“Thank you.” Those two words, coming from Vaughn’s warm baritone, drained what remained of her tension.
She smiled at him. “I keep telling you we make a great team.”
“I know you don’t like being the disciplinarian.” Vaughn leaned against the stage. “Although you’re good at it.”
“We can’t have you yelling at the actors.” Benita crossed to the audience seats and settled onto one. “You won’t build loyalty that way.”
“You’re right.”
“People have always liked you, though.” Her lips curved into a smile. “They were more wary of me.”
“And you never gave a damn.” Vaughn jerked his chin toward the auditorium doors through which their cast had left. “Who do you think will back out?”
“No one.” Benita stood, collecting her jacket and purse. “Are you ready to go?”
“What about Ginny?” Vaughn straightened from the stage. He grabbed his coat from one of the folding audience chairs. “She’s going on vacation.”
“She’s thinking of taking a vacation.” Benita fell into step beside Vaughn as they left the auditorium. It felt good to have his tall, lean body beside her. “Ginny tested us and failed.”
“CeCe’s not comfortable with the schedule.”
“She’s dating Stan.” Benita attempted to shrug into her jacket.
“So?” Vaughn reached behind Benita to assist her with her coat. Benita wanted to linger over the moment. His body was warm behind her. His soap and cedar scent wrapped around her.
What was his question? “Stan’s not worried about the schedule.” She led Vaughn down the narrow staircase from the second floor to the main lobby. “He’ll reassure CeCe that the schedule’s feasible. Don’t worry, Vaughn. You won’t have to suffer through another round of auditions.”
“I hope you’re right.” Vaughn slipped into his jacket with an all-too-brief shrug of his muscles.
By this time, they were outside. It was well after nine P.M. The campus was almost eerily silent. Benita walked beside Vaughn to the university parking lot across the street. They followed the lampposts that weaved around the campus Oval, cutting a path through the inky darkness.
Benita inhaled the late spring breeze, crisp and sweet. “Are you ready for Opal’s interview tomorrow?”
Opal Gutierrez was the newest reporter with The Trinity Falls Monitor. Darius was her boss. He’d assigned Opal to interview Benita and Vaughn about the musical.
“Why do I have to be interviewed?” Vaughn’s question was querulous.
“Do you want people to actually attend the musical?”
“Of course I do.” Vaughn gave her a look. Even in the shadows, she could see the glint of annoyance in his dark eyes.
“Then un
less you want to go knocking door to door, I’d suggest you do the newspaper interview.”
Vaughn’s scowl deepened. “Why don’t you do the interview?”
Benita chuckled. “It’s not my play.”
“You’ve read the script.”
“You wrote it. You’re the best person to discuss it.” Benita paused at the curb, looking left, then right before crossing the street. “But I’ll be there with you.”
Vaughn was silent for several steps. Benita could feel his mind turning over plots and ideas.
“Why do we have to do the interview if we’re running an ad?” Vaughn asked.
“Do I need to give you a quick lesson in public relations and promotion?”