Page 68 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

“But I couldn’t do it without you.”

I shook my head and let her go. This job meant so much to her, and if things kept going like this, it would officially be hers.

But we weren’t out of the woods yet. We were a result-based school. The parents might be happy now, Rutton might be happy now, but that could turn at the drop of a dime.

“I wish you didn’t have rehearsals tonight,” Lilly said. “We should celebrate.”

I snorted. Given where my head was lately, celebrating with my best friend would have been a welcome distraction. I needed a few shots to shake that kiss loose. But alas, the stage waits for no woman.

“We’ll do a round of boozy bingo this weekend. I’ll need it after tonight. Miles and Kira agreed to kiss.”

Lilly’s face fell. “What about Theo?”

“He gave Kira permission.”

She frowned. “That’s… surprising.”

It was. But I wasn’t about to question it. That would’ve involved talking to him.

Amphitheater

Friday Night

Gem walked into my line of sight, breaking up the staring contest I was having with the back wall of the stage. Staring at inanimate objects seemed to be my thing today.

She pushed her hands through her hair and said, “I don’t think any of this will be done in time.”

“It’ll be fine.”

She gestured at the sawed bits of wood and half-painted sets. “This looks fine to you?”

I shrugged. “We don’t need to have a big production every year, Gem.”

She sighed. “But you know that I do. I’m a one-woman army, and if the parents decide they don’t get value out of my classes, there goes my department.”

Well, she had a point. Rutton was pretty invested in parental opinions, and every department was feeling that pressure.

“It’ll be okay. They’ll finish what they’ve started.”

Gem eyed me doubtfully. “Well, Rochelle might. I overheard Kira mention that her aunt doesn’t work a regular job because she divorced a billionaire.”

I made a sound in my throat, and Gem smirked at my expression.

“Well,” I managed, “that must be nice for her.”

“Oh, no, actually. Apparently, she really loved him. She was devastated when he cheated.”

“That’s horrible.”

It seemed like between Kira’s mother and Rochelle’s divorce, the Hudson family couldn’t catch a break.

“She’s happy painting here, though. Let’s hope that holds, because I can’t have my stage looking like this on show night.”

I raised a brow at her. “Priorities, Gem. We should try keeping them straight, shouldn’t we?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” She sighed. “At least Kira and Miles agreed to kiss. That’s something. And you’re getting along with her father, so that’ll help. It means you won’t have to leave when he gets here.”

My heart dropped just as my stomach jumped, and it felt like they collided right in my midsection. It left me stunned.