Page 29 of A Certain Step
She walked into Sahar’s room, where she stood over a green dress shirt paired with a denim jacket and a green knitted dress. Miles’ sole request of the night was that if they could, they should wear something green. The man hated the fact that he was born seven minutes before St. Patrick’s Day, so he always took up the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on it. And since it fell on a Sunday this year, it was also convenient for their schedules.
Weighing Sahar’s two options, Willa bit down on her bottom lip. “What bottoms are you thinking?”
“If I go with the shirt, then black jeans. If the knitted dress, then pantyhose.”
“Go with the dress. I love the concept of the top, but the denim jacket would ruin it. And knowing you, you’d get cold, so you need it. Are these the only green things you have?”
“Yeah,” Sahar confirmed.
“You’re welcome to my wardrobe, but that dress is lovely.”
Sahar approved. “Knitted dress it is, then. Are you wearing heels?”
“The black, heeled ankle boots,” Willa specified.
Sahar pointed to the black Dr. Martens next to her bed. “I think I’m going to stick to my Docs. Would that look weird?”
Willa shook her head. “Not at all. Pair it with some jewelry, and you’re set.”
“Aces. Thanks, boo. You still wearing the skirt?”
Willa nodded. “Yeah, I haven’t worn it a while, and I’m in a tartan mood,” she answered, referring to a green and blue mini skirt she was going to pair with a simple black long-sleeve.
“Sometimes I’m envious that you run so warm, but other times, I know I’m the one who’s better off,” Sahar replied.
Willa chuckled at the statement. It was true. She’d so much rather run cold than hot.
She sauntered back to her bedroom, stopping at the record player in their living room to switch the A-side vinyl that had come to a halt. Tonight’s album was David Bowie’sLegacy,and Willa was in particularly good spirits.
The last month had been a dream, with every preview show going better than the one before, and one week ago,Midnights at Pemberleyhad its official premiere and opening.
With busy schedules keeping them occupied and too tired to function at times, Willa managed to leave her thoughts and feelings about Ethan mostly at bay. Except during Sunday nights when they tried to sneak beyond the wall she’d built, badgering her when they’d catch up on shows together, sitting a little too close for comfort on his sofa. Ethan in his tortoise shell-colored glasses that somehow and unsurprisingly made him far too attractive for his own good.
It was, however, easier these days than those initial moments after her return from London. She could push the emotions toward a barricade and divert herself with other mind-numbing thoughts until her brain decided it was tired of fighting with her.
Tonight was the first night they’d skip their Sunday night routine for Miles’ party, which would make for another excellent distraction. Anecessarydistraction.
Willa stood over the clothes splayed across her bed and changed into them one by one. She was still trying to decide whether to wear her leather jacket. It’d complement the skirt and top with her boots, but the thought of wearing it indoors was already making her sweat. She put it on, checked the mirror, then took it off and settled on draping it across her shoulders. At least this way, she wouldn’t suffocate, and the outfit would still feel finished. She completed the final look with a chained necklace set that she couldn’t wear during the production and switched out of her standard lobe studs for hoop earrings.
Willa ambled toward the door and waited there. “Are you done?” she called out to Sahar.
“Coming!”
“Is the prick meeting us there?” she asked when Sahar came closer.
“Miles invited him to be polite, but who knows if he’ll actually show up.”
Willa tried desperately not to make a face, nodding with as much nonchalance as she could. She’d stopped talking to Sahar about her awful boyfriend since she decided to give him another chance. It was no longer Willa’s place to fight for someone else’s relationship. Plus, Sahar knew where she stood on the matter.
Miles had reservedspots for the majority of the cast who had RSVPd at an underground speakeasy decorated with red and gold trappings, quite similar to some of the set designs ofMidnights at Pemberley.It felt like being back at work, even when they weren’t, but she wouldn’t want to escape it by any means.
Ethan walked to where she sat, placing two cocktails in teacups before her. The aesthetics of this place reminded her of home a bit, like the posh corridors of London marrying with the rugged edges of what their version of Austen presented. It was effortless to appreciate, making her feel a little lighter, a bit more free.
He sat beside her and leaned forward, inching closer to Willa. “Miles just introduced me to Clyde. He’s the guy from the bar, right?” he asked, his eyes fixed on the pair.
She nodded excitedly. “Yes, aren’t they adorable together?”
“Yeah,” he agreed, taking a sip of his drink. “They look alike. You know how people start to look alike when they’ve spent a lot of time together? They already have that.”
