Page 44 of Serving the Couturier

“No.” The denial slipped out before I could decide what I wanted to say. Then again, considering how things were between Spencer and me, I honestly didn’t know what that answer would’ve been.

“So, you’re into women?”

It was all I could do not to roll my eyes. Of course, he’d think that the only reason I turned him down was that I was dating someone or gay. “It’s late, Timothy, and I’m tired.”

“Of course, I should have realized. This is your first time as a lead in a big show. You’re not used to this.”

Timothy’s words dripped with condescension, but I let it go. I wanted to take a shower and go to bed. Alone.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I reached for the door handle.

“Just something to think about,” he said. “The press always loves it when a pretend love story turns into a real one. It could be good for the show if the two of us spent some time together. Even a casual thing would be good publicity.”

I smiled but didn’t answer as I got out of the car. As if my life wasn’t complicated enough at the moment.

* * *

Throughout the restof the week, no one noticed the strain between Spencer and me, but it was a constant reminder of why I should never have gotten involved with a coworker. By Saturday, I was almost hoping he would return to England soon.

When Darrel called the cast together for our last preview of the week, I was more than ready to have some time off. I loved the show but needed time away, even if only for a day.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize we had a visitor backstage until I heard a flirty laugh. When I glanced over, I saw Alice hanging all over Spencer again. I turned away, hoping he hadn’t seen me looking. The last thing I wanted was for him to know it bothered me to see him with someone else.

Hell, I didn’t even want to acknowledge to myself how much it hurt.

I had to stay focused and make it through the night. With the successful previews, we might open on Broadway as soon as next week, and I didn’t want to be the reason for any delay.

“Alright, everyone,” Darrel gathered us. “Our producer wants to address us.”

I clenched my jaw and fixed my gaze on a spot above Spencer’s shoulder as he approached us. The brunette lingered behind him, but I didn’t dare make eye contact with her either, unsure if I could completely conceal my feelings towards her.

“We’ve had a fantastic week,” Spencer started. “I’ve heard people saying that our previews are the best New York has seen since a certain hit musical about one of America’s Founding Fathers.”

A buzz of excitement filled the group.

“In fact,” Spencer continued, “they’re so good that, provided tonight goes just as smoothly, we’ll be officially opening at the Shubert Theatre this coming Friday.”

The cheers were almost deafening as Mercedes hugged me tightly. She whispered in my ear, “This is all because of you. No one else could have made this happen.”

Though I wasn’t entirely convinced, I held her tighter in gratitude.

“You’ve all done an exceptional job.” Spencer raised his voice over the cheers. “And to show my appreciation and to let you all relax before the work starts again on Tuesday to prepare for opening night, I’m inviting all cast and crew to King’s Ransom after tonight’s performance. There’ll be dancing and an open bar.”

“Is he serious?” Mercedes asked. “An open bar at King’s Ransom?”

“Okay, people, I need you to focus again,” Darrel shouted. After everyone quieted down, he continued, “we still have a performance to put on, and I don’t want anyone slacking off now that we’ve had good news. Let’s finish as strong as we started and not make Mr. York regret his generosity.”

As Spencer and Alice left, I turned my attention back to the task at hand, preparing for the night’s work.

* * *

I was still riding highon my performance rush when Mercedes and I walked into King’s Ransom. It’s hard to believe, but tonight’s performance was our best yet, and I could feel that we were still right at the edge of everything we could accomplish. If we polished a bit more this week, we could have the most incredible opening night ever.

As for tonight, I planned to have a good time.

Mercedes and I made our way to the bar and placed our orders. Once we had our drinks—a strawberry-lemonade vodka for me and a French 75 for Mercedes—we checked out the dance floor where some others were already dancing. The music was at just the right volume where a person could get lost in it, but conversations were still possible.

I scanned the crowd absently, not looking for anyone in particular, and that was when I saw him.

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