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Betty was busy adding a fruit platter to the buffet table, but I caught her quick smile over her shoulder.
“Time off?” asked Peter, having just walked up. “Since when do you take time off from musicals?”
“Since I have better things to do with my time.” My gaze remained on Betty.
She turned to us and rolled her eyes. “You can audition if you want to. I don’t care.”
I already knew Mandy was gunning for the lead and though Betty and I were in a solid relationship, I didn’t want to spend hours every day with Mandy at rehearsal. I wanted to be with my girl.
“I’ll go for the next straight play after that.”
“Wonderful!” Peter’s eyes lit up. “I’m doingOdd Couplein the fall.”
“Another Neil Simon?” Betty’s smile brightened.
“Yep, and there’s a part in there for you.” He winked at her.
“Sounds like fun,” she said, hooking her arm with mine and giving it a squeeze. Just as quickly, she let me go. “I’m going to go say hi to your parents.”
I nodded and glanced around the room, happy to see that Brittany was flirting it up with Mike from the sound and light crew. She’d realized I was a hopeless cause. It probably had to do with the fact that during the curtain call of our first performance, after our break-up and make-up, I’d hauled Betty into my arms and kissed her soundly in front of the entire audience.
I grabbed a glass of wine from the buffet table set along the wall as Peter sidled up to me.
“We had record-breaking sales onBarefoot, you know,” he said, smiling triumphantly. “Never before has BPAL had a straight play do so well,” he added.
“That’s awesome to hear,” I told him.
“You guys should be proud of the job you did.”
“So should you.”
He laughed and tapped his wine glass to mine. “The board members are convinced it was the stage chemistry between you and Betty that caught fire. After the first weekend, every show was sold out. People must’ve told all their friends and family in Beauville.”
It might’ve also had something to do with our real chemistry beyond the stage, but I didn’t bother telling him that. It was a special kind of thrill to play opposite the woman you loved on stage. I had no idea how fun, how exhilarating, how fulfilling it would be. Almost as much as playing with her off stage.
Almost.
My dad appeared at my side out of nowhere. “Dad, this is the director of my last show, Peter Thompson.”
They shook hands then Peter said, “Your son is quite an asset to BPAL. He’s a great actor.”
“Yes, he is.” Then he turned abruptly to me and clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m proud of him.”
While Peter said he agreed and started chatting away with my father, I stared at him like I didn’t know him.
Sure, we’d called a truce where he promised not to overstep into my business, but he’d never complimented me so openly. Especially about theater, which he’d always thought was trivial.
My gaze strayed to Betty standing next to my mother, who was saying something to her with a smile. But Betty’s knowing expression caught me and held me captive.
“Thanks, Dad,” I said casually, as if we had these sorts of exchanges every day. “Excuse me a minute.”
Setting my glass of wine on a side table, I maneuvered toward Betty and grabbed her hand, “Sorry, Mom, I need to steal her.”
As she laughed, I tugged Betty through the kitchen, where Lily was slicing up the cake and serving pieces on plates. I led Betty out to the back porch.
Swooping her into my arms, I pressed a deep kiss to her sweet mouth, tasting and lingering, nipping at her bottom lip before angling again to sweep my tongue along hers. The intimacy of it penetrated straight through me, to kiss my lover. My love. It was beautiful. And I was grateful for it. To have her.
“Thank you,” I murmured against her lips.
