Page 92 of The Ruse

“She did a good job, didn’t she?” Nash agreed, looking at the stage again. “But you’re already so good with only two weeks of rehearsals. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“Yeah?” I asked.

He nodded. “Of course. Plus, that actress has probably played that part hundreds of nights in a row. It’s no wonder that she’s so good at it.”

A few people walked in front of us, and Nash checked the time on his expensive watch. “It’s getting late,” he said. “I’m going to tell Vaughn that we’re ready for him to pick us up.”

Vaughn was the Hastings’ family driver who had driven us here in the expensive SUV.

I’d always thought it would be weird to have someone drive you around places, listening in on all of the private conversations. But the SUV had a partition between the front and back seats, so the ride here had actually been really nice. It felt like it was just the two of us.

Did I dare hope that the back of the Escalade might give us enough privacy to finally have our first kiss?

You bet I’m hoping for one after such a magical night.

Nash texted Vaughn, and then after we both stood, he offered to help me with my coat.

As he held my white coat out for me, we shared a long look at each other that made my stomach muscles flutter. He helped me slip my arms into the sleeves, and then he pulled his overcoat on. He held out his hand, which I took, and led me out of the theater.

The black Escalade was waiting for us out front, and Nash helped me up into the vehicle.

The lights of the city reflected on the dark windows as we drove through the busy streets.

“I’m really glad we got to do this,” Nash said about a half-hour into our drive back to Eden Falls. “I’ve always wanted to do a Broadway date with someone, but it never felt right until you.”

“Yeah?” I asked, flattered that he’d picked me for something so special.

He nodded. “I’m sure it’s pretty obvious…” He reached over to take my hand in his. “But I really like you, Elyse.”

“I like you too, Nash,” I said, looking at the way he was drawing a swirly pattern on the palm of my hand.

“You really do?” His blue eyes searched mine in the dark vehicle.

I nodded, meeting his gaze. “I do.”

And with my confirmation, he got the biggest smile on his face. “Well, isn’t that just perfect?”

“I think so,” I said. And the way his smile lit up his whole face in that moment made me feel so light and giddy.

“Well then….” He licked his lips as he looked down at our hands again. “If I like you, and you like me, I was wondering if you’d be up to trying something out.”

“Yeah?” My chest felt tight with anticipation as I wondered what he was about to suggest.

He pursed his lips. “You see, I’ve been paying close attention to our rehearsal schedule and noticed that we’re supposed to work on the ‘Point of No Return’ scene next week, as well as the ‘Final Lair’ where Christine and the Phantom are supposed to kiss and—” He rubbed the back of his neck like he was nervous again. “—I guess I was just thinking that I’d rather not have our first kiss be in front of everyone.”

“Uh huh…” I nodded, my pulse throbbing in my neck as I waited for him to say what I thought he was going to say.

“And I guess I was wondering if it would be okay if I kissed you right now?”

“Oh,” I said, somewhat caught off guard by how it felt to hear him say those words.

I mean, I’d guessed that was what he was planning to say, but it just felt a little different than I’d expected to have him actually ask to kiss me.

But that was just me being weird and awkward myself. Before too many seconds could pass, I said, “O-of course. I-I’d really like that.”

Okay, that sounded awkward, too. But as long as this led to me kissing Nash, it would be worth fumbling our way through.

“Okay, cool.” Nash sat up a little straighter. “I guess we should…” He leaned closer. And when I realized that we were doing this likeright now, I leaned closer as well. After a little nose bumping and head bobbing where we tried to get the angle right, we finally kissed.

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