Page 31 of Rebel Romeo

Nolan’s brows lift. “Now we go in there and give Holden and Missy some of that on-stage chemistry they’ve all been buzzing about.”

My brows furrow further and I look back down at the article.

Nolan and I are good together onstage. But when it comes to onstage chemistry? Nothing compares to Holden and me.

“Who’s been buzzing about our chemistry?” I ask.

Nolan leans down and whispers, “Me.”

“Oh my God. You fed them that horseshit?”

“It’s not horseshit! We’re great in this show. Our chemistry is great. You just need to get out of your damn head and stop letting Missy get the better of you. If you can do that, then Holden will be eating out of the palm of your hands before the week’s over, you starlet, you.”

I feel my cheeks go hot. “Stop that,” I hiss and shove the paper back at him. He laughs, rolling it and tucking it in his back pocket while holding the door open for me.

“After you.”

Jill and Nolan might both be onto something with this whole Kate Middleton tour plan.

Our rehearsal has never been so spot on… not since Missy had been brought on as a producer, at least. Since the change in leadership, my performance had been slipping, but tonight’s rehearsal felt like the first time in ages that I was back on track. It also happens to be the first rehearsal in several days where Missy isn’t present. The first rehearsal in days when she’s not clinging to Holden and tearing apart every line of my performance. The coincidence there is not lost on me.

After rehearsal ends, Nolan and I are packing up our stuff in the front row of the theater together. He bends down, his knees brushing mine as he whispers, “So, are we going out again tonight?”

I groan and stand, hiking my bag onto my shoulder. “Please God, no. I need a night off.”

Nolan gasps, but offers me his elbow which I take, so grateful for his friendship. He’s my shield against Holden and Missy; my armor. “A night off from me?”

I smack him in the washboard stomach with the back of my hand. “You know what I mean. Can’t we just have another movie night at home?” I glance over my shoulders to make sure Holden’s not behind us as we walk down the center of the aisle. “No cameras,” I whisper. “Just us, some popcorn, and hot cocoa?”

“A movie night would be pretty nice…”

“And Jill will be home, too,” I add, watching as Nolan’s eyes flash to mine.

“I assumed she would be. With Curt.”

“Curt’s never been to our apartment,” I say as we approach the front door and push our way outside into the humid evening air. It’s true, too. To my knowledge, Jill hasn’t ever invited him home with her.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

“I would never lie to you. Especially not about this?—”

“Katherine,” Holden’s voice stops me mid-step. I turn to look at him from over my shoulder.

When the hell did he get here?

He’s standing closer to us than I expect him to be with to-go coffee cups in each hand. He forces a small smile that’s way too tight to be natural. “Can I speak with you for a moment?” he asks.

But it’s not a question. It’s a demand and we both know it.

Nolan’s face hardens. “Rehearsal is over. Union rules state?—”

“I know the union rules. And I wasn’t asking you,” Holden snaps, then shifts his gaze to me. “Katherine? Please.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Nolan says to me. “You have a contract.” As Nolan brushes my arm with the backs of his knuckles, Holden’s grip on the coffee cups tightens.

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