Bourbon and Ray-Bans

I woke up the morning of the premiere to loud banging on my hotel door. Lauren and Laurie were eager to get started. We had a full spa day ahead of us before we had to begin getting ready for the event. I’d never had a spa day in my life and didn’t know what to expect. They found me quite amusing when the masseuse told me I’d have to remove my clothes and wear a tiny towel for the full body. I stopped complaining as soon as those magic hands hit my back.

By 4 pm I had never felt so relaxed - almost like mush. My skin was like a baby’s, I swear. And I had no body hair left to speak of. Is this how the other half lived all the time? A girl could get used to it. Hell, anyone could get used to this.

Lauren and Laurie got dressed in record time while I just sat in my robe thinking about how long I was going to have to stand in those heels. I figured I’d be wanting to cut off my own feet after about five minutes. Laurie pulled me up and ordered me into my dress. I loved the dress. It was a beautiful green metallic with a deep v-neck that required pasties rather than a bra. I worried about their staying power, but the girls assured me they’d stay in place. I also worried about my ample cleavage on view. Lauren told me to shut my trap and enjoy what she could only dream of. A lady came in and did our hair and makeup. We did one last take in the mirror. Laurie deemed us totally ‘fuckable’, and we left laughing. I loved my life in that moment.

In the car, we had a little champagne - perhaps too much. Lauren asked me how I was dealing with all the swirling rumors about Norman and me. But I could tell what she really wanted to know was if there was any truth to them. I knew her and Steven enjoyed the same rumors.

“It’s just...you guys seem really close. In a way that puts me and Steven firmly into the friends category. Everyone on the show kind of assumes you two are either sleeping together or will at some point.” She looked at me knowingly. Laurie snorted through her champagne.

“I saw you two arrive at the studio at 5 am together. You live in the city; he lives in the boonies. There’s only one way that happens, and we want every single detail.” Laurie leaned over and pinched my boob. Seriously, too much champagne.

“I’m not sleeping with him. I did stay over at his house a few times when shooting went late. I don’t have time to drive home, sleep, and drive back. He lets me stay with him. I sleep on the sofa. Alone. Sorry to disappoint.”

“Bullshit,” Laurie squeaked. “You gotta give us something more than that. Hell, I’ve had a moment or two when I seriously considered hopping on that ride.” We were now a little more than tipsy.

“He’s never so much as looked at me inappropriately. I don’t fall in the Norman Reedus wheelhouse. Plus, I’m way too young.” Even I balked a bit at that last one.

“Sweetie, I think you’d fall in the too old category before the too young one. And double bullshit to he’s never looked at you inappropriately. That’s all he’s ever doing. Just wait until he sees you tonight. I see good, hard things in your future.” We all burst out laughing as the car slowed down and lined up behind the others letting people out at the entrance to the press line. Suddenly, I was reminded just how nervous I was and that I had downed all that alcohol while being expected to walk down that carpet in 4 inch skinny heels. Sometimes I wished I was religious.

The driver ran around and opened the door for us. Lauren and Laurie smoothly glided out of the car like old pros. Lauren grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the car. I was tempted to just pass on the whole thing and head back to the hotel. I started to feel more like a little girl dressed up in a clown suit rather than an actress on a hit television show. How did people do this all the time? The cameras were going 90 to nothing, and I instantly understood Norm’s obsession with his sunglasses. Not even the fan conventions could compare to this mayhem.

I tried to follow the girls’ lead. They were smiling and posing for pictures, stopping and chatting with the various press people asking for interviews. I answered a multitude of questions about the show, where it was heading during season two, how much death could be expected, and whether or not Grace and Daryl were going to ever be a thing. I had only been in the last two episodes of season one, but already the Lexon shippers were onboard and rabid.

Before the final photo op, I heard my name being shouted hysterically along with Norman’s. Looking up, I could see him standing before the cameras nonchalantly as the photographers snapped hundreds of pictures. They were all waving at me to join him. Everyone wanted that coveted Grace/Daryl shot.

He caught my eye and smiled shyly. He was dressed in a simple, but gorgeous, black suit. He probably hadn’t combed his hair in months and somehow he not only pulled that off, but managed to look sexy as hell in the process. My thoughts were turning dangerous as I walked towards him. I actually missed those Ray-Bans now that they were nowhere in sight.

His arm reached out for me and the cameras only got worse, if that was even possible. I wrapped my left arm around his waist and did my best to look like I belonged there. I could see Madison grinning at us and waving. She looked adorable. I felt Norman speak before I heard him. His lips lightly brushed my ear and his breath warmed my neck. Just keep smiling, girl. I chanted this over and over in my head.

“You are absolutely the most stunning thing on this carpet. Maybe even in this whole goddamn city.” I glanced at him briefly, but the way he was looking at me left me slightly breathless so I quickly turned back to the cameras and continued my smiling. Luckily, Andy arrived just in time to save me and joined us for the last few shots. I rejoined the ladies as Norman took his place at Maddie’s side.

“Told you,” Laurie quipped. I blushed and kept my mouth shut.

We found our seats in the theater and settled in. Drinks were served. Thank Jesus for bourbon. Watching the show on the big screen was amazing. We all felt so proud of what we were doing and how the finished product was looking. I took a silent moment to thank the powers that be for giving me this opportunity.

