Leon was going to be ecstatic, Danny thought as their limo came to a stop at the end of the red carpet outside the stately old theater. His friend had gone all out, inviting everyone with even a smidgen of media clout—but, despite his track record working on major productions, he’d been ignored by the vast majority of his invitees. He’d told Danny that over their most recent video call, his face crestfallen.

Leon’s theater buddies would’ve come en masse, of that Danny had zero doubt. They were as much a tight unit as any sports team—but most were currently appearing in shows in other parts of the world and could only offer their support long-distance.

Even the fact that Danny was a sure bet hadn’t eased Leon’s stress. Like Danny, he’d known that he’d need a few of the media darlings to turn up, the celebrities whose job it was to see and be seen and whose presence would ensure his play got mentioned online and in the papers.

Danny’s sports clout didn’t usually transfer over to this sphere.

Except tonight.

“Cameras out in full force,” he told Catie after taking a look outside the window. “Not to sound big-headed, but I think it’s for us.”

Catie leaned over to take a look. “Day-um.” She whistled as Danny pointed out the host of the biggest entertainment show in the country. “People are that invested in us being an us?”

“I guess so.” It surprised him too—he’d expected a little interest, but this was next level. “Unless someone else super famous is coming and we don’t know? Or it’s a slow news day? Not that it matters. Still works for what we need.”

But when Danny stepped out and turned to hold out his hand for Catie’s, the camera flashes all but blinded him. Yep, the media had turned out for him and Catie. Which would have been kind of terrifying if Catie hadn’t winked at him from inside the vehicle before she stepped out.

And suddenly he was grinning too. “Come on, princess,” he said, the two of them far enough away from the cameras that no one was going to pick up his voice over the shouting of the photographers.

He made sure he had a firm grip on Catie as she stepped out. He didn’t know how solidly Leon’s crew had laid out the red carpet, and who knew if they’d cleared away any ice underneath.

Catie gave him a hard glance as she exited. “You trying to break my hand?”