Has anyone gone to an event that involves the mutual interest of you and your nex?

This is after all NC and they've smear campaigned once I saw through the nonsense and stood up for myself. It's in an area where everyone knows everyone and I'm a newer person to the interest area but will more than likely run into the nex a few times a year. My main concern is if he acts out towards me at all in front of others but I highly doubt he'd want to lose face. It's a subject I'm passionate about and refuse to back down on this as I'm allowed to hold space for myself too.