I’m inches from their faces now, still on my knees, which bear the weight of my body smilingly, lightly, like a feather. I’m gazing deeply into Trevor’s dull blue eyes. Mine shine like stars in the dark. Does he understand what I mean by bewitched?
Trevor nods. Yes. He believes he does.
He turns to Ellie. He places his hands gently on either side of her dumbstruck face. He tilts his lovely young head, he leans in toward her. Kisses her. Deeply. Gently. Wildly.
Ellie shudders, gasps, melts to the floor.
“Better,” I say. “Much better.”
And then a noise like a door creaking. I look up.
Hugo, standing in the side entrance. Smiling at me. Why can’t Trevor smile at Ellie that way? He claps his hands silently. Mouths, Bravo.
CHAPTER 16
“WOW. GREAT REHEARSAL, Miranda,” Hugo says after I’ve let them all go. Trevor and Ellie walked out together, I noticed. Not holding hands, but talking close together. Whispering. Enjoy it, Ellie, I think. Enjoy it as I enjoy the fact of Hugo standing here, grinning at me with his little white teeth. His wheat-colored hair catching the light, redder than I remember. Telling me I’m amazing.
“Amazing,” I repeat. “I don’t know about—”
“No, really,” Hugo insists, walking in closer, closer to me, can you believe it? “You were so inspiring. I felt inspired just watching you, Miranda.” There’s my name again on his lips. My name on the lips of Hugo. “I mean that was some kiss.”
And it’s clear from his face that what he’s saying is we’ll kiss too. Very soon. And not just kiss, fuck. He’s thinking about it right now, in fact.
I smile at Hugo. Heart brimming with light. Gone are its dead leaves and dark alleys. Full-on flowers blooming there now, rising openly toward the sun. “Wasn’t it?”
Behind me, I can hear Grace gathering her things quickly, shaking her head. Jesus Christ.
“So what did you do to whip them into shape like that? What’s your secret?” he asks me.
“Oh, a director never tells.”
Oh for god’s sake, I hear Grace say in her mind.
“Go on, your secret’s safe with us.” He’s trying to include Grace with a wry look, but Grace won’t be included. Her eyes are for her bag and coat alone.
“Well, if you must know, I cast a spell,” I tell him.
He laughs. I’m so hilarious. Everything I say now is too funny or too clever. Everything makes him shake his head and stare at me with shining eyes. Marveling at the fact of me. “You cast a spell. That makes sense.”
I hear a little cough. On the stage, I notice two Ashley/Michelles taking an awfully long time putting on their coats. Staring very hard at their phones, like they’re not listening to us.
“Of course,” I say, loud enough for them to hear, “it’s the play that’s casting the spell, not me.”
“Of course. Well, it’s got a hold on me too, I have to say,” he says, looking right at me.
“Quite the hold.” He says this last part softly. So softly I almost feel sorry for him. Sorry for Hugo? Impossible.
Grace snorts. Actually looks over at him, this man for whom she used to have a modicum of respect. Are we kidding here?
But Hugo is wonderfully oblivious. “So,” he asks, walking even closer to me now, lowering his voice. He’s about to put a hand on my shoulder, but he stops himself. “We still on for Thursday night?”
Thursday night. Our first date. He wanted to go out weeks ago. I’ve been the one putting him off, can you believe it? I’ve just been so wrapped up in the play. That time of year. Madness, am I right?
“Yes, of course, Thursday,” I say to Hugo. “To talk about the play,” I add, looking from him to Grace. Giving him the hint.
“Right, of course, yes. The play. I’m really looking forward to hearing your vision, Miranda.”
I can feel Grace bristling beside me. She’s got her tote bag under her arm now, but she’s not leaving. Clearly waiting to talk to me. Alone, please, Miranda.
But Hugo’s still standing there in front of me like he’s frozen, enchanted.
“See you then,” I tell him like I’m giving him his exit cue.
He leans forward, seemingly about to kiss me, is he about to kiss me? I glance at the stage, the Ashley/Michelles still there, staring at us over their phones. Grace on the other side of us, watching too, her frown gathering force.
“See you then,” he says, pulling back.
And then he walks away from me backward, actually walks backward. Until he hits his back against the double doors of the theater. We both laugh. It’s awkward, but it’s also so—