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Failed show after failed show, all those countless hours. The years of unpaid time sunk into productions that never made it off the ground and now … we only have the shows this weekend left, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t exhausted as fuck, but I don’t want it to end.
And it might not.
I’m struggling to hold on to that idea.
As soon as I walk out of there, I call Gabe and give him the news since he’s been there for me through everything. He’s ecstatic, and when we hang up, warmth floods me that I have someone else in my corner I can call. I’ve never had that before.
Émile answers almost instantly.
“Reece just broke the news that we’ve got interest in the show, and the investor is talking multiple cities—maybe even New York—and they want as much of the original cast on it as they can.”
There’s a beat of silence, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s trying to figure out what the hell all that word vomit was about. When he answers me, his voice is soft. The most genuine I’ve ever heard from him.
“Wow. You are so damn incredible.”
I huff, turning my face down and kicking the pavement. “It was a team effort.”
“In the nicest way possible, I don’t give a fuck about any of them. I want to say I’m proud of you, but that holds a claim I have no right to. So … yeah. I think you’re incredible.”
This lump builds in my chest, eyes and nose prickling with emotion that I press back. “So, it umm, it means I might have to travel. All over …”
“We’ll work it out.”
We’ll work it out.
So simple, said with the kind of confidence I’ve never felt a day in my life. And … I believe him.
“We will?”
“Of course we will. I … I’ve grown quite fond of you.”
A shaky laugh falls from my lips and I duck my head again. “I’m, uh,fondof you too.”
“I think we should probably talk about some things.”
I nod at the sidewalk, because he’s right. Our original arrangement was supposed to be pretend, no feelings involved, but I’m definitely feeling a whole world of emotions for him, and now I don’t know what that means moving forward.
Do we still get married? If we don’t, what happens to his money? To his plans? The agreement of him paying off my debt long disappeared as a possibility when I decided to keep sleeping with him, but that doesn’t mean this should all be for nothing.
“Can I see you?” I ask.
“You can, but …”
“But you’re with your other fiancé tonight?”
“Boyfriend, actually.”
I grin. “Well, he’ll have to get in line. I’m demanding priority.”
“Damn, love. Who knew assertive could be quite so sexy on you?”
“Don’t get used to it.”
His laugh floods me with goodness.
“Look,” Émile says. “I’m going to this thing Gran is hosting. I can pick you up on the way, but I know you’ve just done two shows so it’ll be a lot for you to come out and be social. I’d love you there, but there’s absolutely no pressure on my end.”
“Normally it’d be a no, but I’m riding this high. Can you pick me up? I just have to head home and get changed.”
