps, when she reached the top, she put her hand on her hips.

Tina finished answering her interview questions before facing Emily.

"You stole my part!" Emily shouted, the words were loud enough that anyone below the platform could hear.

Tina touched her fingertips to her chest, in a who me gesture. Emily narrowed in.

The security guard left Zach's side and went up the steps of the platform, taking two at a time, Emily hit Tina and the metal framework of the tall platform shook. After pausing in a carefully draped pose, Tina lunged forward and shoved Emily back.

Emily started shouting about how Tina took her role in the movie she is currently filming, Tina pushed into Emily, the suited security guard grabbed Emily and dragged her protesting body out of view.

Tina put a limp hand on her forehead and glided back to the interviewer, leaning into the microphone.

Zach's agent rushed forward, "Go up there and see his Tina is okay!"

"She's fine." Zach said in a dry voice.

"You're co-stars. Go." His agent pulled out a cigarette.

Zach just shook his head no.

"You owe it to the film."

Zach stiffened and his fingers tightened around mine, "The film is complete. The interviews are complete. My owing them anything is over."

The agent dug for a lighter, she didn't light the cigarette, but she tapped the end against the lighter.
Cammie, you don't mind waiting, do you? I need to speak to Zachary about this opportunity."

"I –" before I could get even a word out, Zach stepped between me and the agent, "You're fired." He said.