Page 45 of Play Room Actor

“My coworker,” I corrected him.

Grinning broadly, Kilian started clearing the dishes while I went to find my phone.

“I’m bringing someone with me,” I texted Nico.

“Oh! Is it the person you’ve been so secretive about? I can’t wait!”

“Don’t make a big deal out of it, okay? It’s just a coworker.”

“One you apparently stayed the night with,” he replied. “I know because I was home this morning. And you weren’t. ;)”

I rolled my eyes, instantly knowing this was a terrible idea. But then another message from Nico popped up.

“That works out well. Hector’s coming too. He doesn’t have to watch his kids today.”

I was glad Corvo was joining us. I got along well with him, and ever since the last poker tournament—where he’d been so distracted by Nico that he fell for my bluffs—I liked him even more.

13

–––––

Kilian

It was a wonderfully sunny day, not too hot for early June. I strolled alongside Dominic through the botanical garden park, savoring every breath I took next to him.

I had no idea what was going on with me, but the more I got to know Dominic, the more I craved to know everything about him. I felt like peeling him like an onion, digging through each layer to get to the heart of who he was. Countless questions raced through my mind, but I did my best to hold back my urge to talk too much.

I usually wasn’t someone who tried to make a good impression. I didn’t care what people thought of me. The fact that Hector was already in his forties even had a calming effect on me. He exuded the calm of a father, reminding me of my own. My dad had always encouraged me to just be myself. While that didn’t necessarily make my childhood easier, it also didn’t shake my confidence.

“You work in theater too?” Hector asked, clearly interested as we all walked along the wide path—Dominic and Nico on the outside, Hector and I in the middle.

“Yeah, I’m responsible for the stage lighting.”

“Ha! He’s the youngest department head the lighting department has ever had,” Dominic said, nudging me with his shoulder. “And now he’s being so modest.”

“Your light show in the gallery was amazing,” Nico added. “I didn’t know something like that was even possible. You totally took me on a trip.”

“I’m glad you liked it.”

“I’m working on finishing a play,” Nico continued. “And Hector’s roommate, Luca …”

“My subletter,” Hector corrected him with a smile.

“Sorry, his subletter,” Nico grinned and reached for Hector’s hand. “Anyway, he just graduated from film school. When we started discussing my play, he suddenly had all these crazy ideas about how we could incorporate video into it.”

“Collaboration between video and lighting is exciting and a really cool challenge. Let me know if you want to take it further.”

“Just like that?” Dominic turned to me, widening his eyes in surprise. “My roommate’s talking about an unfinished play and some video clips, and you’re already on board?”

“It’s my thing,” I said and shrugged. “I’m always open to new projects.”

“You just finished a 60-hour workweek. How are you going to juggle all of this?”

“I always find time,” I teased.

Dominic rolled his eyes and grinned. I was taken aback by how easygoing he was. In my presence, especially at the theater, he always seemed so strict with himself. Nico was obviously his trusted confidant, as I could practically see the tension melt away from Dominic when we met at the entrance gate.

While I continued chatting with Nico about the theater and potential performance spaces, Dominic and Hector soon walked ahead of us, and I overheard Dominic asking him about his upcoming divorce.