That protein bar was threatening to reappear. Jules pressed a hand against her stomach, steadying herself. Someone knocked on the door to her dressing room. Swallowing hard, she pulled it open to reveal Sophie standing there, a curious expression on her face. Everything inside Jules relaxed as she gestured Sophie inside, shutting the door behind her.
“You okay?” Sophie asked as Jules wrapped her arms around her, burying her face against Sophie’s neck.
“No,” she admitted. “I’m a nervous wreck.”
“You’re going to be great,” Sophie told her, one hand rubbing up and down Jules’s back. “I’ve been watching you all week, and you’ve got this, Jules. Your performance is flawless.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I wish I had your confidence in me.”
“You will, after you’ve got a few performances under your belt.”
She straightened, giving Sophie a shaky smile. “Thanks. Do you have anyone coming to watch this afternoon?”
Sophie nodded, excitement lighting in her eyes. “My roommates will be here. It’s the only time they’ll be able to come since they’re both performing in the evenings right now too.”
“I’m so glad they’ll be here,” Jules said. “Maybe you can introduce us.”
“Definitely.” Sophie leaned in for a quick kiss. “Ready?”
“Mm. Just one more of those…” She pulled her in for a deeper kiss, and the jittery feeling in her stomach magically disappeared. “If I could keep kissing you, I don’t think I’d be nervous at all.”
“Well, I’m available for discreet kissing whenever you need it,” Sophie murmured against her lips.
“I may have to take you up on that.” Reluctantly, she broke the kiss. After another hug, she opened the door, leading the way to the stairs.
“Did you hear about the snow?” Sophie asked.
Jules turned to her in alarm. “Snow? Really?”
“Tomorrow,” Sophie said.
“Shit.” Jules pressed a hand against her stomach. “A lot?”
“I don’t think so. It shouldn’t affect our first preview performance, but if a few people stay home, that might take a little of the pressure off, right?”
“True.” Snow meant she could blame empty seats on the weather, not her performance. “I’m glad my family’s flying in today, though.”
“Mine are coming tomorrow. Hopefully, they don’t run into any trouble,” Sophie said with a frown.
“I hope so too.”
They stepped onstage to find a circle of chairs set up the way they had been for their initial read through all those weeks ago. Kari waved them over, indicating for Jules to sit to her left. Sophie took a seat on the opposite side of the circle. For the next two hours, they ran through logistics, fine-tuning the afternoon’s performance, while Jules tried not to be annoyed by how perky Micki was beside her.
Finally, they broke for lunch, and Jules retreated to her dressing room to force down another protein bar and some water. Her mom texted to say she’d just boarded her flight in Miami, and tears welled in Jules’s eyes. She couldn’t wait to see her mom and her brothers, although the thought of them watching her onstage in a few hours sent another spasm through her stomach.
Unfortunately, her mom texted again a half hour later to say they’d been delayed at the gate, which meant they’d probably miss tonight’s dress rehearsal, but maybe that was for the best, as far as Jules’s nerves went.
When the time came, she changed into her robe and went down the hall to have her wig put on. Wigs were fairly standard in this business, to save the performers’ hair having to be processed and styled for eight shows a week. They also allowed for quicker hairstyle changes during the show, but she still wasn’t overly fond of wearing them. She tended to find them itchy and hot, but she’d gotten used to them over the years.
The team pin curled her hair, covered it with a stocking cap, and then secured the wig. When they’d finished, she wore Bianca’s shinier, more polished brown curls. She thanked the hair team and returned to her dressing room to do her makeup.
Thirty minutes later, she slipped into the red dress she would wear for the first segment of the show. Sarah, one of the theater’s employees, helped her zip it before leading her up the stairs to take her mark. This was it.
The area beside the stage buzzed with actors and staff, all rushing about as they found their places and took care of last-minute details. From beyond the curtain, Jules heard the murmur of conversation. The audience wasn’t empty tonight.
She gulped, swallowing her nerves.
“You’re going toslay,” Sophie whispered in her ear, and Jules jumped, turning toward her. Sophie wore her first costume of the night, a pink dress that showed off plenty of leg. “Also, you look really hot,” she told Jules with a wink.
