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“Anything I can do to help?” Roman asks.

Of course, his first reaction is to offer his help. We get it, you’re perfect. You don’t have to keep rubbing it in.

“Apparently, my Darcy is a no-show.” She blows out a sigh. “The show can’t go on without my main character.” Her eyes sweep the room. “The show starts in less than an hour.”

I can practically feel her stress as if it were my own, and I hate that there isn’t anything I can do to help.

Frank places a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, honey, we’ll figure this out.”

I watch as Roman shifts into fix-it mode, calmly taking control of the situation. He looks around, as if searching for someone to fit the bill. “All right, let’s think. We just need to find you a Mr. Darcy…”

Just then, Guy rounds the corner wearing a pair of light-wash jeans and a white sleeveless undershirt.

Roman gestures at him as if the solution is obvious. “What about Guy? He can be your Darcy.”

Guy scoffs, looking offended. “No… I’m Mike…remember?”

A furrow forms between his brows. “Mike? Mike who?” He doesn’t wait for a response. “Okay then, why don’t you let Guy be Darcy and find someone else to fill in for Mike? I’m sure Luka could do it.”

“No, dear, Guy is already playing Magic Mike, the male lead…” Mary explains. “Darcy is his love interest.” Her brow pulls into a crease as she looks at Roman. “I thought I told you, the play is inspired by Magic Mike meets Pride and Prejudice.”

“Seems like someone hasn’t been paying attention to the conversation at family dinner,” Guy says, throwing an arm over his mother’s shoulder.

Magic Mike meets Pride and Prejudice. Now that’s a unique concept. Someone hand me a bucket of popcorn because this night just keeps getting better and better. I’m not sure where this woman came from, but I find myself growing more curious about her with each second.

“What’s wrong with Miss Scarlett? I’m sure she’d love to be groped by Guy,” Roman suggests.

“Scarlett’s in charge of costume design. We need her where she is,” Mary says.

“Okay…then how about…Lucy?” Roman fires back, reaching for his phone like he needs to look up a reference list.

“Lucy and I don’t have that kind of chemistry,” Guy retorts.

Mary shakes her head. “She’s too reserved. Besides, I need someone who can project their voice⁠—”

“Not to mention fit in the dress,” Frank mumbles under his breath. Then, as if realizing how that must’ve sounded, he adds, “Lucy’s recently gotten into weightlifting. I’m not sure her biceps will fit through the sleeves.”

Mary nods in agreement. “That fabric really isn’t very forgiving.”

I snort out a laugh as four heads spin toward me.

“I’m sorry. It’s not funny,” I apologize, but the smile I’m still wearing isn’t very convincing.

“What about her?” Frank gestures to me with his thumb. “You’re about the same size. I bet you could memorize a few lines.”

“Oh… No… I don’t think…” I shake my head, looking at Roman to back me up, but when I see the hope lighting up Mary’s face, I feel my resistance take a nosedive. I just met the woman, and I already can’t stand the thought of disappointing her.

I hear Marguerite’s voice reminding me of her thirteen rules.

Rule number nine: If you get an opportunity to make someone’s dream come true, always take it—especially if it costs you something.

I’d say this is a prime opportunity to cross rule number nine off my list. Besides, when else will I get a chance to make someone’s dreams come true? That’s not something you encounter every day. And helping out would technically cost me something, since I was trying to stay out of the limelight.

Roman shakes his head, his voice gentle yet stern. “Kira’s here as my assistant. Let’s not ask her to step outside her job duties⁠—”

“I don’t mind,” I blurt.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me tonight, but I find myself actually excited to help out.