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I’m distracted by Sophie over her shoulder again. She’s still giggling at Nick, who is arguably better dressed than I am.
My eyes meet Maureen’s, which are watching mine with interest. I try to smile. “You know, you don’t clean up too bad yourself.” I don’t even look at her dress.
She smirks and bites her lip. It should be enticing, but all it does is remind me of the way Sophie looks when she bites hers.
I gesture toward Nick and Sophie. “I was just headed this way to chat. Would you like to join me?”
Maureen nods eagerly, so I put my hand at the small of her back as we cross the room. When we stop alongside the two of them, Nick notices the intrusion first. He doesn’t seem pleased. I’m ok with that. Sophie’s eyes immediately go to my hand on Maureen’s back. I leave it there purposefully.
“So, what did you think of the table read?” I ask both of them.
Sophie takes a sip from the wine glass she holds. “I thought it was great. And I talked to George. He’s really happy.”
I nod, finally dropping my hand from Maureen’s back and shoving it into my pocket. “I talked to him too. He’s pretty excited to get rehearsals underway.”
Nick speaks up. “There’s a fair bit of tweaking that still needs attention on the accents. But we’ll have to talk about that at the studio on Tuesday, Kai. We’re running out of time.”
I stare pointedly at him for a minute, biting back a foul comment. I turn to Maureen instead. “Are we running any of your scenes Tuesday?”
“Yeah, we’re starting with a group scene, remember? You, me, Sophie, Brent?” She smiles brightly.
“Oh, that’s right,” I reply, looking at Sophie again.
Nick has turned toward her too, averting his attention from me. “So, after your history tour tomorrow, you’ll probably be frozen solid. When you get back, maybe we can meet in the props room? I can have a coffee ready for you.”
“Oh, yes that’s right.” She shifts her weight nervously. “To work on a few more of those non-rhotic techniques you were telling me about?”
“Yes, I think you’re getting there though.” He smiles. “I’m really impressed.”
“Won’t you be too busy though? I don’t want to take up too much of your time.” She peers at him carefully.
He waves her off. “Oh, it’s not a problem at all. I’ve got plenty of time. I’m glad to help.”
I actually scoff out loud, but I quickly clear my throat to cover it up. “So, Maureen,” I begin, still looking directly at Sophie on purpose. “We’ll chat about characters tomorrow? We can meet in my room?”
Sophie’s jaw twitches, but she manages to hold it together. I’m not proud of myself, but there is something satisfying about seeing her jealous. I smirk and finally look over at Maureen, who is positively beaming at me.
“Oh, I would love to.” She rises up on her toes in excitement.
“Excellent.” I take a long swig of my beer and glance back at Sophie, who looks a great deal more irritated than she’d ever let on, and Nick, who doesn’t seem like he could care less.
“Well, I’m starving.” I rub my stomach. “I think I’m going to go get something to eat.”
“I’ll come with!” Maureen is eager to continue being my shadow, and Sophie’s knitted brow is enough motivation for me to gladly accept Maureen’s enthusiasm. So, I offer her my elbow, turn toward the buffet, and leave a grateful Nick and a disgruntled Sophie in our wake.
ELEVEN
Sophie
“You didn’t tell me he was that cute, Sophie,” Maureen whispers in my ear as we make our way through Central Park, following a tour guide who looks completely unfazed by the cold. A few fluffy snowflakes fall from the sky this morning, and the air smells like more is coming.
I pull my coat around my shoulders, watching Kai’s dark curls a few yards ahead of us. “I…well, I didn’t think you cared.” I grimace at my nonsensical response.
“So, what’s his story? The rumor is you knew him before all this?”
I scoff. “Barely. I don’t really know his story.” I continue to watch the back of his head. I’m fascinated by the way the flakes of snow land loosely in his hair and hang on as he walks.
“Well, is he single? Because if he is, there must be something awfully wrong with him…because…I mean, look at him,” she replies.
