Sophie followed the group out the back door, and together, they walked to the pub. They were seated at a big table in the back, because, as it turned out, they were hungry as well as thirsty after a long day of rehearsals. Several people had already crowded around Jules. Between her charming smile, matching personality, and status as the lead, she had quickly become everyone’s favorite.
Sophie took a seat at the other end of the table, between Amir and Tabitha. They chatted through burgers and beers, sharing plenty of laughs.
“Seems like a great group,” Tabitha commented as she drained her beer.
“It does,” Sophie agreed.
“Sometimes it’s nice not having any stars around,” she said with a conspiratorial grin. “No big heads causing drama. It’s refreshing.”
Sophie snickered. She’d worked with her share of divas, of all genders. “Tell me about it.”
Several hours—and even more beers—later, Sophie made her way outside, hoping her roommates would have already retired to their room for the night by the time she made it home. It was past nine, and they often watched TV in bed together to give her some privacy in the living room. Sleeping on the couch was really an unglamorous life.
A hand tugged at Sophie’s jacket, and she turned to find Jules behind her on the sidewalk.
“Didn’t see you much today,” Jules said, her eyes searching Sophie’s.
“It was a busy day,” Sophie replied, fighting the urge to take a step back, putting a little distance between her and Jules, because standing this close to her, Sophie could see the golden flecks in her brown eyes and smell the floral scent of her perfume. The wind blew a lock of Jules’s hair over Sophie’s arm, and even through her jacket, she shivered at the contact. She’d hoped her attraction would have faded since the day they met, but apparently, it hadn’t.
“I just thought I picked up on a funny vibe from you today,” Jules persisted, falling into step beside Sophie as they walked away from the pub. “You aren’t upset about me playing Bianca, are you?”
“No.” Sophie blew out a breath, shaking her head. “I’m sorry for giving you that impression. I was in a bad mood this morning, but it didn’t have anything to do with you.”
“You sure about that?” Jules asked.
Sophie sighed, fighting a smile. “Okay, maybe I was feeling a little sorry for myself when I walked in this morning, imagining what it would have been like if I’d gotten to play Bianca, but that was petty of me.”
“You can’t help how you feel,” Jules said.
“I’m happy for you, Jules. Truly.”
“Thanks,” Jules said, looking relieved. “I’m glad we’ll be working together.”
“Me too,” Sophie told her.
“So…friends?”
“Yep,” Sophie agreed, glad they’d cleared the air between them. “How did you feel about today’s rehearsal?”
“I thought it went really well,” Jules said. “You?”
“Same.”
“It’s a lot of extra pressure, playing the lead,” Jules said, frowning slightly.
“I bet. Are you nervous, you know, about the kiss?” she couldn’t help asking.
“No,” Jules answered, maybe a little too quickly. They walked for a few more steps in silence. “Maybe a little. I’ve never actually kissed anyone onstage before.”
“I haven’t either,” Sophie said.
They lapsed into silence again. Jules’s lips were pressed together in a firm line, an indication she might be more nervous about the kiss than she’d admitted.
“Have you kissed a woman before?” Sophie asked impulsively.
“No.” Jules looked over, and their gazes locked. “Have you?”
Sophie laughed. “Ionlykiss women. I figured you already knew that about me.”
