“Well, I think Julia is a beautiful name, but Jules seems to suit you,” Sophie told her. “Imagine the billboard at the theater, though. ‘Starring Julia Vega.’ It has a nice ring to it.”
Jules ducked her head, biting her lower lip to hide her smile. “It does. I don’t think my name’ll be on the billboard this time,though.”
It was true. Only stars with name recognition got that kind of placement. But still… “Someday, if not this time.”
“Same for you, Sophie Rindell.”
They were grinning at each other like smitten fools when the hostess interrupted to show them to their table. She seated them at a table for two in the center of the restaurant. Not exactly the romantic location Sophie would have preferred, but she doubted anything could dampen their mood tonight.
Jules untied the belt on her coat and shrugged out of it, revealing a figure-hugging rose-pink dress embellished with a white floral design. It hit just below the knee, highlighting all her curves, and Sophie couldn’t wait to get her hands on it, even if it was just a quick kiss at the door before they said good night.
“Worth the wait,” Sophie said, sliding her gaze over the dress.
Jules gave her an amused look as she sat across from Sophie. They picked up their menus and studied them quietly, stealing glances at each other as they decided what they wanted to eat. When their waitress arrived, they ordered cocktails to start.
“Costume fittings today kind of hit home how soon the show opens, didn’t it?” Jules said, fingers tapping absently against her menu.
“Yes, totally. The mockups look amazing too. I can’t wait to see you in that blue dress you wear at the end. It should be stunning.”
“I like it too.” Jules got a dreamy look on her face. “All those rhinestones. I love sparkles.”
“And bubbles,” Sophie teased as their drinks arrived. She’d gotten an apple martini, and Jules had something pink and fizzy.
“It’s true,” she agreed as she lifted her glass, holding it toward Sophie. “To new beginnings.”
“I’ll drink to that.” They clinked glasses.
“Mm.” Jules closed her eyes for a moment, savoring her drink, andGod, she was gorgeous tonight.
Sophie could hardly take her eyes off her. She leaned forward. “It’s really not fair, you wearing that dress tonight and expecting me to sit here and have a civilized dinner with you.”
Jules’s cheeks flushed almost as pink as her dress. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Iloveit.” Sophie dropped her gaze to Jules’s breasts, highlighted beneath the snug fabric. Her cross pendant dangled above her cleavage, glinting beneath the restaurant’s lighting.
“Jules?” a man’s voice said, interrupting the moment.
Jules glanced to her left, and her eyes widened. “Stephen, wow. What a surprise.”
Sophie followed her gaze. A tall, dark-haired man stood there, smiling at Jules, who had popped out of her seat to hug him. Stephen’s hand lingered possessively on Jules’s lower back as he spoke to her.
Sophie’s fingers clenched around her martini glass.
Jules turned toward her, an apology in her eyes. “Sophie, this is Stephen Robichaux, an old…friend.”
The hesitation gave her away. “Nice to meet you,” Sophie said politely.
He extended a hand, his expression relaxed and friendly. Either Jules was far enough in his past that he no longer carried a torch, or he had failed to realize Jules was on a date. If Sophie were a betting woman, she’d put her money on the latter.
“A pleasure,” he told her as they shook hands. “Jules and I go way back. We even dated for a while.”
Shocker.
Jules’s cheeks had gotten impossibly darker. “Briefly,” she said as she disentangled herself from Stephen’s grasp and slid onto her chair.
“What are you up to these days?” he asked, clearly not in a hurry to leave.
Sophie reached for her drink, toe tapping impatiently beneath the table.
