“We want Derek to sing with Cleo on some tracks. Our West Side Story song is going to be the first single and the heart and soul of the album. We’re going to start every show with it. Since Derek played Tony way back in the day it’s only right he sings it again. Ethan’s offered to help him train his voice. It’s been years since he’s really sang.”
“Don’t him and Adrian already sing?” I asked, glancing at Adrian. He was shoving another piece of chicken in his mouth. He did not look happy.
“Yeah, but that’s different. Those are just backup vocals. Anyways, he’s nervous about it.” Cleo yawned loudly.
“I am so sick of shop talk! Can we talk about anything besides work? Chase, how’s the baby? Renee, what about the play; do you know the other people in the cast?”
“He’s good. We only woke up once last night. Oh! He laughed the other day. It was so cute,” Chase said. Adrian snorted.
“We were watching Clue, that old movie with Tim Curry. He was giggling through the whole movie.” Cleo and I both sighed deeply over how cute the three of them were. She then turned to me expectantly.
“The play is going to be great. My two oldest friends are the director and assistant director. The cast is small, but I do know the guy who is playing my twin brother,” my eyes shifted to Mark. I wondered for a moment if he had ever even seen the movie. If he had, I really thought he’d have some kind of reaction.
“Wait, isn’t that play like the movie? Where the brother and sister get it on and they are all rich and weird?” Adrian called out suddenly. Cleo and Mark’s mouths fell open a bit and they looked from him to me. I could feel the heat rushing to my face.
“That’s the one. I’m playing Jackie-O.”
Adrian’s eyebrows lifted in surprise and then he nodded.
“Nice.”
“Like Jackie Onassis?” Cleo asked, her interest piqued. “Are they going to make you dye your hair?”
I shook my head. “The characters are obsessed with the Kennedy’s. But no, I’ll be wearing a wig. It was my one condition,” I chuckled. I glanced at Mark again and he didn’t look happy. His face was blank. I reached for his hand and it brought him back down to earth. He looked over at me and forced a smile.
“Good. Because I’ll be damned if they take away the purple. I can’t imagine you any other way.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
“How long have you had your hair like that?” Cleo asked.
“I think I was about seventeen. When I first left home. I can’t even remember what I look like without it,” I laughed.
“Are you a natural blonde?” She smiled and rubbed her stomach. “I’m just trying to imagine what the little - tater tot is going to look like.”
“Is that what we’re calling it now? Did Derek start a thing?” Mark yawned. Cleo shrugged.
“Why not? What do you think Renee?”
“I love it, and yes, Mark and I both have naturally blonde hair, so I assume they will too.”
“You never know. I have brown hair and brown eyes, but all three of mine have jet black and beautiful blue eyes. Genes are funny that way,” she mused.
“Speaking of names, have you thought of any good ones yet?” Adrian asked. Cleo’s eyes lit up excitedly. She leaned forward and put her hands flat on the table.
“What do you guys think of Pubert, for a boy of course.”
“What if it’s a girl?” Adrian asked.
“How do you guys feel about Hannibelle?”
* * *
We decided on Wednesday lunches. It marked Cleo’s next week in her pregnancy and after two full days with the guys, I think it helped to get a mini break. It was my turn to pick restaurants, and today I was feeling Italian. Both of us were so hungry we ordered quickly and started on the endless breadsticks.
“So, how is week nine?” I asked cheerfully. She beamed with a mouthful of bread. Swallowing she quickly answered.
“Tater tot is now the size of a green olive. Still no vomiting, but my stomach is going crazy. Either I can’t eat all day, or I can’t eat enough. Today, for instance,” she giggled, grabbing another breadstick.
“How’s rehearsal going?”
