But because that’s just the surface layer of this man, I find myself enchanted by it. And I find myself playing back in a way I’ve never done before.
“The thing about the Montagues and Capulets,” he says during a scene change, “is that nobody even remembers why they’re fighting. The grudge has outlived its origin. They’re just performing hatred because that’s what they’ve always done.”
“That’s very insightful.”
“All of my comments are insightful. You just fail to appreciate them sometimes.”
“If I appreciated them aloud, you’d never shut up.”
“I never shut up anyway. You might as well enjoy it.”
“I do enjoy it,” I say quietly.
For a second, something flickers across Archie’s face. Quick enough that I almost miss it. Like he expected a different response and is recalibrating.
Then he grins and turns back to the stage, and his commentary resumes.
I tell myself to stop analyzing every micro-expression on Archie Mansley’s face and watch the play.
I do not watch the play.
I should have realized I wouldn’t get away with it.
Because as soon as Act Two finishes, signaling the start of the intermission, and we all stand to stretch, Andrew drags me toward the foyer, leaving Justin to make polite conversation with Elizabeth and Archie.
“What the hell is going on between you and Archie?” he demands to know.
“What do you mean, what’s going on? I told you before. We’re pretending to be together to fool his godmother.”
“Well, it’s the best pretending I’ve ever seen.”
I become very interested in the mechanics of candle maintenance. An attendant is lowering one of the chandeliers, trimming the wicks.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I say.
“I’ve never seen you like this with anyone,” Andrew says.
I’m almost afraid to ask the question. “Like what?”
“So…entranced.”
Entranced. It’s an interesting word choice. But probably accurate if I’m being honest. Didn’t I just use the word enchanted? I’m fairly sure they are synonyms.
“I’ve never met anyone like him,” I say honestly.
“He’s not scared of you,” Andrew says.
“No. He appears to find me amusing.” I rub a hand between my eyebrows.
“Why the hell haven’t you told him about Vaughn? About the real reason behind his accident?”
“I tried to tell him, but he told me he didn’t want confessions. That he just wants to keep things between us light and fun.”
Andrew exhales slowly through his nose. The exhale of a man who has seen this movie and knows how it ends. “What do you mean, things between you? Please tell me you’re not sleeping with him?”
I grimace. “I could tell you that, but I’d be lying.”
“Shit, Leo, you realize you’re getting yourself into the same situation you spent months warning me about, right?”
