Although, considering the bomb Phoebe just dropped, avoiding each other was going to be difficult if they were working together.
She cleared her suddenly dry throat. “I’ll ask him.”
Hopefully, he wouldn’t have a problem with her taking the lead. It was her design and she had no intention of letting someone else run with it, no matter how damn cute he was.
“I have to admit, I found it interesting that he left lunch so abruptly today.” Phoebe scratched her temple and grinned. “He’s usually calm and cool. So, yeah, I found that very interesting. My guess is you’re a blast from his past that sent a tremor in the force.”
Forcing a smile, she sighed. “Ethan told you.”
Phoebe nodded. “He said you two instantly hit it off over a holiday weekend several years ago.”
“It was just a brief thing.” She shrugged. “No biggie.”
“Well, I hope you’re okay to work with him. I feel bad for already lining him up to help.”
She set a hand on her friend’s shoulder. “It’s fine. Please don’t worry about it.”
“Super. So…let’s change the subject. What do you think of the place?” Phoebe asked as they neared.
“Wow.” She stopped to take in the structure that was a lot taller and grander than she’d first realized. And made of reinforced concrete. “You went art deco. I love it.”
Her friend grinned. “Me, too. It’s what I wanted. The more Streamline Moderne version from the 1930’s. Brandi designed everything I’d asked for, and Ryder delivered it down to the very last detail.” She nodded toward a cluster of cars in the parking lot. “Good. My assistant is already here, which means the doors are unlocked and the lights are already on. Wait until you see the inside.”
Bold geometric designs, chevrons, and zigzags met Sophia’s gaze as she stepped into the past. A glamorous one. “Reminds me of the Chrysler Building, and one of the art deco theaters in Oakland.”
“Exactly.” Phoebe beamed.
Black marble covered the walls halfway up, with gold horizontal stripes running the length of the walls. The rest of the walls were a series of tall, tan arches, with a gold, lit panel and a decorative rail inside the arches.
Straight ahead was a U-shaped stairway with risers on each side that met in an arch shape to form a balcony on the second floor.
“I originally wanted a marbled staircase, but it felt safer to go with the same carpet as the lobby. So we decided on a decorative black wrought iron rail to match the walls.”
“It’s perfect.” She smiled, then rushed up the stairs to gaze out over the lobby. “Truly perfect.”
Laughing, Phoebe met her upstairs. “I think so, too. Come on, you have to see the main theater.” The enthusiastic artist tugged her into the balcony of a grand theater with décor of gold and black, but also cream and red.
“I bet the acoustics are amazing,” she said, eyeing up the high ceiling with more geometric designs and art deco lighting.
Phoebe nodded. “I consulted a specialist. That was the most important detail. Come on.” She grabbed Sophia’s hand again. “Let me show you the rest.”
On the left of the main stage was a hall that led to a smaller theater, and two soundproof classrooms where a few students were already starting to gather. After a few quick introductions, she followed Phoebe to the right of the main stage, into a large wardrobe room complete with racks for costumes, tables, sewing machines, and a long shelf holding reams of fabric.
“Holy smokes.” She blinked. “It’s like a mini factory.”
Phoebe chuckled. “I wanted to make sure wardrobe has everything that’s needed. There are still a few shipments that haven’t come in yet.” Her smile widened as she let her to the final door. “I saved the best for last.”
Some of her friend’s excitement wore off on her, upping her pulse as the door opened to the room of her dreams.
“Oh. My. God.” Goose bumps covered her skin. “I’m in heaven.” Shelves stocked with paints and tools and material lined the far wall, and alongside were several stacks of plywood and a utility sink. She blinked, walking further into an actual space designated for set design. “Set design heaven.”
Her friend chuckled. “Ryder did a fantastic job.”
Right. She’d forgotten. The man was the one responsible for the whole incredible building. “He sure did. It’s perfect. I think I’ll move my bed in here and never leave.”
“Good.” Phoebe winked. “I was hoping you’d say that, because I’d love to work with you permanently here.”
She reeled back. “You would?”
