Page 27 of Dramatic AF
“I always was.”
Epilogue
~ Trick ~
Two years later…
Seated across the table on the patio of our favorite bistro, Jayden scrolled through his phone between bites of omelet. He looked happy, relaxed, and I didn’t even have to remind him to eat this time.
It didn’t seem real that it had been almost two years to the date since we had sat on this same patio before opening night, nervous and still a little unsure. Since then, it had become something of a tradition.
Breakfast at the bistro. Some terrible movie at home on the couch. A mad scramble to make it to the theater on time because my mate had procrastinated until the last possible second.
And absolutely zero ex-boyfriend drama.
“Everyone online seems really excited about the new play,” he said, turning his screen off and setting his phone on top of the table beside his plate.
“I think they’re more excited about you than the play.”
He’d already had a fairly large following of dedicated fans, but after his last starring role, his popularity had exploded. His social media accounts had gained millions of subscribers, almost overnight, and we couldn’t even walk down the street without someone recognizing him.
Apparently, that kind of fame wasn’t exactly common among stage actors, but it didn’t surprise me. Jayden owned any room he walked into by doing nothing more than breathing, and the stage was no different.
“That’s not fair,” he chuckled. “There are some pretty big names headlining alongside me.”
I smiled indulgently and dipped my head, but apart from what he told me, I wouldn’t actually know. Sure, I still popped into the theater sometimes to bring him bubble tea or late-night snacks, but with no threat looming in the shadows, I had taken on more of a background role.
Supportive mate instead of hired bodyguard.
“Are you finished?”
His lips tipped into a frown, and he slouched back in his seat with a cute pout. “Rude. I’m just saying that I’m not the only reason people are excited for the play.”
It took me a moment to work out where the wires had gotten crossed, but when I did, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I meant with breakfast, Jay.”
Clearly, pre-curtain jitters had started to set in. They had come a little earlier than usual, but with this being the biggest, most anticipated production of his career—so far—I supposed that was to be expected.
“Oh. Sorry.” His entire face scrunched, and an adorable pink hue swept across his cheeks. “Yeah, I’m finished.”
We settled the check, then I hung around on the fringes while Jayden posed for selfies and signed autographs for half the bistro staff. I didn’t mind. It came with the territory, and besides, I loved seeing Jayden in his element.
While a phenomenal actor, his interaction with people was where he truly shined. He always made time for his fans, even if that meant giving up some of his own. Mostly, however, I admired his uncanny ability to make every person walk away feeling like they mattered.
Even better, he never had to fake it. He didn’t pretend for the camera. The face he presented to the rest of the world was the same one I woke up to every morning.
He joined me on the sidewalk after the crowd had dispersed, his smile pure radiance. “Can we stop for coffee?”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Oh, come on,” he whined. “Just a small one?”
The caffeine wouldn’t help his jitters, but then again, a small latte probably wouldn’t hurt either. And if it did push him over the edge, I could think of a perfect outlet for the excess energy.
“Okay, we can stop for coffee.”
Taking my hand, he linked our fingers together, a bounce in his step as we strolled along the path to the cafe at the corner. The place bustled with activity, the area around the register filled with patrons in smart suits and phones permanently affixed to their ears.
“When the hell did he start working here?” Jayden blurted, his eyes narrowed and his jaw set at a hard angle.
