“Plus, you are incredibly talented,” I said. “Do I have any more homework tonight?”
“No, just keep them entertained, and get everyone’s contact info so that you can send them complete information in the morning,” she said. “Never trust them to remember. Get their email addresses.”
“I already have, for most of them,” I said.
“Excellent. Then I should go and leave you to it,” she said, starting to stand, but I put a hand on her knee.
“Jenna, I want you to consider this job finished, so that I’m no longer your client. Please.”
Her adorable grin made my arms twitch from needing to hold her. Then she shook her head. “If there’s anything else to discuss, it can wait until tomorrow,” she said quickly.
“I’m not letting you leave,” I said. “Please, stay another half hour, then let me drive you home.”
“Last night was a hostage situation,” she said. “What’s your excuse tonight?”
Taking a deep breath, I blew out all of my air, deciding to go for broke. “Jenna, I’ve never felt this way before about anyone. The things I feel for you are crazy and intense, and I can’t make sense of everything yet. All I know is that I need you.”
Taking her hand, I stared into those soft blue eyes, ready to get down on my knees and beg if I had to. She slowly pulled her hand back, shaking her head again.
“Just let me leave,” she said. “I’m sure those anime girls will keep you company if you get lonely.”
I rolled my eyes at her. “What? I was taking photos with them for their tech blog. Those were two of the people on your own list of targets.”
She bit her bottom lip, looking sheepish. “Sorry.”
“You can’t leave,” I said, knowing how desperate I sounded, “Because there might be some important publicity moment that I need your help with. I’m new at all of this, remember?”
“That’s a pretty lame excuse,” she said, but at least she smiled slightly.
I looked up to see Caitlin out on the mezzanine, texting like crazy while waving me over. “Caitlin wants us for something,” I said.
I tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away again. We went out to the railing that overlooked the main room, looking down at the enormous crowd. Two of the giant screens were still showing games being played, but the other two screens had gone black.
“I hope they didn’t blow a fuse or something,” Jenna said.
“I love that your first thought is to go into problem-solving mode,” I said as Caitlin came over.
“I wanted to thank you properly for the t-shirt,” she said, then she gestured to the two giant screen
s on the east and west walls.
The black panels were suddenly awash in animated pink and white hearts, with giant teal lettering that read, “Jenna, Andrew loves you. Just look in his eyes and kiss him already.”
The entire crowd began to howl with laughter as Jenna looked up at me in horror.
“Don’t get mad, just obey the sign,” Caitlin laughed, dancing away.
“I swear I didn’t say anything to her,” I said quickly. “But if you were looking for a sign, there it is.”
I realized that most of the eyes in the room were now locked on us, since we were elevated, and hoped that Jenna didn’t have stage fright.
“I suppose this would be extra publicity,” she said slowly.
“Stop working,” I said, taking her hands in mine. “Dammit, Jenna, I’m in love with you. I know it’s too fast, but let’s run with it. Just admit that you feel the same way, and kiss me already.”
Her chin quivered as she looked up at me, blinking hard. Then she reached up, winding her hands around my shoulders as she brought her lips to mine.
Even over the music, the applause was deafening. Through my closed eyelids, I could still sense the flashes of the photographers.