"Yeah." Grayson doesn't look up from the pile of books he's sorting.
"ButKyle? Wasn't there anyone else? Why didn't you go?"
That gets Grayson's attention. "Because I'm busy as hell in here. And if you were so concerned, why didn'tyouoffer to go?" He cocks an eyebrow at me.
"You know I'm in the weeds here, mate."
"So then what's your problem?"
"You know how Kyle is. He's probably hitting on her right this very moment," I say nonchalantly.
"And do you think she'd go for him?"
"Hell, no. Not a chance."
Grayson smirks. "Then what's the big deal?"
I don't dignify him with a response. Not responding is my specialty. I have a string of text messages from Tabitha that I didn't answer. In any other setting, it'd be ghosting. But no, not for me. I'm bringing the woman I'm blowing off across the country to work with me.
Against my better judgment.
"What's the update?" I've asked Grayson this question at least three times a day for the past eight weeks. Once the announcement went out that Tabitha "Tabby Cat" Stetson would be in our production ofThe Greatest Showman, ticket sales exploded. We added an additional show on Thursday night to accommodate all of those interested. So we've just ratcheted up the ante by opening a day earlier. Swell.
"We've had three tickets open up on Sunday."
"Okay, I'll contact the wait list. Want me to offer them to the next party or the next party of three?"
Grayson gazes off into space, as if he's doing long division in his head. "If there's a party of two and one ahead of a party of three, do that. Otherwise skip down to the party of three."
Our ticket sales for the entire season are up. This is a massive contrast to last summer. Now we have a waitlist!
Grayson knocks me off cloud nine with his next statement. "I hope she can do it."
That's the elephant in the room. Once Tabitha connected with Grayson, the train barreled out of the station at full speed. No one bothered to make sure all the wheels were intact.
"You sent her the book and music, right?"
Grayson nods. "For the millionth time, yes."
"Did she have questions? Has she asked for guidance?"
"Nope. Nothing."
The pit in my stomach deepens. It's been growing by the day. "Gray, what—"
"Don't say it." He holds his hand up, cutting me off. "It's going to be swell. It'll be great. We're gonna have the whole world on the plate."
I stand up and walk toward the door. "This is not the time to channel your inner Ethel Merman. If she can't pull it off, The Edison could go up in smoke."
I head outside, the sun bright on this mid-June day. Thoughts, mostly ones I don't want to think about, flood my brain.
Can she do this part?
Were we stupid to cast her?
Will she be mad at me for blowing her off?
Will she be happy to see me?
