He held me tightly, and I felt a zapping electric feeling as a result of his words and his embrace.
"I'm right here now, though."
"Yes, and you were so good today."
"It's James and Meredith, Allie and them who have the hard roles. But thank you. I had fun, and I felt good about it. And I can't believe you came back."
"Could you see me in the audience?"
"Yes, but I didn't look," I admitted. "I saw enough to know you were there, and then I kind of blocked it out."
"Were you nervous? You didn't look nervous at all."
"I felt, for the last week, like I feel right now." I motioned to my chest. "My heart's just beating so fast that it’s a buzzing feeling. It's not nerves, it's different. It's like this underlying layer of adrenaline, excitement, buzzing, all sorts of things."
He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. We stayed like that for a minute, and then I took a second to take off my hat and readjust, but we just went right back to holding each other. Both of us were so relieved to be there that we stayed quiet and still in each other's arms for what must've been five full minutes after I adjusted.
Finally, I pulled back.
Ash.
Goodness.
He was a beautiful man, and I felt my eyes sting when I took in the sight of him at such close range. I blinked, smiling. I reached up and touched the side of his face. It was surreal having him next to me.
"Please don't do that again," he said.
"You have to in October, but it'll be okay. It'll go by fast."
"No, not that. I'm talking about the show."
"You don't want me to do another show?" I asked, pulling back and honestly perplexed.
He grinned and shook his head, letting out a sigh. He glanced at me with those sparkling eyes. He was an absolute vision—the best looking man I'd ever seen.
"It's not that," he said. "You were great, and I was proud of you. Just please never look that good again in a costume," he said, making a little face that made me smile.
"The fishnets were a bit much, but those jail girls always wear stuff like that in the show."
"It's not that I'm trying to control what you wear. Well, I guess it is. You can do what you want. It would just be wonderful for me if you were fully covered up all the time—with a sign that said reserved for Ash Adams." He smiled again and bit his lip. "Ultimately, it's your choice, and the only reason I care is that you're sooo freakinggg beautifullll." He said that last phrase in a moan and buried his face near mine, causing me to giggle.
"What did your parents think?"
"They loved it. My mom told my dad they need to see more theater."
"What do they think about us?"
"They're happy."
"No, like, what do they think is going on? You told them we were talking? I mean, I guess they saw you give me flowers."
"They know you're my girlfriend, Audrey."
"What?" My stomach dropped.
"I told them. I made plans to come back early for you. I had to. Does your family not know? I'm sure they've figured it out."
"Not that I'm your… I barely know that."
