AJ’s skin flushed; Noah was still eyeing her. She smiled at him, and he motioned for her to cross the room.
“How’s the bride-to-be?” said Risa, embracing AJ like a sorority sister. “You guys set a date yet?”
“Not yet,” said AJ.
Noah’s torso angled toward her, as if he were about to reach out.
No. Touching.
Quickly, AJ turned to the new man. He was in his late forties and stood about five foot ten, wearing an expensive blue suit that accentuated his very blue eyes. His tan was an accomplishment.
“AJ, this is Ned, my manager,” said Noah.
“Nice to meet you, AJ,” said Ned, extending his hand. AJ shook it; it was a good handshake. “I was sorry not to be there in Albuquerque, but my nephew was getting married.”
“I guess we’ll have to forgive you then,” said AJ. Ned laughed harder than the joke deserved, which made AJ warm to him probably more than he deserved. He glanced from AJ to Noah. “Why don’t we give you kids a minute to catch up?”
Ned pulled Risa aside, and they began flipping through photos on her phone.
AJ looked up into Noah’s face. He was studying her, a little shyly. AJ’s cheeks colored; he was the only cast member she hadn’t hugged in greeting.
He’s not keeping track,she reminded herself. He stepped toward her, placing his hands on his hips. As he did, Ned glanced over like a chaperone.
“I’ve been brushing up,” said Noah. “I think I could actually answer that question about Rho’s patrilineage if it came up today. I had no idea how…academic these things would be.”
AJ laughed. “How have you been studying?”
“The woman who runs rhorhorhoyourbiceps.com is actually a pretty good writer,” he said, bashfully rubbing his bangs. “And I watched a couple episodes.”
AJ’s eyebrows shot up. “You must be really feeling the pressure,” she said, smiling teasingly into his dark eyes. Then she admitted, “I did too.”
She’d watched the first three to see if she could stand it. Every time she walked onscreen, it came as a shock. But as the episodes progressed, AJ found herself pleasantly surprised by her own choices. Ana came across as vulnerable but quietly strong.
Noah gave her a knowing smirk. “I thought you were good, too,” he said, and AJ felt a tug. So faint. Not at all like it had been while filming. That was in the footage too, how intensely they felt each other, how that had meant more than what was or wasn’t being said. Now, all they had were words.
A staffer appeared with a five-minute warning. Risa came forward to spruce Noah.
AJ glanced at her own reflection. She had actually applied mascara today and swapped out her usual tee for an Ana-adjacent white blouse. The glasses and bun were all AJ, though.
Risa caught AJ’s eye. “Come here.”
“Why,” said AJ suspiciously, but she obeyed.
Noah rejoined them as Risa considered AJ with a beautician’s eye. “You have the best hair,” she cooed. “What do you think, Noah? Up or down?”
“Oh, I’m the wrong person to ask,” said Noah lightly. In the mirror, AJ thought she saw his hand tense.
“Okay great, down it is,” said Risa. She reached over and in two twists, removed the elastic from AJ’s hair, shaking it out with her fingers.
“Glasses,” she said, opening her palm. Reluctantly, AJ handed over her spectacles. She was nearsighted without them; maybe that would help. Maybe she wouldn’t be able to see the crowd. Risa positioned AJ in front of the mirror. For the first time in forever, Ana Tar stared back.
“Better,” said Risa.
“If you say so,” said AJ. She glanced over her shoulder and caught Noah watching. He blinked a few times as the staffer returned to bring them out.
Now they were lining up: Xiaobo, then Toni, then Dave, then AJ, then Noah.
As they processed backstage single file, the crowd’s chanting exploded into earshot. Up ahead in the wing, Toni, Dave, and Xiaobo stretched and shook themselves to expel the adrenaline. Noah, meanwhile, stood calmly behind. AJ crossed her arms and squeezed her ribs.
