Jules exhaled, stepping back to let Sophie into her dressing room. She closed the door after her, and then she just stood there, watching Sophie, arms clasped over her chest. That dress…
Sophie longed to reach out and touch it, touchher. “You were right,” she said. “About everything you said last night.”
Jules gave her a loaded look—so much emotion there, frustration, sadness, affection.
“I was running away,” Sophie said, needing to get it off her chest. “Because I felt myself getting bitter about my career, and also, I was afraid of where our relationship was going. You introduced me to your family as a friend, and I know why, Ido, but I panicked.”
“Sophie…”
She held a hand up. “No, just let me finish. I told you my last serious girlfriend was still in the closet, but maybe I didn’t tell you she broke my heart. I was in love with her, and she broke up with me because she couldn’t be truthful about herself. And I guess I still have some issues from it, because I felt myself falling in love with you, Jules, and I fucked it up because I was afraid.”
Jules slapped a hand over her mouth, tears rising in her eyes. “What?”
“Yes. I fell in love with you. There, I said it.” She laughed, but she was shaking now, talking over herself to get it all out. “The first night of previews was…well, it was a tough night for me…for both of us. You were sick, and I almost went on as Bianca, and it felt like you were pushing me away to be with your family, and I just…I acted like an idiot.”
Tears rolled over Jules’s cheeks, and she swiped at them, smudging her mascara, which was a shame since they had another performance in a few hours.
“That night, it felt like the universe was telling me to go to Syracuse, but almost as soon as I said yes to the job, it felt wrong. All I could think about was how much I would miss being a part of this world, being on stage, being withyou. It’s been absolute torture having to stay away from you, Jules. This is the world I’m meant for. I can’t leave Broadway, and I need you, if you’ll still have me.”
“But what about what you said before, about feeling bitter?” Jules asked. “I can’t help feeling like this surge of courage came because you got your chance to go on as Melissa.”
“It definitely did,” Sophie agreed. “When I took the stage as Melissa yesterday, it reminded me why I love this so much. I think it shook me out of my denial about what I was doing and why I was leaving.”
“And you’re not worried you’ll be bitter about it all again tomorrow?” Jules asked, impossibly sensible despite the tears streaming over her cheeks.
“No,” Sophie told her. “I know it doesn’t make sense, but these last few weeks, when I was preparing to give it all up, it changed my view. It reminded me that I’m a performer at heart. This is what I do. It’s what I love. After tonight, I’ll go back to the ensemble, but I’m not upset about it. I’d rather dance in the ensemble than leave New York—or you—any damn day. And afterIt’s in Her Kisswraps, I’m ready to get back out there and audition again.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Jules whispered.
“You don’t have to say anything. I just needed to get this off my chest so you knew how I felt.”
“Sophie…” Jules reached for her, pulling her into the warmth of her arms, and for a moment, they just clung to each other. “I have some things to tell you too, but my mom is going to be here any minute with my grandma. They flew in this afternoon.”
“Oh,” Sophie said. “Well, shit.”
“Can we finish this conversation later?” Jules asked, her arms tightening around Sophie. “I wish I could say tonight, but I’ve promised myabuelitaa night out in the city.”
“Oh my God, that’s like the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” And then they were kissing, holding on to each other with a desperation born out of weeks of pent-up emotion and desire. Sophie gripped Jules’s ass through that blue dress, hips pressed so tightly together, she could hardly breathe. “I wish I could lock that door and—”
There was a knock, and they froze. Jules’s eyes crinkled in laughter as she pulled away, rubbing her hands over her dress. “Who is it?” she called.
“It’s Kari.”
“Oh shit,” Sophie whispered.
“Just a second,” Jules said, turning to face the mirror. She rubbed away her smudged mascara and straightened her wig while Sophie checked her own appearance, but there was no hiding the flush on either of their cheeks or the way Jules’s nipples poked against the thin satin fabric of her dress. She tugged at it self-consciously, giving Sophie a helpless look as she opened the door.
Kari glanced between them and shook her head. “I’m not even going to ask. I was actually looking for you, Sophie. Tabitha told me I might find you here.”
She felt like her cheeks might catch fire. “We were just—”
Kari held up a hand. “I don’t need to know, but I do have some news for you. Actually, it affects you both.”
“Okay,” Jules said, brows knitted, concern evident in her tone.
“Micki’s grandmother came through surgery well, but the rehab for her hip will take weeks, if not months, and Micki has decided to stay with her for that,” Kari told them.
“Oh,” Sophie said, but she could hardly hear her own voice.
