A Reason to Celebrate

Author’s Note: For all the Thomas Hunt stans out there, that last chapter was incredible.  I love digging into Thomas’s mind and wanted to write this little “behind the scenes” piece. This is also my submission for @Choices-September-Challenge day 30 prompt ‘Celebrate.’   I hope you enjoy!

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Thomas Hunt was never one for idle chat and preferred to keep most conversations concise and to the point.  If he was completely honest, most individuals failed to hold his attention for long, which made any attempts at extensive dialogue decisively difficult.  However tonight, as the host of The Last Duchess wrap party, he was obligated to at least aknowledge each of the partygoers and personally thank them for their support of the new film.  Therefore he had stationed himself within observing distance of the only entrance to the festivities, allowing him ample opportunity to greet each incoming guest.  But the fact that he also had his eye out for the star of the film had, admittedly, little to do with the movie they were promoting.

Thomas’s mind drifted as the Hollywood investor he was standing in front off started droning on and on about the latest special effect advancements.  He nodded his head politely as the man spoke animatedly, however mentally he was back in that screening room last night. He recalled the attentive look in Candace’s eyes as he explained the genesis of his obsessive editing habits, a glimpse of understanding and sadness behind her chocolate irises when he spoke of his use of movies as an escape during his difficult childhood.  Hell, the fact that any of these confessions had passed from his lips was proof enough that he was already enamored with this woman.

“Mr. Hunt?”  Thomas realized his conversation companion had been asking him a question.  He snapped back to the present, nodding his head with knitted brows to acknowledge that he was in fact listening.  “So do you think you will ever want to incorporate any of these new supernatural effects in any of your films? My group would be happy to cover the initial costs if you decided to go down that path.”  The investor inquired.

Thomas cleared his throat, trying to to find the most precise yet diplomatic manner to let this man down gently.  “You know I’m not one for special effects, Howard. I much prefer to let the actors carry the weight of the film in the quality of their performances …”

As soon as the investor finally got the hint that Thomas was not interested in bastardizing any of his upcoming films with CGI technology, the man finally moved along to the buffet table, leaving Thomas alone with his thoughts.  His eyes flitted towards the door again, his heart dropping at the realization that she still had not arrived.  His mind flashed back to the feel of her soft, warm lips on his last night, the faint smile at their corner as he pulled away.  That lone golden curl brushing against his cheek as she beamed down at him. What if I pushed her away, scared her off for stopping in the heat of the moment, wanting to sleep on it and see what happens in the light of day.  What if she decided it was a mistake and doesn’t show? He pondered, the dreadful thought forming a knot in the pit of his stomach.  She hadn’t looked scared, quite the opposite really.  Then she’d said it … she had said that she looked forward to the light of day.  And she looked like she meant it, he remembered wistfully.  Suddenly he realized where he was, mentally chastising himself for fawning over a woman when he was supposed to be showcasing his new film.  Their new film.  He really needed a drink to calm his nerves.

He flagged down one of the servers waltzing by, gripping two champagne flutes and lifting them from the tray.  He immediately raised one to his lips, swallowing down almost its entire contents of chilled fizzy liquid before a flash of lilac caught his attention near the entry.  The champagne nearly caught in his throat as he momentarily forgot how to swallow, causing him to cough once as his reflexes kicked back into gear. She was a vision …

Candace stood near the front door talking to Addison, her radiant smile on full display with her long blonde curls swept up into a messy chignon.  The lace bodice of the chic lilac purple gown accented her already statuesque figure in the all the right places. As she nodded her head in conversation at Addison, he saw her eyes peer around the room to take in the scene.  And then they came to rest upon him, the man blatantly admiring her from afar, and he saw the instant brightening in her eyes and flush of her cheeks as her face lit up in a grin. She swiftly finished her conversation with Addison before slipping away and sashaying towards him.

“Thomas.”  She acknowledged him subtly, a faint smirk lifting the corners of her lips.  “I see you know how to throw a party after all.” She teased, eliciting a small chuckle of amusement from deep within his throat.

“Why of course, Miss Taylor.  Only the best in honor of our latest film.”  He nodded slightly, tipping the full glass of champagne towards her.

“Oh, good, champagne.”  She accepted the glass with a smile, dropping her eyes for a moment as she blushed.  When she finally looked back up to meet his gaze, her eyes glistening under the bright lights, she lifted her glass to meet his.  Clink.  “To the light of day, Thomas.”

Thomas couldn’t suppress the relieved exhale he finally released, his mouth curling into an uncharacteristic cheerful grin.  “To the light of day … Candace.” They both took a sip of their drinks, their eyes never leaving each other’s stare. Tonight they had so many wonderful things to celebrate.

END