Page 46 of A Certain Step
For a split second, her mind had been so focused on Naomi’s family that she hadn’t even thought about the fact that she’d be performing closely with Ethan.
Willa would bekissingEthan? As Darcy, no less. It was fun, albeit torturous, to imagine what it’d be like—to think of it back when she was fully convinced it wouldn’t actually happen, but now, it was going to.
Tonight.
In a few hours.
Oh, God.
She had to wake up Sahar. Christ. She’d never beenthispanicked about a performance before. She went on as Jane easily in Boston for two days when Sahar was sick. But the story behind Jane and Bingley wasn’t nearly as sexy as Elizabeth and Darcy’s. And even if it had been, she wouldn’t have given a damn because it wasn’t Ethan she was sharing the majority of her scenes with.
Willa could scream. She wanted to. She had to be a professional, but she hadn’t had feelings for a coworker before. And this was the big, huge reasonwhy.
He probably had no idea what was going on inside of her, and he certainly wasn’t a bundle of nerves because, on stage, Ethan Everett was one of the most skilled actors she’d ever known. It was a gift to work with him. Willa knew as much, and now, she’d have the chance to be his partner. As he always did, she had to give one hundred and ten percent. She couldn’t screw this up. She couldn’t be a schoolgirl with a crush. She had to pull herself together and bring the best of her abilities onto the stage.
Willa took a deep breath and nearly bolted to Sahar’s room. “Sahar, wake up; I need your help.”
Sahar grumbled. “What time is it?”
“Too early, c’mon.”
Sahar’s eyes flung open. “What?” she whined.
“Naomi and Lea had a family emergency. I’m going on as Elizabeth,” Willa blurted.
Sahar propped herself up so quickly that Willa was concerned her head would spin. “Oh fuuuuuuuuuuuuk,” she elongated.
Willa sat on the bed. “Sahar. I can’t breathe. I’m so. I’m—Ethan,”she emphasized.
Sahar released a giant exhale. “Mate, I’m so sorry. Jesus Christ, it’s one thing to know in advance, but like this? When you feel...all of that?” she gestured a clunky circle with her hands.
“And you know I don’t have a problem with last-minute performances. Frankly, I think I killed it as you. But Sam isn’t Ethan.”
“Oh, I know you did,” Sahar agreed, blinking rapidly. “Okay, let’s go. We gotta get you to the theatre.”
“I have to shower,” she contested.
Sahar nodded. “Have you spoken to Ethan?”
“No, I ran here. Crap, my phone...” Willa didn’t even finish her sentence before she sprinted back to her room. She would have to apologize to their downstairs neighbors for the early morning disturbance her feet were causing.
She picked her phone up from her bed and saw a missed call from Ethan.
Fuck fuck fuck!she stressed to no one in particular.
“Willa Catherine Davidian, get your shit together,” she whispered aloud.
She called him back, the ringing making her heart rate blow speedily.
“Hey, Wills,” he drawled, his voice low and hoarse.
She took a soundless breath. “Hey, I’m guessing Dina called you already.”
“Yeah, she did. I’m skipping the gym today. When are you heading to the theatre?”
“I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Cool. I’ll see you there.”
