Love Unrehearsed by Tina Reber Page A

of anything. She tugged on a man’s suit coat and the moment he turned around I immediately recognized him. He was the only film director I knew personally.
    “Oh, yes! Yes of course. Mr. Follweiler. It’s so nice to see you again!”
    “Taryn my dear!” Jonathan Follweiler smiled, hugging me awkwardly. His rough gray beard pricked my cheek. “Oh, it’s good to see you, too! How have you been? Well, I hope?”
    I nodded quickly.
    “You look absolutely radiant,” he complimented, admiring me sincerely.
    “You look quite dashing yourself, sir,” I replied. His sapphire hankie and necktie suited him well.
    “‘Sir’? No, no, Taryn, please call me Jonathan. So how’s our boy doing these days?” he asked, craning his neck in Ryan’s direction.
    “He’s great.” It was the most benign answer I could give, considering the earlier circumstances. “And he’s anxious to get back to work.” And away from this insanity .
    “Good! So am I,” he admitted on the sly. “Are you coming to Vancouver with Ryan?”
    “Yes. As soon as we come back from the European press junket,” I said.
    Jonathan smiled warmly. “That’s wonderful news. Then you and Anna can keep each other company.”
    I felt a hand touch my shoulder. It was Trish. “Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt. Taryn, we’re ready for your photo op with Ryan,” she said.
    “Right. No worries,” Anna said with a wink. “We can catch up later.”
    “I look forward to seeing you at the after-party,” I said, reaching to give them both a hug goodbye. It was almost pure elation to finally feel accepted by some of the influential people in my new life—in our new life.
    Ryan smiled and seemed relieved to see me again, but as soon as I was next to him, his brow furrowed and he appeared wary. “You ready for this?”
    I gave him a reassuring smile and a quick nod. “I’m ready.”
    Ryan led me by the hand to stand in front of a huge wall emblazoned with the Reparation movie logo. He quickly stepped behind me, standing on my right side instead of my left.
    “Okay,” I giggled nervously, confused as to why he repositioned himself.
    Ryan placed his lips right next to my ear. “Put your hand on my chest.” He laughed lightly to make it look like we were sharing a private joke. “I want everyone to see your ring,” he said emphatically, gazing into my eyes with a certain tenderness that was mesmerizing. “It’s time to go big or go home. I want everyone to know you’re mine, Taryn.”
    We smiled and posed while the press took our picture a million times. The photographers were yelling our names so often that I didn’t know which camera I was supposed to look at.
    Ryan’s grin was infectious. “Did I tell you how exceptionally beautiful you look tonight?”
    As I gazed up into his eyes, personal vanity was low on my emotion chart. Instead, I said what I truly felt. “I am so proud of you.”
    My smile broadened as he rested his forehead on mine.
    “I love you,” he whispered, his fingertips gently holding my raised chin. “Never doubt that.” And then, in front of hundreds of cameras—softly, adoringly—he kissed me.

Chapter 4
    Party
    Once Ryan’s public appearance outside was over, we made our way into the plush theater for the screening of Reparation . Gone were the feelings of doubt, replaced by new confidence about my role as his fiancée.
    I tried to concentrate on the film but it was difficult, knowing that Ryan was mostly watching my reactions instead of the screen. He had already seen the film during private screenings when he had to do voice-overs and I knew he didn’t like watching his own movies. He said it was the narcissistic aspect of it that bothered him.
    Ryan whispered with disbelief into my ear. “Are you crying ?”
    “Shh.” I elbowed him gently and wiped the moisture from my cheek. I couldn’t help it; Ryan’s character had just saved a bullied teenage girl from committing suicide when she tried to hang herself in