Page 108 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
He twists around and smiles at me. “Katie.”
Taking his hands, I pull him out of the chair and wrap my arms around him. “Thanks for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
“You’rebeautiful.”
“Youare,” I say, tangling my hands in his. “I was so nervous, but your gift chased it away. Thanks so much for being in my life.” I stand on my tippy-toes and close my mouth over his. A few of the guys whoop, but I don’t pay attention to them. All that matters is showing this amazing guy how much he means to me. He’s changed my life, made me a better person.
A little voice in the back of my head reminds me I’m probably ruining my makeup, but who cares about that right now?
“I love you,” I whisper.
His eyes search mine. Then he presses a sweet kiss on my lips. “I love you, Katie.”
“Places!” Miss Diaz calls. “Places! Katie, what are you doing here?”
I quickly remove myself from Eric and slip out of the room. I hurry back to the girls’ room and touch up my makeup. Then…then I get ready for one of the biggest moments of my life.
***
“Bravo!” Phoenix cheers as she and Ethan pile into the girls’ dressing room, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “Or is it brava?”
Most of the other kids have already left. I’ve been sitting at the table for who knows how long, reliving the last two hours over and over. Because tonight was one of the best nights of my life.
I met my dad backstage, and he couldn’t stop hugging me. I know this is the start of a new relationship between us.
“You, Eric, and the rest of the cast and crew were fire!” Phoenix says as she throws her arms around me. “Your best performance yet.”
“You killed it out there,” Ethan says with a smile. “Both of you. Where’s my brother, anyway?”
“Someone call for me?” Eric says as he steps into the room.
“Eric!” Phoenix throws her arms around him, too. “You and Katie were magic out there. Spellbinding. You had so much chemistry and such a deep connection, it’s like you weren’t even acting.” She winks.
Eric and I smile at each other.
“As excited and high as I feel right now, I’m kind of glad it’s over. But sad, too.” Eric’s eyebrows wrinkle. “I don’t know, I feel a lot of mixed emotions.”
“That’s normal,” I assure him as I get up from my chair. “You’re happy it’s over because of all the stress, but you’re sad, too. It’s bittersweet.”
“Well, this definitely calls for a celebration,” Phoenix says. “Who’s up for some pizza?”
“Pizza,” I breathe. “That sounds perfect.”
“I’m starving,” Eric says with a chuckle. “I couldn’t get anything down before the performance.”
I slide my hands into his as we follow Phoenix and Ethan out of the dressing room. Some of my castmates and crew are still out there, and we congratulate each other on a good job.
“I had the most amazing time with you,” Eric says as he squeezes my hand. “Too bad we won’t be able to do it again.”
“It’s okay. You focus on the band. Speaking of which, do we have practice tomorrow night?”
“We can take the night off,” he says as he gets into his car, with me in the passenger seat. Ethan and Phoenix are cuddled in each other’s arms in the back. “Although…we may have a gig coming up.”
Every part of me brightens. “Really?”
He nods, a large smiling breaking out on his face. “I’m so glad the fans haven’t abandoned us. They still believe in us.”
“Because you guys are amazing,” Phoenix says.
