Page 24 of Something New

He gave her a mischievous smile, one that had her guard up instantly. Before she could step back, he grabbed her hand and pulled it to his mouth. He sucked her index finger into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the tip, licking the sugar off. She shivered at the rasp of his tongue, at the answering pull deep inside of her. When he took her middle finger in his lips and treated it the same, her knees threatened to give out beneath her and she stiffened them, standing firm when she wanted to sink into him, wrap her arms around him and forget about everything—her career, her life, everything that had mattered to her. Now, she only wanted Wyatt and this moment.

He released her last finger with a pop. “There, all clean. No napkins needed.” He stepped back, breaking the moment. “So, what are we going to do now? We only have about forty minutes before we have to be back. I don’t think we’ll find the playbill here.”

Anna swallowed hard, her heart racing at the sudden shift in the mood. She stared out into the night, into the direction of the Playhouse, trying to focus on the topic, avoiding Wyatt’s knowing smirk. After a few moments, she spoke. “Maybe we can find one at the theater. They must have them printed by now. Caroline wouldn’t have asked us to get it if it wasn’t possible, would she?”

He wiped his own hands on the napkins he had hidden while she pretended not to notice, although she scowled at him. “Well, we could always say it wasn’t possible. Maybe no one else finished their tasks either.”

“I can’t do that. Not when we’re this close. Where’s your competitive fire? Are you telling me you can just walk away?” She couldn’t believe she was hearing this from Wyatt, who possibly used to be more competitive than she was and an even worse loser.

He shrugged. “I figure there are bigger issues in the world. And, if you want to avoid Karen and the theater, well, I don’t have to keep the lamp.”

She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the parking lot. “I refuse to lose. Let’s go. And don’t think I don’t know what you did there, for the second time. Don’t manage me, Wyatt. I really hate that.”

“I know you do.”

* * *

When they pulled up outside the Playhouse, the lights were still on inside. Anna fought the urge to curse. She had hoped it was closed and locked up tight, thus ensuring she couldn’t face anyone or get the playbill. She wasn’t a coward; she was transcending the situation. Or something like that.

Wyatt turned off the ignition and quirked a brow at her. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” She opened the door and hopped out.

She opened the front doors to the beautiful, old, white brick building and stepped into the front foyer. Nothing had changed. The Playhouse was one of the most historic theaters in Texas, sponsored by several founding families of Whitby island. They designed it in the Italian style, intending it to lend an elegance and class to the theater, and added elements to ensure the image. However, years and lack of money eroded the final touches so that only the bare bones remained. Karen and the theater committee tried to maintain some fixes by adding fake plants to the planters around the foyer, which was supposed to resemble an Italian garden, with arches and a Mediterranean flair. She looked up, as she always did, admiring the cathedral ceiling and the mosaic tiles that were faded now.

Tears prickled at Anna’s eyes, burning as she took in the foyer where she had held court after so many summer productions. The theater itself was worn, old, as if its time had come and gone. The end of an era. She heaved a sigh and headed for the auditorium doors, behind which she could hear music and voices practicing for the upcoming show,Bye, Bye Birdie.

Wyatt followed quietly, after quickly walking around the foyer, probably looking for a stray playbill. Anna could have told him there wouldn’t be one to be found. If they couldn’t find it in town, then Karen had them under lock and key in her office, and there was the only way to get them. Through Karen and Anna’s past.

Anna opened the doors and was greeted by the chaos of rehearsal as it was breaking up. People were gathering their coats, calling out farewells, and coordinating rides. A couple of people were gathered on the stage, working on set designs, and others were clustered around the seats, chatting as they gathered their things to leave.

Conversation slowed and eventually died as Anna and Wyatt were noticed. “I’m sorry, but this is a closed rehearsal,” one woman called out.

“Anna? Anna Costado?” An older woman dressed in a colorful gauze skirt and a purple peasant blouse pushed through a group of teenaged girls on the stage until she stood right on the edge. “Well, I wondered if you’d come here to see me or if you were too busy on this trip.”

Karen stepped off the stage onto the stairs that had been placed in the center and held out her arms. “It’s so good to see you, baby girl.”

For the second time that evening, tears burned in Anna’s eyes at the warm welcome. She hurried down the side aisle and met Karen in the middle in a fierce hug, feeling like she had come home for the first time in years. The acceptance and warmth almost took her breath away, and she clung a little tighter to her old mentor and she thought her friend responded in kind. But maybe it was a delusion.

Finally, they broke apart, and Karen reached up and brushed a thumb across Anna’s cheek, coming away wet. “Finally, baby girl. I’ve missed you.”

Anna gave her a watery smile. “I’m sorry I haven’t been back.”

Karen waved her hand. “You’ve been busy building your career. Come, meet the cast of Bye, Bye, Birdie. One of your favorite productions, if I recall.”

“I played in it twice, once as the teenaged lead and then as the secretary lead. I loved it.” Anna wiped her eyes and held out her hand for Wyatt. It seemed natural. “You remember Wyatt?”

Karen gave him an appreciative look. “Oh yes. Wyatt, you’ve certainly grown up nicely since the last time I saw you.” She gestured to some of the girls. “Come meet our cast. I know they’d love to meet you.”

Anna took a step back, right into Wyatt’s firm body. He laid his hands on her shoulders, steadying her both physically and emotionally. She shook her head involuntarily, not ready to speak about acting to anyone, especially young girls. Wyatt stepped in smoothly.

“I’m sorry, Karen. We really don’t have time tonight. We’re on a mission for Caroline. Long story, but you know how she is.” He smiled his most charming smile, which usually worked on everyone, and Karen was no exception. “We wondered if you have a playbill for your upcoming show? I know it doesn’t make sense, but it would really help us out.” He rubbed his hand up and down Anna’s arm, soothing her.

Karen smiled. “You kids were always playing some strange game. Is this for a scavenger hunt? Caroline told me about it. I have one right here. I was beginning to think you’d never show up.”

Her words were casual, but a question was embedded in there, a wondering and a hurt that Anna might avoid her. A pang of guilt stabbed at Anna. “I’m sorry, Karen. I can come back tomorrow when we have more time.”

Karen nodded. “Perfect. I work with the kids from the high school after school to prepare for the production. I know we’d love to have your insight and talk with you about your experiences. Would three o’clock work out?”

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