The sound of the audience petrifies me. The wave of applause. The theme music intro. I'm paler than the yellow dress I wear. I'll look like a ghost on stage. My mind is on edge. My thoughts race. I don't think I can do this! Something will go wrong. I know I'll mess up. I peer from backstage. There are studio cameras and hundreds of people. The tall stage lights blind me. Jace cradle my hands in his. "You'll be fine...everyone has stage fright the first time." 

"I doubt you did." I protest in fear.

"In high school, argument and debate. I stammered and shook the whole time. But I made myself get through it. If I didn't, I would've never gotten better."

I exhale slowly and close my eyes. "What if I puke...or forget what to say?"

"Forget Velma's script. Answer genuinely. The viewers will detect if your answers are rehearsed." He kisses me. "You won't puke. The key is to focus on one person at a time."

"I'm not good at that." I fret.

"Relax." He rubs my shoulders. I stare at the floor. "You'll do fine."

A backstage worker approaches us. "Five minutes until the call."

"Please bring her ice water."

"Of course." The employee taps off.

"I can do most of the talking."

"I'll look weird if I don't talk enough."

"No, you won't, you'll seem shy. Everyone knows this is your first time on television. Camera fright is normal." He smooches my hand.

The worker returns with a glass of ice water. There are plenty of cubes in it. "Thank you." I take a huge gulp. The chill is strong enough to freeze my teeth and tongue. I swallow, then go for another gulp. My nerves aren't calmed just yet. My hand quakes. Maybe Jace is right. He's used to public speaking. I remember when I first saw him on TV. He owned the stage. 

"30 seconds." The employee informs. 

I finish half of the glass before handing it back. Jace fixes my lipstick with his thumb. "It'll be perfect, just like you. I said this before, you can't ruin anything when you look this amazing."

The theme music sounds. "Their names have been shipped. Everyone is talking about how the tech king has a soon-to-be bride." Michael Strahan announces. "The GMA3 studio will be the first to get answers from the American royal couple. Please help us welcome. Madison Hart and Jace Harrison!" 

The crowd roars. Jace leads me to the stage. I wrap my arm around his. Beams of light come from the audience and the ceiling. There are five white chairs as tall as stools. Michael, Robin, and Lara charmingly smile our way. As we near the chairs, I keep my posture straight, my chin up. My steps are small, and my glide is feminine. 

 I focus on what Velma taught me last night. I swipe my dress under before sitting and angle my legs to the side so they're not open. Jace's chair is too far, I wish it was closer so I can hold his hand. I take Jace's advice to focus on one person at a time. I have to be polite and address the hosts with kind eye contact and a smile. I think I can do it. I look to Robin, still a bit bashful. 

"Hello, hello you two." Robin isn't giving off any bitchy vibes. Good. I think she's nice.

"Hello." We both reply.

"What a lovely pair, right?" Lara, the blonde, dotes on us. The crowd claps. "I've been loving these matching outfits!"

"Very stylish," Michael adds.

"So chic. You two are fashionistas. Robin folds her hands. "Please tip your stylists."

"I'll consider it." Jace pokes.

"It's not like you can't afford it."

"I think it's time I reveal the truth...I'm secretly poor." The audience laughs.

"Oh...we'll hopefully your fiancé doesn't jet off because of that." Lara throws shade. The crowd titters.

My cheeks flame. "You're confusing her with my exes. Madison is the humblest woman I've ever met." I love the sincerity in his voice.

"Oh really? It seems she's the same as the rest." Lara challenges.

"No...none of them rejected me."

"Rejected???!" Michael gapes.

"Yes, three times."

The crowd gasps.

Robin places a hand on her chest. "Wow! Alright, we need to hear the full story."

"That we do." Lara seconds

"People are guessing this is a summer fling. We're all dying to hear how this relationship began." Michael singles me out.

I take a long breath and grin lightly. "It's a crazy story. Almost like a fever dream." I keep my voice steady and avoid glancing at the hundreds of guests.

"Speak up, dear."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not used to all this."

"That's alright, we know." Lara's words hold a fake niceness. A double meaning.

I raise my voice. "It all started at the Santa Rosa Country Club," I explain everything. From how I eye-stalked him for a year. How I kept his wallet safe. To the first time we spoke and how nervous I was. I reveal that I had a boyfriend, and that's why I rejected Jace. I focus on each of the three as I speak. My shyness is obvious the more I explain our relationship. How Jace rescued me from death. How he offered me an escape from my toxic ex-boyfriend. 

"A fever dream is a perfect way to describe it!" Robin exclaims. "So, the ordeal in grant park was true? The guy wasn't a crazy fan harassing you?"

"No...just a guy who should've been my ex months ago," I admit sorrowfully.

"I'm sensing abuse was involved."

I lower my head, afraid to comment on the subject. "I'd rather not speak about it."

"Of course."

Michael leans forward in his chair. "When is the wedding? And will there be a live stream?"

