Page 95 of Something Cheeky

“I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk,” he said sincerely.

He’d spread himself too thin trying to make sure Zoe and his creative team felt supported. Everyone except for Th?o. They were too close to getting what they wanted to ruin it because he couldn’t admit that he’d let her down.

Th?o unwrapped the burrito and inhaled deeply.

“Oh my God. Is this from the taco place by the Wharf?” She closed her eyes and took another deep breath before taking a huge bite.

He nodded.

“You’re right. I’ve been hovering around Zoe too much. I need to trust her to do her job,” he admitted.

Deep down he was still worried that she’d break down the same way she had in college. But she’d handled everything with finesse, even Greg.

“I’m sorry. Can you repeat that? I was chewing too loudly.”

“I need to trust her to do her job,” he repeated.

“No, the first part.”

He laughed. “You were right, Th?o.”

“Music to my ears.” She danced in her chair. “You should eat before your food gets cold.”

She pushed out the folding metal chair with her shoe and patted the seat next to her. Derek breathed out in relief. Th?o had forgiven him.

The two of them ate in a comfortable silence that was only broken by murmurs of joy about their food.

“So, you’ve been coming here every morning at eight?” he asked after they finished eating.

She nodded.

“You hate mornings.” For as long as he’d known her, she’d hadto set multiple alarms just to wake up at ten o’clock. Arriving here that early meant her waking up well before eight.

“We have to make sacrifices for things we love,” she said quietly.

He’d heard theand friendsshe omitted from her declaration. Hopefully she and Katie Mai could work things out soon.

“I’ve been a shit friend. It’s time for me to sacrifice some sleep and time with Zoe so we can make this the best musical ever.”

“Yes, please. I’m so tired of Gregzilla and his fucking tiny notebook.” Th?o groaned. “If he mispronouncesT?m Cámone more time...”

“I might have PTSD from that notebook.” Derek mimed the blond man thumbing through it.

They belly laughed. Finally they were vibing with each other again.

“So what’s the game plan, boss?” Th?o asked.

“Actually, I was thinking we should change the title of the show toThe Brocaded Slipper.”

“You better not be doing that because of Greg.” Th?o’s eyes narrowed.

“Let me explain.” He held out his hands to stay her anger. “I know this play is for us, but we need it to appeal to a wide audience.The Brocaded Slipperwill help people compare it to Cinderella, and you know people can’t resist a rebooted fairy tale.”

“True. I mean, people loveInto the Woodsand that’s all the fairy tales tossed into a wok.”

“We’re cooking the baker and his wife now?” he joked.

“You know, I like it.The Brocaded Slipperis howT?m Cámhas been titled in some English translations, so it works.”

---