Page 116 of Something Cheeky

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. Everything about the night she broke up with him made sense now. He had been trying to protect her and save the show.

“I was scared to lose everything I’ve worked for.” Derek met her eyes and caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch. “I thought I could fix things without taking you down with me.”

“You idiot,” she said affectionately. “We’re in this together. All of us.”

Everyone working on the production murmured in agreement.

“You were under so much stress that I didn’t want to make it worse. You hired your boutique staff to help with the costumes. I didn’t want to let you down.”

“No, I let you down by assuming you didn’t care about the show the same way I did,” said Zoe. “I’m sorry, Derek.”

Her stomach swirled with anxiety and regret. She shouldn’t have given him an ultimatum when all he’d tried to do was to keepThe Brocaded Slipperfrom Greg’s grubby hands.

“I should’ve said something sooner. I tried to save the musical by myself but instead I lost the people I love most, especially you.” Derek’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

“You love me?” Zoe whispered. “Like more than best friends?”

“Now who’s being an idiot?” Derek chuckled. “I’ve been in agony since you walked out that night. How shall I regain my heart that you’ve won from me?”

“Stop misquoting Sondheim,” Th?o called out. “Just tell her, dummy.”

Zoe laughed. How could she have forgotten they were surrounded by friendsandstrangers.

“I love you, Zoe,” Derek declared. “I know I have to work on our communication skills, but will you have me back?”

“You’ve changed. You’re daring. You’re different at a protest,” Zoe sang shyly with her own version of “It Takes Two” fromInto the Woods.

“Seriously?” Th?o said loudly behind them. Everyone laughed.

“I love you, too, Derek.” She put her arm around his waist. “I don’t want to be apart from you anymore.”

“I’m going to kiss you in front of all these people,” Derek whispered.

Zoe wrapped her arms around his neck and their lips reunited. Electricity buzzed through her body as he kissed away all the harsh words between them.

The crowd cheered and applauded. She laughed into his mouth before she pulled away.

“To be continued at my place,” she whispered in his ear. It was more than an invitation. It was a promise.

Derek grinned and nodded.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” cried out Greg. “Get your disgusting public display of affection away from my theater!”

Before either of them could respond, a Latino man in his fifties stepped onto the platform. He was wearing a navy suit and carried a very somber expression.

“Your theater?” A Hispanic man stepped onto the platform. “I’m Moises Perez, president of the Prestige’s board and have something to say about that. May I?”

The man gestured at the microphone. Derek eagerly handed it over and raised his hand up to silence the crowd.

“My fellow board members and I conducted an emergencymeeting mere moments ago.” The man cleared his throat. “Effective immediately, Gregory Powers is no longer employed by Prestige Repertory.”

The crowd broke out in applause and cheers.

“How dare you! You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” Greg yelled.

“I look forward to it,” replied the board president.

Greg opened his mouth but was at a loss for words. A first since Zoe had met him.

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