Page 60 of Isabella and the Slipper

I’m serious. You can’t go to the dance, so I’ll never get to meet you unless we just do it. Rip the Band-Aid off.

What would he say if she did? If she met him at midnight in Flatwater Park, would he be disappointed? The thought almost gave her a panic attack. Maybe it was best to take Leilani’s offer and sneak out to the dance. At least then she could be with him as Five, and she wouldn’t have to see the disappointment in his eyes. If she went late enough, Elenore would be too tipsy to care.

About that.

What??

Someone’s offered to cover for me at work. I’d have to come late, but I think I can go to the dance after all.

Seriously? I’m so happy I could kiss you.

Her pulse raced as she imagined what it would be like to kiss Chase. She stared at the office wall for a second, indulging in the fantasy.

Five? Are you still there?

Oh, yeah, that was embarrassing.

Yes. I’m here.

Can I call you?

Worry that he would recognize her voice raced through her. The more time he spent with her in person, the more likely that would be. She wasn’t great at disguising her voice. Plus, she really needed to go take photos of the new art and get them up on the website. At least that’s what she told herself.

Sorry, I really should get back to work.

Okay. Chat later.

Bye.

She finished up at work, never fully letting go of the thought of Chase pulling her close and exploring her lips.

She was so dead.

Chapter 19

Chase shuffled into the kitchen, his long pajama pants almost covering his socks. His mother sat at the table drinking coffee and reading the paper, her hair in curlers.

When he entered, she smiled and put the paper down. “Good morning.”

He didn’t like the way she smiled at him. He knew what that meant. “Mmm,” he said in a noncommittal way.

“There’s a new casting call that I think would be perfect for you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Mom. I haven’t even started filming the one I got yet.”

She waved her hand. “That’s going to only take a few weekends. This one is a much bigger deal.”She patted her curlers.

He pulled a box of Corn Flakes from the cupboard and groaned. “Mom, I don’t want to do anything bigger.”

“But it’s going to be great for your career.”

The bowl clunked as he set it down on the counter a little too forcefully. He cringed. “What if I don’t want to be an actor?” he said under his breath.

His mother turned wide eyes on him. “What did you say?”

Great. Now he’d done it. Opened up the can of worms.

But he knew he had to do it sometime before he ended up stuck in an acting school he hated. He probably should tell her he was thinking of applying to UNH Manchester.

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