“Right,” I say. “More steps. Everyone pay attention to Evan.”
* * *
EVAN
“Five minutes to Act II!” Mrs. Kowalski calls.
The kids scatter. Josh waves goodbye, practicing the step as he runs off. Marie hugs Holly before heading backstage.
“Want to watch Act II with me?” Holly asks. “Best seat in the house.”
“I'd like that.”
We stand side by side in the wings. Her sleeve touches mine. The Act II music fills the theater, and when Marie appears in the finale, she's radiant.
Holly's watching her niece with such pride.
I shift closer, my hand touching hers. Not an accident.
She doesn't pull away.
I hook my fingers around hers.
She threads her fingers through mine.
The music swells. The final scene plays out beautifully.
Holly squeezes my hand. I squeeze back.
* * *
HOLLY
The show ends. Curtain call happens. Backstage erupts into chaos again—parents congratulating kids, Mrs. Kowalski giving notes, everyone starting to pack up.
Evan lets go of my hand as we step back into the lights.
I miss his touch immediately.
“I should help pack up,” I say.
“What do you need me to do?”
“You don't have to?—”
“Holly. What needs doing?”
I look at him. “Props need to go back to storage. Party-scene stuff?”
“Show me.”
Emma and Marie skip over, both flushed from the performance high.
“You're both coming to dinner, right?” Marie asks.
“If that's okay,” Evan says.
“It's mandatory,” Emma corrects. “Mom already set places.”
