Page 58 of Everything's Coming Up Rosie

Have I just walked into an impossible situation? Direct a show? Save the theatre?

I might be freaking out a little bit.

“There are nuts by the soft-serve machine,” Louie says.

“Nuts on ice cream is a bad idea,” Daisy says.

“Always nuts,” Booker says.

She pauses for a few seconds, then relents. “Fine. I’ll try anything once.”

“Anything?” Louie’s eyebrows pop up and he follows her out of the kitchen, prompting an, “Oh, for the love...” from Daisy.

And now I’m standing in the room alone with Booker. Thankfully, Booker is not a mind reader, and I am an actor.

I paint on a smile. “Thanks again for the omelet. And for, you know, saving me from the mud pit.” I avoid his gaze. “Very... heroic.”

“You’re freaking out right now, aren’t you?” His arms are crossed over his chest, and he’s still leaning against the counter, still looking at me, making me think maybe heisa mind reader.

Or maybe I’m a terrible actor.

“No,” I say, keenly aware of the potential spiral. “I’m not. It’s a lot, sure, but I’m... super great. I’m a first-time director who’s been brought in to save a beloved theatre programpracticallyby myself, and no matter what I do, myCinderellais going to have one foot in the grave.” I let out a loud sigh.

He smirks and rolls his eyes. “Theatre people are so dramatic.”

I think about the whole let’s-tell-each-other-everything deal he tried to strike with me, and I’m grateful I had the good sense not to shake on that. Because aside from everything I’m thinking about Booker Hayes, there is a lot here that I don’t want to confess out loud.

That I’m in over my head.

That they’ve put their precious theatre in the wrong hands.

That the whole idea of eating contraband omelets in the Commons with Booker, Daisy, and Louie every night for the rest of the summer is oddly comforting in a way I did not expect.

And even though I’m overwhelmed and a little freaked out, Ithink I actually want to be here. And that simply does not make sense.

***

Taylor:Rosie! Tell us more about your new job!

Maya:And I see you’ve been getting lots of messages on Love Match! Have you responded?

Marnie:We need the update on that story you were going to share.

I hesitate. I planned to tell them all about MudGate, but as my insecurity about this job mounts, I now have to fight the instinct to make it sound great here...

Wait. No. I’m not going to do that. I tap out a reply and hit Send.

Rosie:It’s great.:/ Literally drove a golf cart into the mud earlier today.

I send a photo of myself covered in mud, which Booker took while my eyes were closed and without my permission.

Marnie:Oh. My. GOSH.

Maya:What in the world??

Taylor:Only you, Ro! LOL

Rosie:It’s a long story, but I’m getting settled, and auditions are in three days. Wish me luck!

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