Page 67 of Play Room Actor

Was he unstable?

We hadn’t known each other long, and I’d only been at the theater for about a month. Sebastian inviting the three of us newcomers to his wedding party clearly meant we were now officially part of this “family.” Because that’s what the theater was—a big, extended family.

We had been welcomed with open arms, and I had gotten the jitters.

“Calm down, man. No one expects anything from you,” Nico had explained during one of my panicked moments. “It just means they respect and like you. Enjoy it.”

I kept reminding myself of his words, but I still struggled to shake off my suspicion.

“Don’t leave us hanging,” Vanja called out.

“There’s not much to say,” I began, resting my chin onto my palm. “We happened to cross paths before I got the role. After that, my roommate dragged me to an exhibition where Kilian was doing a light show.”

“Really?” Eliah asked, surprised. “A light show?”

“Yeah, it’s happening a few more times. It’s totally worth seeing. I was in a whole other world there.”

“And that’s when you two got closer?” Vanja took a sip of beer and looked at me eagerly. “Come on! I’m all about love stories!”

“You’re as stubborn and persistent as Kilian,” I teased.

I expected a comment from Vanja or some reaction from Eliah, but both were staring past me with wide eyes. Before I knew it, Kilian had placed a chair between Vanja and me and sat down.

“Hey, you two!” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

The thought of shrugging it off crossed my mind, but it felt so good, and I immediately absorbed all the warmth he was giving me.

His gorgeous smile was all-encompassing, and his presence was breathtaking. I had always admired his fashion sense, but tonight, in his 1920s outfit, he took it to another level.

He wore a white shirt, a charcoal vest, and a sleek black tie. With the gold chain dangling from a button leading into his pocket, he exuded the charm of a Gatsby. He crossed one leg over the other and leaned back.

“Have you guys been here long?” he asked, his eyes sparkling as they locked onto mine.

Up until that moment, I hadn’t even realized how tense I was but just seeing him made everything feel right again.

“Not too long. What about you?” I responded, aware that I only had eyes for him. But what could I do? Seeing him like this, back to full strength with that ridiculously charming smile, felt like a gift. I clenched my fist and forced myself not to caress his cheek, though that was exactly what I wanted to do.

When he removed his hand from my shoulder, something inside me cried out.

God! I wanted to throw myself at him and feel his lips on mine. To breathe in his warmth and his wonderful scent.

“You look great,” he said without answering my question.

“Uh … thanks,” I replied, a bit awkwardly.

I had gelled my hair back, but a strand had escaped, tickling my temple, which I tucked behind my ear, embarrassed.

“Don’t mind us,” Vanja chimed in with a singsong voice.

“Sorry.” Kilian chuckled as he shifted his gaze away from me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. What were you guys talking about?”

“About you,” Eliah replied.

“Dominic said I’m just as stubborn and persistent as you,” Vanja added as she theatrically flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder.

“Oh, really?” Kilian’s grin turned mischievous. “I’d like to hear more.”

“This conversation is over,” I said curtly, finishing my beer.