Juliet:Duh.
Me:Also, way to be the boss of your day. K, my turn ...
Juliet:Thank you. Thank you very much.
Me:I have news as well ...
Me:Are you ready?
Juliet:Spill
Me:Are you sitting down?
Juliet:Oliver!!!!!
Me:I got a job.
FaceTime starts ringing.
“Shut up!” she screams, bouncing up and down. “That’s amazing, Ollie!”
I laugh, unable to get a word in because she’s not stopping.
“What show? Is it off Broadway? On? Are you a principal? I’m booking a ticket to come see you onstage!”
She shimmies her shoulders, making me smile harder. And feel even more nervous that I’m telling a little white lie.
“I actually booked it a couple of weeks ago, but I didn’t want to jinx anything until everything was signed and done. Opening night is April 10.”
She frowns. “That’s my niece’s play, but let me know the run dates and when they go on sale because I’m sitting front row. I’m so proud of you. You deserve all the things.”
God, the way she smiles hits me right between the eyes.
“Thank you.” I’m staring at how pretty she is, not wanting to get off the phone, so I add, “Where are you going right now?”
“Well,” she draws out. “Since it’s my only day off this week, I’m going to hang with my sister ...” She narrows her eyes. “Where are you? That doesn’t look like your place.”
I bring the phone closer to my face. “Benny did some redecorating.”
She nods, chuckling. “Call me later? We can binge Netflix and gossip about all the weirdos in my office, Barrettes and Tofu got into an argument over sourdough bread starters. It was riveting.”
I grin. “Done. Text me when you get to your sister’s.”
She salutes me. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
“Hey,” I toss out, unable to help myself. “I miss you. Is that crazy ... I only had ya for a day, but I do ... miss you.”
She blinks into the phone and grins, her voice quieter. The way it always gets when she gets shy. “I miss you too. I don’t really know what we’re doing, but I don’t want it to stop. Is that okay?”
I nod, just staring at her before we hang up, because this girl is extraordinary, and I know she’s going to change my life.
Act III
The Happily Ever After
Rory
April
