Page 81 of The Black Flamingo

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in the play.”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s just acting—

he’s still got a girlfriend, you know?”

I don’t appreciate her

saying any of this when

I’mthisexcited for a kiss.

In rehearsal, we play out the massage

but agree to save the kiss

for the real performance.

I think of nothing else for weeks.

In a way, it’s more pressure

to have this big buildup to the day.

After a rehearsal, Faith and Destiny come over.

“Michael, can we have a word with you,

please?” Faith says. Destiny looks serious.

Ben and Rowan are leaving. Rowan

turns back and waits by the door.

Faith notices me smiling at Rowan

over her shoulder and says sternly, “In private.”

“Sorryyy!” Rowan says.

“What’s this about?” I say, annoyed I can’t

leave with Rowan, and ready

for an argument about the roles I assigned

them in the cast.

“Destiny and I want to say sorry

for how mean we were before.”

I can’t believe they are apologizing.

Am I imagining it?

Destiny speaks. “Can you forgive us?”

“What exactly are you sorry for?” I ask.

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