Page 37 of A Certain Step
“Unfortunately, in that regard, only one other person can give you the answer you’re looking for.”
Willa concurred.
“How has the show been going?”
She gleamed at the question. Talking aboutMidnights at Pemberleyalways brought elation to the forefront. “Every night has been magical so far,grueling and so very exhausting, but it’s worth every minute. I wouldn’t change any of it.”
Marie smiled proudly. “I’m so happy to hear that, Willa. I’m hoping I can see it one of these days. My husband and I are both fans of musicals.”
“I love hearing that. The critical reception has been great, so I’m sure you’d enjoy it.”
“Is there anything else you’d like to address before we end our session today?”
Willa considered for a moment but shook her head. “I think I’m okay for now. It does feel a bit liberating to say those words out loud to someone else.”
“That is why I’m here,” Marie affirmed. “I’ll see you in two weeks?”
Willa waved her right hand. “Yup. Thank you for everything, Marie. Really.”
When the video call ended, Willa leaned back against the chair and took a deep breath. She reached for her tea, but it’d gone cold. She took a small sip, letting another lone tear fall at the aches and consolations clashing in her chest.
She was going to see Ethan in a few hours and be with him for a little while, just the two of them. And no matter her feelings, with Ethan, even when the time they spent together was short, it was always comfortable.
Being around him was easy—calming, even when she gazed into his deep blue eyes and thought of kissing him.
12
ETHAN
Willa was wearing an oversized, dark-heather MuppetsT-shirt that covered her like a mini-dress and a pair of black cycling shorts. It was the exact outfit she’d worn during their first rehearsal.
Ethan couldn’t keep his eyes off her then. He failed even more miserably today.
Something about it was hotter now—more intimate and familiar. He watched as she grazed her pearly-white painted fingernails against the marble counter, waiting for the kernels to finish popping in the popcorn machine. He prized these quiet moments with her.
He didn’t care how dramatic he’d sound when admitting that the thought of not having time alone with her made him feel like he couldn’t properly recharge.
Unwinding with Willa was Ethan’s favorite place to be outside of the stage.
He knew he was staring at her, thankful she was leaning against the counter, eyes fixed on their impending snack, her mind evidently elsewhere.
Part of him knew he should stop, but he couldn’t.
Ethan could gape like this for hours, take her in like she was a novel discovery every time. The physical and the emotional. The way she had smiled when he walked in. The gorgeous curve of her ass, the exposed part of her neck showing because of the high, messy bun holding her long hair together. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, hold her tight, and scatter kisses all over her pretty face.
He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked and confess what that outfit did to him.
He’d never do anything Willa didn’t want him to, but he couldn’t suppress his imagination from running wild.
The machine came to a halt. She dumped the finished product into a large Ziplock bag, sprinkled Old Bay seasoning and a little pepper on top, then shook the entire thing. She tossed everything in an orange bowl and finally looked over at him.
“What do you want to drink?” she asked.
“Whatever you’re having,” he answered.
She sighed softly. “But I’m not drinking alcohol; my uterus is on a mission to murder me. So, I took meds.”
“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?” He asked without a second thought.
