Kirk almost looked relieved not to be in the camera’s lens for a few moments. Without waiting to be asked, Peeter and Katherine bounded up on either side of me and started posing. The photographs we took ranged from the deranged to the crazy, but they all fit our characters perfectly. I stood there and took pictures with a ton of people.
Kirk got himself a drink and found a high-top table nearby where he could watch the comings and goings of people. Johnny and Amani had their pictures taken with me. I then took photos with my parents, then pictures with my sisters. Then, the whole family got a group photo. I thought my fake smile wouldn’t hold up long enough to get through them all.
When I was done taking photos, I turned and found the entire Saunders clan had surrounded Kirk at the table.
“This must be the young man you were telling us about,” Mom said as I joined the group.
It took me a second to realize what she was talking about.Oh geez, I totally forgot that I’d hinted I had a man at lunch. I played it off smoothly and nodded before saying, “Kirk, I guess you’ve already met my parents and sisters.”
“Yes, we were getting to know each other. They were telling me stories about you.”
“Well, I hope they only told you about the good things,” I joked.
Kirk shot one of his amazing smiles and nodded.
“Wow, it’s the entire Saunders family,” Asher said, suddenly coming up next to me.
“Well, if it isn’t Asher Alexander…the heartbreaker,” my mother said.
“Ouch,” Asher said. “I can’t say I don’t deserve that.”
“You deserve that and a lot more,” Kimber said plainly, looking down her nose at Asher.
“Well, it was good to see you all,” Asher lied before turning around and walking in a different direction.
“Well, that was fun,” Kimber said when Asher was out of earshot.
“Wasn’t it, though?” my mom asked. “I’ve wanted to give that boy a piece of my mind for years.”
“Mother,” I said the word, drawing it out. “Believe it or not, Asher and I are in agood-ishplace right now. I don’t think we’ll ever be friends, but we’ve carved out a good working relationship.“ I looked from side to side before adding, “But it was fun watching him squirm…if only for a moment.”
“It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who doesn’t like that guy,” Kirk said, giving my mother a conspiratorial wink.
“Welcome to the team,” my mother replied with her own wink.
There was suddenly a clinking of metal on crystal flute. I turned my head to find Rebekka Eldridge standing in the middle of the room.
“Thank you all for your attention. I know I already said everything I need to say earlier today, but I want to reiterate how proud I am of this company. I hope you all enjoy yourself this evening. But not too much…we have another show tomorrow!” There were a handful of laughs and polite applause. “Now, I know you are all wondering how the review roundup looks. Let’s find out.” Out of nowhere, Aarya was next to Eldridge with a stack of papers. Eldridge took a second and looked through the pile. She made a couple oftsk-ing sounds.
“You’re killing us,” Peeter yelled. Nervous laughter filled the restaurant.
“Well…I guess I won’t prolong the suspense for too long,” Eldridge said, looking up from the stack. From the look on her face, I didn’t think it would be good news. Admittedly, with all the Botox floating around in the woman’s face, it wasn’t exactly easy to figure out what her emotions were. “We’re a bona fide hit.”
The room erupted into applause. I hugged Kirk with abandon and planted another kiss on his lips without worrying about my makeup.
Eldridge spent the next few minutes reading reviews fromThe Times,The Post,Variety,and a whole slew of other major publications. All the articles were absolutely glowing. Several of them referred to me and the eleven o’clock number. Kirk squeezed my hand every time my name was said in a review.
Once Rebekka finished reading the stellar reviews, we partied with abandon. The champagne was broken out, and we toasted the creative team, the cast, our family and friends, and the media for giving us a chance.
“Before I sit down,” Rebekka finally said. “I want to toast the man who is not with us tonight, my dearly departed husband, Bernie. For those of you who don’t know, The Maurer Theatre andThe Naughty Listwere his dream and are now his legacy. Here’s to you Bernie, may you rest in theater heaven.“ She lifted her champagne flute toward the sky as reverent cheers of “to Bernie” were heard around the room.
When the party finally wound down, I bid farewell to my parents and sisters. I made sure they had an Uber back to the hotel, though it was only a few blocks away. My town car was out front, and Kirk and I hurried from the building into the waiting vehicle.
“Well, that was a lot of fun,” Kirk said as we snuggled against the leather backseat.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I never know how someone will react the first time they attend one of these events. They’re a bit high-profile for many people.”
“I think I can get used to this.”
