Page 84 of Rags's Awakening
“I didn’t see you at the restaurant. Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
“Your bikerfriendwas keeping you busy.”
Anger replaced diplomacy. It hit hot and sudden, the way it always did when someone tried to claim a say in her life. “What I do and who I hang out with is my business.”
“The only reason I brought it up is to tell you I’m not buying what you said about not wanting a relationship. Just be honest with me.”
“I have been but you haven’t caught on.” Casey’s stomach churned when his face fell. “I didn’t mean to be so harsh. Let’s not ruin a good friendship, okay?”
“Okay,” he mumbled. “I have to finish up here.”
“Of course. I want to congratulate the cast.” She turned the doorknob and glanced over her shoulder. “Are you going to the opening night after party?”
Not looking at her, he shrugged.
“You should. You deserve some adulation for the wonderful job you did on sound and lights.”
“I’m busy right now.” His tone was dismissive.
“Maybe I’ll see you at the party.” Casey stepped into the corridor.That was uncomfortable as hell. I can’t believe he saw me with Rags. These are times I wish I was back in a big city.
Raven beamed and stood when Casey entered the dressing room.
“You were fantastic!” Casey said, hugging her. “There’s no way the reviews aren’t going to be stellar. You and the rest of the cast were on fire.”
“I was great, wasn’t I?” Raven said as she sat on the vanity stool. “Everything flowed beautifully. For the duration of the play, IwasRoxanna.” She closed her eyes while powdering her face.
“Your portrayal of the lead character was a triumph. The audience couldn’t scramble to their feet fast enough when you took your bow.”
“I loved every minute of it.” Raven’s eyes sparkled.
“How did Curtis like the play? I’m sure he’s proud of you.”
Raven wave a hand dismissively. “You know him. Mr. Stoic. He hasn’t even come backstage.” A sliver of resentment laced her voice.
“Is he coming to the party?” Casey asked.
“Supposed to. We’ll see if he shows up.”
“I can’t imagine he wouldn’t.”
Before Raven could respond, there was a knock on the door before it slowly opened. Curtis’s pallid and glum face appeared.
“Curtis!” Raven gushed, rushing over to him. “How did you like the play?”
Curtis stared at Casey for a second too long and just enough to unsettle her. “It was a good performance.”
“She was fantastic,” Casey said, recoiling a bit when Curtis frowned.
“As I said, it was a good performance. You did a nice job.” He hugged his wife then stepped away and gazed at Casey. “Are you going to the party?”
“Just for a little while,” she replied.
“Tomorrow’s Saturday,” Raven said. “You should relax and have a good time tonight. You deserve it. Without yourmarketing prowess, we wouldn’t have sold out the run of the show.”
“All of us work well together as a team,” Casey said. “I’ll admit I’m exhausted and have a lot of client projects I have to work on tomorrow.”
“You need to get out more,” Raven said as she wrapped herself around Curtis.
