The way his gaze sharpens, never deviating from her tells me that my intuition is spot on.
Motherfucker!
If there weren’t people hemming me in, I’d stomp over and rip him a new one. I’m so intent on keeping my eyes on him that I don’t realize the play has ended until the heavy curtain drops and the theater is once again illuminated. A few moments later, the red drapery rises, revealing the gathered cast as they hold hands and take a bow. The audience climbs to their feet en masse as applause echoes throughout the auditorium.
Elle beams from ear to ear. I’ve never seen her look happier than when she’s performing on stage. She’s a natural born actress and this has always been her happy place. I’m glad I didn’t miss it. I would have been kicking myself for months if I’d stayed away. It’s galling to realize I have Asher to thank for it.
Let’s just hope the guy can keep his big trap shut when it comes to our previous discussion.
When the curtain drops for a second time, I glance back to where professor I’m-gonna-take-advantage-of-the-young-girls-in-my-class is loitering, only to find he’s disappeared.
Dammit!
I crane my neck, combing through the crowd but don’t see him anywhere. Part of me wonders if my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me and he was never really here.
Just as I’m about to slip from the theater, my name is called out.
About a dozen rows in front of me, I spot Katherine, the guy she’s seeing, Brayden, and Sydney. They’re steadily moving up the center aisle, making their way toward me. Once they’re close enough, Katherine pulls me into her arms for a quick hug. After we break apart, I shake her boyfriend’s hand.
“Thought you couldn’t make it?” Brayden raises a brow.
I shrug and try to play it cool. After my convo with Asher, I don’t want to do anything that will tip him off. “I shifted a few things around. No big deal.”
Katherine smiles. “That was so sweet of you. I know Elle will appreciate you showing up to support her.”
“Of course.” I point toward the double doors, only wanting to make a hasty escape. I’ve done my due diligence, now it’s time to scram. “I should really get back and get cracking on my work. It’s gonna be a long night.”
Before I can slip away, Elle joins our small group. She’s still grinning. Her face is radiant and she’s vibrating with pent-up energy. She must feel the same way I do after a big game when we’ve crushed our opponents into the ground. I can only imagine the adrenalin pumping wildly through her veins. She looks as if she’s on top of the world.
It's tempting to stare and simply drink her in.
Katherine’s boyfriend steps forward and hands Elle a carefully wrapped bouquet of fresh flowers. Surprise lights up her eyes as she buries her nose in the blooms.
“Thank you! They’re beautiful.”
“You were really wonderful up there,” Theo says. “The play was fantastic. I told your mother that we should see it one more time.”
Dammit. I should have picked up flowers. Why didn’t I think about that?
Katherine nods, agreeing with the idea. “We’ll have to figure out a day next week.”
Brayden and Sydney congratulate her, each pulling her in for a hug.
“Hey, Elle!” A guy in costume saunters over. “Great job!”
“You, too!”
“Everyone’s heading to Anthony’s for an afterparty. Are you coming with?” His gaze flickers to encompass the rest of us. “Your friends are welcome, if they want.”
She nods before glancing at the group. “Are you guys interested?”
“Sure,” Sydney answers before Brayden can beat her to the punch. Although it’s doubtful his response would have been the same.
I smirk at him.
“Awesome! I’m going to change and then we can head over.”
Elle gives her mother and even Theo a hug before bounding away. It’s so easy to see that the theater is her element. I can’t imagine her doing anything else that would make her this happy.
Now that I’ve come here and done what I needed to, it’s time to take off. I jerk a thumb over my shoulder before retreating a step. “I should probably—”
Brayden shakes his head before throwing an arm across my shoulders. “No way, dude. If I have to attend this artsy party, so do you.”
I groan. “But I have—”
“Tough shit. We won’t stay long.”
He gives me the same smirk I’d flashed at him about thirty seconds ago.
Asshole.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Elle
There’s an air of excitement as I stop and chat with the different groups of people who have gathered to celebrate the success of our opening night. Everyone from the production has shown up for the party—cast members, crew, costume and set designers, lighting and sound engineers, along with the director.
This was our first performance and we slayed it. Hopefully the rest of the shows will run just as smoothly and be as well received by the audience.