Page 36 of Cruel Embers
“Ditto, Vi.”
I hear her sniff and then a deep murmur. No doubt Ethan is making sure she’s alright.
“I still can’t believe it.”
She laughs. “I can, so when do you start rehearsals?”
“They begin the week of your baby shower, but it’s all good because it’s Monday to Friday and during the day.”
“Well, I need to know as soon as the tickets go on sale. I need to get front row tickets.”
My stomach comes alive with butterflies. It’s been so long since I felt this kind of nervous excitement, and it feels rejuvenating.
“Okay, I’ll let you go and just let me know when I can steal you away from Ethan.”
“Will do, love you.”
“Love you too.”
And because I am indeed feeling good, I decide tonight’s outing with Nathan calls for my old faithful and most trusted friend—my little black dress.
* * *
I spent most of the afternoon pampering myself with a bubble bath, face masque, and the whole shebang. If you can’t celebrate about getting a dream role in a west-end show, when can you? My jaw aches. I swear I am not used to smiling this much. I’m just finishing the last curl when my intercom sounds.
“It’s me.” The deep timber of Nathan’s voice moves over me, sending shivers throughout my entire body.
I have to take a moment, sucking in a deep breath before I reply, “Come on up.”
I press the buzzer and unlatch the door, pulling it ajar as I go back to my room, and pull out my Dr Martens, the ones I save for special occasions. This constitutes a special occasion.
The sound of the door closing has me stepping into the hallway, my boots in my hand as Nathan looks up, lips parted as his eyes roam up and down my body, sending a soaring heat right between my thighs.
It’s only because it’s been a while, I tell myself. If only that were true. Damn, he looks good; too good. His lips quirk into a smile like he can hear every thought I just had.
“Damn, Vi, you look… wow.”
I bite my lip and spin in a circle. “The power of the LBD,” I say with a slight shimmy as I face him again.
“The what?”
“Little black dress,” I say, dropping my boots on the floor, ready to slip into them when I notice out of my peripheral vision Nathan pulling out a bunch of flowers and a bottle of champagne from behind his back. I snap my head in his direction, taking a better look. The flowers in his hand are electric blue galaxy Dendrobium orchids.
“Those…” I trail off, pointing at the flowers. “They’re my favourite,” I say in a rush, unable to keep the tremble from my voice.
He moves towards me with an almost predatory gleam in his eyes as he hands them to me. “I know,” he says, his finger catching one of my curls before letting it go.
“But how?”
He taps the side of his nose and then holds up a yellow labelled bottle of Veuve Clicquot—also my favourite, but something I hardly indulge in as it’s rarely in my budget.
“Congratulations,” he says, leaning down to greet me with a kiss on the lips before stepping back.
Which is a good thing because I suddenly forget how to breathe in his proximity, stunned because Nathan just kissed me—on the lips. He’s kissed me on the cheek before, but never my lips.Okay, chill your tits, Vi, it was just a peck on the lips. Stop overthinking it.
“Fancy popping this bad boy before we head out?”
I nod and turn around, heading to the kitchen. He follows behind, then opens the cupboard door where the glasses are kept.
