Luke gave him a side glance.He was smiling.“You really have done your research.”
“I’m sure you have, too,” he replied with good nature.
“Guilty.But not just on you.I’ve done a deep dive into all aspects of the show, cast and creatives.”
“Will all of that go into your articles?”
“Oh God, no.It’s just how my brain works.”He tapped his forehead.“I need to get it all locked in up here before I can make progress.I’m sure you’re the same when you play a character.I can’t get started until I know it all inside out.”
When they arrived at the coffee shop, the sun reflected off the still waters of the river.It was almost a mirror for the change in Hudson’s mood, and how much his attitude had altered since yesterday.They placed their orders and waited at the end of the counter for them to be fixed.
Luke wore dark trousers and a white open-necked shirt.The colour contrasted perfectly with his light brown skin tone.With the top two buttons undone, Hudson stole a peek at the hair on his impressive chest.He imagined following the trail of hair lower, seeing where it would lead.
“How are you finding our city?”Luke asked.
“I haven’t had a lot of free time to explore it yet.But I like what I’ve seen so far.”
“You’ve come at the best time, in summer.The winters are cold and bleak, but thankfully we have plenty to keep us busy.For a small city, there’s a lot to do.”
“Have you lived here for long?”
His brow furrowed in thought.“Just over eight years.I grew up not far from here in Newcastle, and went to uni in Nottingham.I got my first job in Manchester, then moved to a newspaper in Leeds, before finally making it to Blyham.When I was young, I found it quite dull compared to those bigger cities, but I love it now.Wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
Hudson dragged his gaze away from Luke to look out of the window.“I can see why.”
“If you’d like a guide to show you around…”
Now their eyes were locked on each other again.Hudson was certain he was not misreading the signals.There was something between them.“I’d like that,” he said.“A lot.”
“How about we start on familiar ground?There’s a great duo performing at The Blue Pearl tonight.I’m planning to check them out, if you’d like to join me?They play kind of electropop, if you’re into that kind of thing.I saw them earlier in the year and they were brilliant.”
His accent was so cute.Hudson adored the way he said brilliant, his voice rising on the second half of the word.“I’d love to.How about we go early and get a bite to eat first?”
“Even better.”
Hudson had loose plans to go out with Julian at the end of the day, but doubted his co-star would object, given how close he seemed to be getting to leading lady Manuella.
The drinks arrived.Hudson waited while Luke emptied a sachet of brown sugar into his takeaway cup and gave it a good stir.He had strong hands with long fingers.His forearms and the backs of his hands were coated in fine black hairs.
Once again, Hudson found himself fantasising about the rest of Luke’s body.I bet he’s got a really pretty, hairy ass.
If the budding chemistry between them continued to develop, maybe he would find out.There was no hurry.Hudson knew better than to rush it.After all, he’d only called a truce with Luke about twenty minutes ago.
The good-natured chat continued on the walk back up to the rehearsal room.Luke asked gentle questions about Hudson’s feelings for the play so far and what had drawn him to the character.
“If I’m honest, I just love working on stage these days.Far more than all those low-budget movies I get offered.The week before last, I flew to Romania to shoot for three days on a movie that most likely won’t ever get released, at least not widely.It might get dumped on a streaming service someday.The seven weeks I’ve committed toDarkest Blueare so much more satisfying than that.”
“Surely it’s going to be a lot longer than seven weeks.If the play goes to London, it could be a good six months or more.”
“If it happens.I don’t take anything for granted.Right now, I’ve got a guaranteed contract for the Blyham run.Nothing more certain than that.”
“I think it will do well,” Luke said.“The script is incredible.The cast is perfect, and the tickets are already selling well.”
“None of that counts for anything without great word of mouth.If the public don’t love the show, we’ll be going nowhere.”
When they arrived back upstairs, Manuella and Steve had at last turned up, though the beautiful Spanish actress was engrossed in her phone.Steve Dillard was showing off to the production assistants.
Hudson had yet to make up his mind about his young co-star.Steve had dark, sexy good looks, but he was also ambitious and very vain.He’d had a breakthrough role the year before in a Netflix drama show and seemed to think he was real hot shit because of it.He’d already been brutal in his opinion that he didn’t think he should have a less prominent position on theDarkest Blueposter to an “American has-been”.
