Ava Comes Home Read Online Free PDF Page B

nearby.
    The screaming fans sitting in the bleachers along the red carpet started calling her name and flashbulbs popped crazily as she slowly made her way through the throng. Whenever Camilla touched her lightly on the back, she knew she had to stop for photos. Immediately, she’d turn sideways with her right foot forward slightly and give a peek-a-boo look over her shoulder.
    Then it was on to the riser for the television show Movies Now! She climbed the stairs and was momentarily stunned to see Scott Fredericks standing there, with his wife on his arm. Ava and Scott hadn’t laid eyes on each other since that day in her trailer. She wanted to turn around and run but the hostess Jan Munroe grabbed her arm and with her dazzling smile drew Ava close to Scott before turning to the camera. “Look who we have here tonight: Scott Fredericks and Ava Harris. Both nominated for an Academy Award for different movies, but isn’t your new film together slated for release this summer?”
    â€œThat’s right, Jan,” Scott said. “It’s great to see you again, Ava.” He reached over and gave Ava a kiss on the cheek. She smiled at him.
    â€œAva, did you enjoy working with Scott?” Jan asked.
    â€œVery much. He’s a great actor.”
    â€œNow before I let you go, Ava, who are you wearing?”
    Ava rhymed off the dress designer, the shoemaker, and the jeweler, which she considered an accomplishment considering she could barely remember her own name. Jan Munroe asked the same question of Scott and then sent them on their way with a “Good luck to you both.”
    As they turned to go back down the stairs, Scott paused and whispered, “Hope you lose.”
    Ava ignored him.
    Then on with the continuous smiling and chatting into microphones as she made her way to the grand spiral staircase that connected the four lobby levels. Trent and Camilla said goodbye there and went off to their balcony seats while Ava and Lola continued on. The theatre, which seated over three thousand, had three balcony levels and twenty-four theatre boxes set off by a highlighted “tiara,” a striking oval coated in silver leaf and intertwined with smaller ovals high above their heads within the vaulted ceiling.
    It was overwhelming and Ava wanted to take it all in, but there were so many people trying to maneuver down the aisle that she didn’t dare stop. Eventually they made it to their seats. She was two rows back from the stage, right on the aisle, along with most of the nominees; for those who won, the walk to the microphone would be as smooth as could be.
    Lola counted down how many awards were to be presented before they got to her category. “Only seven before you.”
    â€œStop talking. You’re making me nervous.” Ava reached into her jeweled clutch and pulled out a hankie. She dabbed at her upper lip. “It’s warm in here.”
    Lola leaned over and whispered, “This place is crawling with Hollywood royalty. These people are so hot it’s a wonder this entire building doesn’t spontaneously combust.”
    Ava nudged her with her elbow. “Don’t make me laugh.”
    â€œSorry.”
    Ava smiled at some of the biggest names in Hollywood taking their seats in front of her. Most of them didn’t acknowledge her, too preoccupied with their own big night, but a few gave her a brief nod or a quick smile. She refused to look at Scott, who as luck would have it was seated in the same row across the aisle. Her first award of the evening turned out to be the look on Scott Fredericks’ face when he lost the Oscar to a relative newcomer.
    Ava held Lola’s hand and tried to look relaxed if she noticed a camera trained her way, but inside she was shaking. She honestly didn’t know if she wanted to win. The thought of climbing those steps up to the stage was daunting. She’d rather stay in her seat and clap for someone else.
    In the