“Exactly.”
“This is insane,” she says.
“Completely insane.”
“But it could work.”
“It could work,” I agree.
She picks up her phone. “I should call Emma back. Let her know I found someone.”
“Should I be nervous about meeting your family?”
“Oh, absolutely. They’ll have so many questions. They’ll assume we're dating for real.”
“Will that be a problem?”
“No, I guess not. But it means my mom's going to try to feed you. My dad's going to interrogate you about your intentions. Emma's going to corner me in the kitchen and demand details I don't have yet.”
“Hmm, yet?”
“You know what I mean,” she says. “Details about the arrangement.”
Right. The arrangement. That's what this is.
She lifts her phone to her ear. “Emma? Yeah, I found someone. He's—yes, he's qualified. We'll be there for tech rehearsal.” She's trying not to laugh. “No, you cannot tell Mom yet. Emma. Emma. Fine. Yes. Okay. See you tomorrow.”
She ends the call and looks at me. I can see the relief on her face.
“Tech rehearsal is tomorrow afternoon. Show's at seven-thirty. We should leave in the morning to be safe.”
“Let me drive us.”
She looks up, surprised. “You don't have to?—”
“I know. But it makes sense. We're going to the same place, and you've been stressed all afternoon. Let me drive.”
She considers this for a moment. “Okay. You'll need a place to stay, of course.”
“I'll have Taylor find me something.”
“Evan.” She gives me a look. “I'm a planner and I know the town. I’ll have Taylor call Pinewood Inn and ask for Louise. She'll tell her they're booked for the festival, but Taylor should mention my name and ask about the Fairview Cabin.”
"You have an in?"
"Louise forgets that cabin exists—it's off their main property. But it's perfect, and you'll have privacy."
“Of course, I should have known you’d know what to do. So, we’re all set, then?”
“Almost.” She stands, stretching her arms across her body. “We won't have much time to rehearse tomorrow. I should walk you through the party scene now.”
I blink. “Now?”
“Right now. We have the space, we have the music on my phone.” She's already pulling it out. “Come on—let’s clear some chairs.”
“You want to rehearse The Nutcracker. In my office.”
“Do you have a better plan?”