After the screening, we all did more media interviews. Norman and I were often put together since our characters had shared some fun moments in the woods looking for Sophia. Everyone seemed to want Daryl to teach Grace how to use the crossbow. I joked that Daryl allowing her to use that crossbow would be equivalent to a marriage proposal in the zombie apocalypse. No one seemed to mind if the story headed in that direction.

Once the press had cleared out, the actual party really got started. Everyone was having a blast. I had just met Elizabeth Moss from Mad Men, my current favorite tv show. We’d made plans to have coffee on Sunday. My life was becoming unrecognizable to me.

Someone I didn’t recognize approached me and complimented me on the show. He introduced himself as just ‘Damien’ and asked if he could get me another drink. I said sure and we headed over to the bar. After handing me my Jack and coke, he asked me if I’d like to go back to his place. Is this how fast LA guys worked?

I gave him my best ‘what the fuck’ look and politely said no thanks. He was attractive enough, but I couldn’t help thinking that I wasn’t the first girl he’d propositioned that evening. Pouting his lips, he started stroking my arm and smiling at me. I think I was suppose to swoon or something. Instead, I started looking around for someone to save me. No one within reaching distance looked familiar.

“I’m not proposing marriage, sweetheart. Just a good time. A girl in a dress like that could use a good time.” I seriously missed Georgia boys raised by Georgia mothers.

Pulling my arm away from him jerkily, I felt another arm snake itself around my waist. I knew it was Norman without looking. I breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed against him. He only had eyes for Damien.

“Everything good over here?” His voice was low and certain. Menacing, even.

Damien threw his arms up, all innocence and sunshine. “Yeah, man. Didn’t realize the little lady was taken. You should probably keep a closer eye on a piece like that, though. Know what I’m sayin’?” I felt Norman tense. I turned into him and placed my hand on his chest.

“It’s fine, Norm. Damien was just leaving, anyway. He’s anxious to get back to his place. Right, Damien?” The douchebag nodded and walked away.

“Fucking asshole. You alright? He do anything?”

“No. I’m fine. Had a good bit to drink, though. Should probably head out soon. Thanks for running interference. I’m not good with pushy guys. I just go into flight mode. It’s not something I often have to deal with.” I was babbling like a drunk co-ed. Moving away from his side, I put my empty drink glass on the bar and started for the exit as steadily as I could manage. His arm was around me again before I could take more than ten steps.

“Take your shoes off.”

“What?”

“Take ‘em off. We’re not going to have to walk that far. We’ll grab a car that’s right out front. No need to break an ankle in the process.” He looked at me expectantly. He wasn’t going to hear any arguments from me. I slipped off the strappy gold sandals, and we continued out the door. The air was chillier than I was dressed for. Norman took off his coat and handed it to me. I gladly wrapped it around my shoulders as he called a car.

“You don’t have to take me back. I can manage if you want to head back inside. You seemed to know half the people in there.”

“Yeah, worked with a bunch of them. But I’ve had enough of people for one night.” The car rolled forward, and we slipped inside.

“I’m people.”

“Yeah, but you’re my people.” I couldn’t help but smile at that comment.

“You’re my people, too. Thanks again for that back there and for getting me into this toasty car. Too bad an actual nice guy couldn’t bother to hit on me. I mean, my boobs are half hanging out. What’s a girl gotta do?” Shit, the alcohol was talking again.

“Just ask.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“What? Jusk ask what?” I was lost.

“Nothing. I just mean - you could have had any guy in that room. All you had to do was ask.”

“Why do I gotta ask? Maybe I want someone else to do the asking. No one ever does.” I could feel the pity party bus pulling up to the gate. Hopefully, he’d ignore me.

He looked at me intently for a long time. Then smiled and said, “They’re all afraid to ask.”

“Damien wasn’t.”

“Damien’s a shithead with half a brain and an inflated ego from years of hipster indie filmmaking who wouldn’t know what to do with a woman like you. Any guy who does know is terrified. Rejection sucks when it looks like you.” I gave him a dubious look.

“Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Thanks for the pretty words, anyway. Time go home and take a long, cold shower. I wonder if sex is like riding a bicycle?” Shut up, Brodie. I pinched my wrist to shock myself out of my own stupid thoughts. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get all emo.”

The car pulled up outside the Four Seasons, and we both got out and walked inside. I handed him back his coat and headed to the elevator lobby. He followed a few steps behind. As we rode up to the our respective floors I reached up to start taking the bobby pins out of my hair. Before long, he sidled up next to me and started to help. I quirked my lips at him, but let him continue. His fingers were so warm, and I liked the way they felt brushing through my hair. I really, really needed to get laid.

We managed to get the last of the pins out before we reached my floor. I probably looked like Medusa’s long-lost backwoods cousin, but I honestly couldn’t care less. Norman had seen me look and smell much worse.

“Night, Norm. We’re all still having breakfast in the morning, right?”

“Yeah. Get some sleep. Have sexy dreams.” I gave him a little laugh at that and turned around to head to my room. He grabbed my hand at the last minute, stopping me with one hand and the elevator door with the other.

“You gotta smile more. You have a ‘leave me the fuck alone’ vibe approximately 99% of the time. I have it, too. But no man on this planet could resist that smile. Especially from a dress wearing a girl as beautiful and smart as you.” He tugged me towards him and placed his hands on either side of my face. Kissing my forehead, he leaned down and whispered, “Night, B,” before leaning back into the elevator. I just stood there as the doors closed and he disappeared.