Page 102 of Santa's Candy Cane
The rest of the show went well. We ran into a few speedbumps, but nothing we couldn’t fix and nothing the audience noticed. Exhausted and thrilled, I was calling the night a win.
While the actors took their bows upon the stage, my team and I stored all our gear where it needed to go for tomorrow night’s performance. Our jobs weren’t quite done when the house lights went up.
I wasn’t about to complain.
Afterward, I went out to the lobby where everyone was waiting for me. When Dad saw me approaching, he beamed with pride. Mom started crying, she was so happy for me. Jessie gave me a huge hug, along with Nic and Sadie.
Luke kissed me and told me how impressed he was. My lips lingered on his for a little longer than was appropriate in front of my parents, but none of this would have been possible if it wasn’t for him. Not only had his connections opened so many doors for me, but he had been nothing but supportive of me throughout the months of prep work.
I looked up into his eyes. “Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for being you,” he said softly. “That was an amazing show. I didn’t realize plays were like this now. That was hilarious and intense.”
“I’m so glad you liked it.”
Movement caught my eye and I turned to see the Phantom approaching me. The elaborate cape billowed around him, and I guessed who it was half a second before he pulled the mask off for his big reveal.
“Surprise!”
“Rodney, I should have known that was you,” I told him, bringing him in for a hug. “Only you would show up to a play in Phantom mask and cape.”
“I like the attention. So sue me.” He laughed. “Your fancy boyfriend was generous enough to fly me out here with the rest of the family. How could I say no?”
I pulled away and tried not to cry as I looked into my old boss’s face. “So what did you think?”
“I think I was wasting your talents. I mean, my God, when Rasputin floated down that river, I could have sworn that water was real.” He smiled at me like a proud uncle. “I guess you won’t be coming back to the Helios, now that it’s reopening?”
“Not to work, but I promise I’ll make it back at some point for a show.” I gestured vaguely around me at everything. “Assuming I survive this one, that is.”
“You’ll do great,” Rodney said. “You got through opening night. That’s the hardest performance.”
“Let’s hope.”
Luke took us all out to a late night dinner, and it warmed my heart to reconnect with everyone from home. New York was everything I hoped it would be, but the one thing it would always be missing was my family and old friends. Physically, we were far apart but they would always be close to my heart.
Just like the handsome devil sitting next to me at our massive table. I drank in his bright blue eyes and messy dark hair, tie loosened around his neck, a hint of stubble on his rugged jaw. I still couldn’t believe Luke was mine.
He noticed me staring at him and he smiled at me. “What?”
“I’m just happy,” I said, not trusting myself to say more without the emotions overflowing from my joyous heart.
“Then I’m happy, too,” he said and gave me a kiss filled with the promise of forever.
***
