They moved down the steps and entered the theater near the top row of seats. In front of them, they could see the stage. Several people, presumably stagehands, were sweeping and moving furniture around as they worked. One lone, familiar figure sat in the front row leaning over a legal pad, writing furiously.
Colin pointed, lifted two fingers to his lips, and blew a loud, shrill whistle.
“Colin!” Nate cried, leaping to his feet. He threw the legal pad onto the stage and ran to where his friends were waiting, leaping into Colin’s arms. “Oh my god, I’m so glad to see you!”
Colin laughed and twirled Nate in a circle. “I’m glad to see you too, rabble-rouser.” He deposited Nate on his feet, then looked around him. “Nate, Ilovethis theater! It has an amazing ambiance.”
Nate had turned away to hug Joshua but wheeled back to face his friend. “Doesn’tit, Colin? When I first saw the thrust stage, I damn near cried with joy.”
“Nate, it’s wonderful,” Joshua murmured, gazing around. “My god, even thesmellhas character. You can feel that remarkable plays have been produced here.”
“Alex, just leave the luggage,” Nate told their chauffeur, then gestured toward the stage. “But you might want to give the guys a hand so they can go home.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Reese.” He started to move, but Colin grabbed his arm.
“Hang on, Alex,” he muttered, fumbling for his wallet.
“No, no, Colin,” Nate said, waving Alex forward. “I took care of that.”
“He hassucha crush on Colin,” Joshua whispered in a faked aside as Alex moved to the stairs, then onto the stage. “It’s rather sweet.”
“Oh, knock it off,” Colin grumbled, scowling.
Nate grabbed Colin’s arm and tugged him toward the stairs Alex had just climbed. “C’mon. Come with me. I want you to meet Ursula and Ross.”
“You mean thedirector?” Colin asked, moving up the stairs behind Nate. “The one who…”
“Yeah…him,” Nate said, his voice flat.
“You sure youwantme to meet him?”
“Be nice, sweetie,” Joshua suggested from behind.
Colin turned and grinned at him. “Always my intention.”
Nate led them behind the curtain, then further backstage to a row of dressing rooms. Ursula Rugby was seated at a small table peering at a sheaf of papers, and Ross Tanner stood next to her, talking to a stagehand. Joshua did not shake Tanner’s hand when introduced. Instead, he gave the director a curt nod, then stepped aside and watched with interest as Colin approached. The big Irishman gripped Tanner’s hand much longer than was necessary, tugging him close enough to invade his personal space. “Heard all aboutyou,” Colin growled, his voice low.
Joshua stifled a smile as he saw Tanner’s eyes widen. The man swallowed hard and tugged, trying to free his hand from Colin’s unrelenting grip. “Nice to meet you,” Tanner mumbled.
Colin said nothing but stared hard into the man’s eyes for a count of two before dropping his hand. Then he turned away and leaned over Ursula with a sweet, broad smile. “Heardwonderfulthings about you,” he told her. “Nate’s a lucky playwright.”
Ursula gazed up into his honeyed-green eyes and blushed. “Why, thank you, Mr. Campbell.”
“May we please get a tour?” Colin asked, still flashing his dimples. “Such marvelous architecture. This building overflows with character. I’d love to see more.”
Ursula rose. “I’d be thrilled to show you around, Mr. Campbell.”
Colin offered his arm. “Please. It’sColin.”
Nate and Joshua exchanged knowing glances as Ursula took Colin’s arm, and Joshua rolled his eyes. “Lord god, save us,” he groaned to Nate, who chuckled and linked his arm with Joshua’s before trailing after Colin and Ursula, leaving Tanner standing alone.
After touring the theater, Colin insisted on taking Ursula out to dinner. She led them to a nearby Irish pub called Fiddlesticks, which served a Guinness stout she felt Colin would enjoy, and he was delighted to see curried fries on the menu. They ate their fill, then walked Ursula back to the theater, where Colin bowed over her hand. “Thank you, Ursula. It’s been a great evening.”
“Are you staying long?” she asked.
“A couple of days,” Colin told her. “So I’m sure we’ll see you again.”
After retrieving their luggage, they said their good nights, then trailed behind Nate, who was hailing a cab. “I hope you guys don’t have a reservation anywhere,” he told them as they squeezed into the vehicle. “I want you to stay with me.”
