Page 136 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

“But being asked back for the sequel would have opened many doors for you,” she says. “Do you think your name has been tainted?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s more about the fact that I’ve been messing up my auditions. My parents and Chase keep telling me to believe in myself, but at the back of my mind, all I see is a failure because I wasn’t asked back. I know that’s the industry, but…” I puff out my cheeks. “Maybe I’m being overdramatic. But I don’t want to think about it anymore. I want to focus on the play. It’s going to be incredible.”

She searches my eyes. “Are you okay, though?”

I nod. “I’m great.”

And honestly, I am—because she’s sitting next to me. Of course I’m still bothered about the lack of jobs, but I’m happy to live in the moment, to be at this beautiful ball with this remarkable girl. “Want to go back to the ball?”

She places her hand on the back of my head as she stares into my eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay, Declan?”

I smile warmly at her. “Only because you’re here with me.” I stand and hold out my hand to her. “May I escort you to the ball, Miss Park?”

She places her hand in mine and allows me to help her up. “I’d love to, Mr. Hart.”

Smiling, we return to the ballroom and I twirl her toward my chest. Her back rests against me, and we stare at each other for a short while before I twirl her again.

“Got some sexy moves there, Mr. Charming,” she says.

Chuckling, I hold her securely, then dip her. “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet, Miss Drama.” I straighten her up, then spin her a few times, ending with her back on my chest again.

Trailing my lips to her ear, I whisper, “Thanks for giving me an amazing night, Mia.”

Turning around, she smiles and says, “It isn’t over yet.” She wraps her arms around my neck, pushing herself closer to me.

I close my arms around her waist and we sway to the soft song. She lays her head on my chest. Can she feel how hard my heart is pounding?

I lower my face to her hair and breathe in her Mia smell that makes me feel like the happiest, luckiest person in the world. I told her I like her, but what she doesn’t know is that my feelings go way, way beyond like. I’d tell her how I feel, but I don’t want to overwhelm her. We’ve been through so much and I think it’s best we take this slow.

So I bask in our time together. I know the slow song might end soon and a fast-paced one will play, but at least we have this special moment now.

***

My phone blares in my ear on Monday morning. I’m still sleeping and figure whatever it is can wait. Or it’s probably a wrong number. I still have about half an hour before I need to get ready for school.

The phone rings a second time, but I choose to ignore it again. I’m finally drifting back to sleep when my door barges open.

“Declan!” Chase shakes me. “Wake up. Quentin is on the phone and needs to talk to you ASAP.”

“Go away. It’s too early.”

“Declan! Talk to him.”

My eyes slowly open. “What for? So he should tell me another producer or casting director doesn’t want me? No thanks.” I turn around to the other end of my bed.

He pulls off my cover and I’m suddenly hit with a cold breeze. “Dude! What the heck?”

He shoves his phone in my face. “Talk to your agent or so help me, Declan Hart.”

I sit up and snatch the phone. “Fine.” I place the phone to my ear. “Morning, Quentin. What’s up?”

“Declan, sorry to call you so early, but this couldn’t wait. The producers of The Beat of My Heart would like you to star in the sequel.”

“What?”

“They’d like you to star in the sequel to The Beat of My Heart.”

I’m too shocked to speak, so I just stare at the wall.

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