Page 106 of A Certain Step
She took Ethan’s hand as the nominations were announced for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
“And the Tony Award goes to,” Noah Gemmell proclaimed, opening the envelope. “Ethan Everett!”
Willa was sure that Ethan was in shock because he didn’t move. He simply stared. It dawned on him slowly, then all at once, when she squeezed his hand. The people around them had already begun clapping. The auditorium roared with their ovation. He kissed her, rose to his feet, and walked over to the stage.
He thanked Noah and Iris Ariti as he took the plaque presented to him.
She caught him shaking his head lovingly before he reached into his pocket and took out the folded piece of paper. She was aware that fashion critics often looked down on men for wearing all-black suits—it annoyed her, too, at times—but damn, he was too hot in his for her to care.
“Thank you to the Broadway League and American Theatre Wing for this immense honor. My fellow nominees, it was meaningful for me just to be featured alongside each of you.”
Pausing, he smiled and spoke freely. “Mom, Dad, Joana, and Nick, I’m so sorry I told you not to come because I didn’t think there’d be a point, but I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without the love and support you’ve all shown me. I once promised my late Grandfather Callum that if I ever won one of these, I’d have to tell the world that he was always right about everything.”
His voice broke a little. He caught himself with a breath. “He was right.”
“Jeffrey and Greta Henderson, you two brought the world so much joy and light with this production—thank you for choosing me and letting me be your Darcy. It was a big risk to adapt something as beloved as Jane Austen’s work like this, but allowing it to be unapologetically happy has made for an unforgettable experience. There’s nowhere on this earth that’s more open, inclusive, and beautiful than our stages, and I’m so privileged to have this job. It’s never something I take for granted. Betty Reyes, my manager who’s been with me from the start of my career, thank you for constantly rooting for me. Our entireMidnightscast and crew—this show has fundamentally changed me. It’s made me a better person and a better performer, and it’s brought more light into my life than I ever thought possible. You’re some of the greatest people, and I’m constantly in awe of each of you.”
And then his gaze magnetized with hers, his smile a breathtaking spectacle of its own. “Finally—Willa, my love—thank you for believing in me as fervently as you do. You’re the most extraordinary gift in my life.”
Her tears fell openly as she caught his eyes glistening while he walked backstage. When the world tested them, when life got too cruel, she’d take moments like this with her everywhere.
She shared everything from the show’s official account, taking an additional step in trying by adding “bursting with unparalleled joy and pride. Congrats, my love! ??
35
ETHAN
Ethan stood outside Willa’s apartment, leaning against the passenger side of his black Lexus like some eighties movie main character, waiting to whisk the heroine away. He couldn’t wait to see her—to show her what was waiting for them at his family’s cabin, enthusiastically proud of himself for not blurting it out accidentally.
They both had last minute things they needed to get done before taking a few days off work, so Willa hadn’t stayed with him the night before. She’d called him, wanting to say happy birthday at midnight, like he’d done when they were friends. Devotedly sweet wishes had left her lips and settled in his heart.
She radiated when she stepped out, and he swore his heart expanded three sizes from eagerness. He gawked at her, still in a state of wild incredulity that she was his. Her hair was down with loose waves, and she wore a stunning semi-fitted emerald floral dress that stopped at the middle of her calves with white sneakers. She had a couple of gold necklaces stacked together and a few rings, too.
She drew closer and leaped into his arms with such delicious force that his heart thrummed against his chest. “Happy Birthday!” She squealed into his embrace.
Holding on firmly, he clutched her close. “Thank you, beautiful.”
When he released her, Willa kissed him like tomorrow would never come. It was formidable and deep, as if she were intentionally carving all her emotions into his bones.
“You look so gorgeous,” he groaned into her neck, breathing in the intoxicating scent of her perfume, kissing her there, once, twice.
A giggle soared from her throat, and his legs threatened to give out. He took her weekender bag and opened the passenger door for her, delighting in the small curtsy she did, reading him like an open book splayed out in front of her. She must’ve spotted the drinks in his console because she tipped her head with an eye roll. “You got us coffee? It’syourbirthday, remember?”
“And you’re already the best gift, so…” he proclaimed.
She curved her lips inward.
He knew exactly what she was thinking.
“Scale of one to ten, how embarrassingly cheesy was that?” he asked.
She smiled wistfully, scrunching her nose in the process. “If you rehearsed it, it shoots up to a hundred. If it somehow just came to you, I’ll be generous and say five.”
“Dammit,” he uttered, closing the door lovingly. He popped the trunk, dropped her bag alongside his, and hurried to the driver’s seat.
“You rehearsed it, didn’t you?” she asked as he sat down.
“I didn’trehearseit, no, but Ithoughtabout it.”
