Fourteen
ZOE
I’m on such a high from our opening night success that I don’t immediately see Connor when he arrives at the party. I wave to Rachel and Anvil and hurry toward them. Trick and a beautiful blond are with them, which confuses me. Where’s his wife?
My steps falter when I realize that C’s standing with Trick and the girl. Is she—C’s date? That he brought tomyparty? My stomach drops, and my mouth goes dry. I pause halfway to them. If she’s with him, I don’t want to meet her.
I’m rescued by an arm around my waist that tugs me back into a group of toasting cast members. I turn away from C Crue, feeling like I’ve been stabbed in the heart. I’m not part of them anymore. I have new friends and a new life in New York though. I’m going to be a success in all the ways that count. That’s what matters, I tell myself for the hundredth time.
I glance over my shoulder. Several cast members and some of our production team have gone over to Rachel, separating her from the C Crue group. This is my chance. I move to the wall, soI can approach her from the side. When I’m close, I reach for her and pull her to me for a hug.
“We did it!” I exclaim in a whisper in her ear.
“We did,” she says with a soft laugh. “You were incredible. A standing ovation, Zo! I’m so proud of you.”
“It was your music. Just unbelievable.” Tears fill my eyes, and I tip my head back so they’ll drip out of the sides and not mess up my makeup. “I can’t believe this night,” I murmur. “I’m so excited. Did you hear that I got a note and flowers left at the stage door from someone who saw me in the very first production I danced in! Off broadway when I was eighteen, remember? I can’t believe anyone else remembers. I’m just…soexcited, Rach.”
“Let’s have a G&T to celebrate.”
My arms tighten around her. New friends are great, but there are no friends like the old ones, who loved you first, before any real success.
We migrate to the bar with me holding tight to her hand like she’s a sister that I don’t want to lose in a crowd. When I turn, I find C’s moved to stand with the director, and they’re talking. My eyes return to Anvil and Trick and the girl. She looks familiar. She’s wearing a body-hugging pink and bronze dress with a faux fur collar. It’s sweet and sexy, very much what Trick goes for. Then she laughs and winks, and my body jerks in recognition.
“Who is that with Trick? Is that his little sister Ash? I didn’t even recognize her.”
“Yes, she came to babysit. Ash had Irina during the show, but afterward Laurelyn was tired, so now she’s at the hotel with Irina and the bodyguard. Since Ash is free from babysitting duty, she begged Trick to let her come to the party.”
“Uh-huh, and she happened to bring a party dress from Boston just in case?” I ask, looking her over again.
Her face is exquisite, which is very much a Patrick family trait. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize that face immediately. She’s got hardly any curves, though. Average-sized breasts, very slim. Not exactly C’s type if I’m anything to go by.
Trick says something to her and she laughs, then she says something in return and he tips his head back and laughs too. I stiffen and look around. A lot of heads have turned to watch them.
A hollow place inside me widens. Is she enough to fill my place? Trick’s sisters are charismatic and outgoing. C definitely likes that.
“Hey.”
I turn and find C standing in front of me. I’m flooded with relief and happiness that he’s sought me out. He’s gorgeous in his black suit, and he’s wearing a vibrant purple silk tie I bought him as a present. C has such great style.
Without thinking, I step forward, putting my palm against his chest as I kiss his cheek. The weight of his hand on my low back is so familiar. For a moment, I’m his all over again. My heart thuds in my chest as I stare into his eyes.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Congratulations.”
“Hmm?”
“Great show. You were fantastic.”
I lick my lips and nod. “Thank you. Everyone worked really hard. And I had the best time performing it.” There’s a red mark on his face from my lipstick. I use my thumb to rub it away. “Kiss print. At least it’s not your collar,” I say with a small smile. My fingers drag a path through his stubble, which I miss more than life.
The corner of his mouth curves up. “Your kiss print almost became a C Crue signature mark.” His hand presses against me, sliding a little lower so his pinky grazes my ass. “So many of thebest nights ended with me finding a red or hot pink smudge on my clothes.”
I smile. “It was expensive when the dry cleaners couldn’t get the stain out, but it was a good excuse for you to put me in certain positions that?—”
“Zo-zo, who’s this?”
My face flushes, and I bite off the rest of the sexy things I was about to say.