I gather myself and return his gaze. "September 13th." My eyes shoot to Jace. "I'm not sure about the streaming."

"The wedding has to be available to all. You owe that to your fans."

"That's to be determined," Jace responds humbly.

The next day repeats, only with a single host. ELLEN. We wear the same shade of blue as the stage. She's energetic and funny and rarely makes any snide remarks. "Am I invited to the wedding?" She looks between us.

"With how much I love your show, you're a VIP." I compliment gracefully.

"I'm flattered. I can't wait for the dress, the food. Portia and I need a date night. I have a perfect suit hanging in my closet collecting dust. That's how bad I need a fun night." The crowd cracks up.

"We'll make it your night." I jab. "It'll be all about you."

"Ah...finally a night in the spotlight...something I've never had." She gestures to the cameras.

Her sarcasm tickles my funny bone. I allow myself to be authentic and carefree. I even slouch some. "I'm glad I can make your dream come true."

"Thank you for seeing my worth." She chuckles. "I'll return the favor by offering the ultimate gift." Jace and I are stunned by this. I have no clue what it could be. He's just as clueless. "I feel you need a boost in confidence with how every outlet has been attacking you." A guard steps from backstage. "Consider it an early wedding present." The guard approaches us, holding an indigo box. I'm bewildered by how lavish it is. The man opens it. I can't see the item. Not until the man tilts it downward, revealing a white gold tiara. 

I gasp at the bling of the white crystals. "Oh! It's beautiful!" I cover my mouth. "You didn't have to, thank you!" I rush to hug her in her chair.

"Oh, how I love when people hug me full of emotion." Ellen sniggers.

The next day is our appearance on Wendy Williams. The purple stage with gray wood floors brings on nostalgia. I've been seeing it forever. It's a talk show where the host is ruthless. I'm not sure why Velma booked this gig. I'm expecting drama from the night. Wendy is outspoken. I hope she doesn't say anything too crazy. 

We near the long sofa in purple suits that match the stage. "Oh, that white hair with the purple! You look like a super spy, hon!" Wendy praises me.

"Thank you."

"Are you two trying to break into Hollywood? Is there a new Jason Bourne in the works?"

"I can't say." Jace plays along.

"Ah, it's classified, of course." She gives a whimsical glare at the camera. "It's lovely to meet your fiancé. She's had a busy week. Good Morning America, Ellen, and now my show."

"We saved the best for last." He charms her.

"You're right hon, I am the best." She swipes her blonde hair behind her shoulder. The crowd laughs. "Speaking of that, do you have a best man lined up?"

Jace hisses through his teeth. "That's a tough one. I can't choose between my brothers. If I chose one, I'll get grilled by the other.

"Ouch, that's a toughie." Wendy's brows jump upwards. "Well, you better figure it out fast, the wedding is only 2 weeks away."

"Yeah, I'll have to get that figured out."

"Maybe you can draw straws."

I giggle. "Maybe you should."

"I mean, random is the way to go. You're used to gambling with life."

Jace nods and smiles. "You remember my daredevil days, huh?"

"Oh yes, who doesn't? Skydiving. Drag racing. Cliff jumping. Moonwalking. The highlights of your youth."

"The good old days." He sighs.

"Including the notches on your belt. Those were part of your youth as well. Are you sure you're past that addiction?" The crowd exclaims, exchanging awkward gazes. "I'm just saying, there's a term for your sexual issue. I'm only looking out for this sweet girl, that's all."

Jace grows infuriated. Her words peeve him. I haven't seen his eyes so icy since his family's visit. "I'm positive I'm past that phase."

"I hate to stir things up, but no one's asking the right questions. Are you done being a player? Is this wedding a new phase of yours? Are the sex contracts done for?"

His temper devours him. The clenching brows. The heightened breathing and flared nostrils. "As I said, I'm positive I'm past that phase."

Wendy folds her arms in her lap and shifts her body weight. "Good. That's all I wanted to know."

"We can continue on with the interview." He suggests in a calculated toned that scares me. He's pushing true anger far away from the surface. Wendy hit a nerve.

"You can't blame my concern. Your track record isn't the best. But." She raises her hands in defeat. "I could be wrong."

"He's different now." I defend my fiancé. "I see how that's hard to believe."

"It is hard to believe, especially when this is out there." A wave of gasps and exclaims emit from the audience. Their sights meet the screen behind the sofa. I'm too rattled to turn and see. It must be a dirty picture of Jace with a woman. But judging by the crowd's reaction, it's far worse. There's horror and shame. Disappointment and disgust.  

What could possibly be on the screen??! My fiancé is still as a statue. He's calicornered on the couch, meaning he sees the screen without having to turn. His face is full of fury. I turn to view the screen. A boy...about eight years old is displayed. Dark hair, green eyes. The same nose and mouth as Jace. As my Jace.  

WHAT? NO! IT CAN'T BE! THAT HAS TO BE PHOTOSHOPPED! A HOAX!!  

"Miss Madison, are you aware of your fiancé's love child?"