answer, so I called again. This time she picked up on the third ring.
“Damon,” she said, sounding breathless. “I’m just leaving now, but I can’t find you.”
Lifting a hand, I scratched at my chin and answered. “Yeah, I’m a bloody space cadet. I’ve already left. I forgot — ”
“No, no, don’t worry. It’s fine.” She cut me off, sounding relieved, if I was being honest. “We can do lunch some other time. Iggy’s offered to drive me home and I’m wrecked, so I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
I half-smiled. “This a brush-off?”
“No, of course not,” she hurried to answer. She sounded like she was afraid she’d hurt my feelings. “I just…I guess I’m just trying to delay the inevitable.”
“You really know how to make a bloke feel wanted,” I joked, and I could imagine her fluster on the other end of the line.
“Oh, God, I’m saying all the wrong things today. It’s Blake. I’m certain of it. The moment he showed his face this morning, my wiring got scrambled.”
I tried to ease her embarrassment as I assured her gently, “Hey, you can handle Blake, Rose.”
“Yeah, well,” she sighed. “Tell that to the turmoil in my tummy. The idea of working with him on this show makes me want to vomit.”
Frowning, I shifted the phone into my other hand and said, “I don’t want you to feel cornered. I can talk to Jacob, ask that he cast someone else.”
“You’d do that for me?” she whispered, taken aback.
“Aye. Remember the first day I got here and you helped me even though I was a rude old git?”
“Yes.” She was still whispering.
“Well, I don’t forget kindnesses like that, petal. You’ve got a friend in me whenever you need one.”
A pregnant silence fell between us, and I could almost hear her thoughts churning.
“Don’t talk to Jacob, just…if I ever need a friend during rehearsals, be there. You’re surprisingly good at bolstering my confidence, Damon Atwood.”
The tone of her voice told me she was smiling, and my chest puffed up with pride that I’d made her feel better.
“I’m here whenever you need me,” I promised.
“Thank you,” she replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She was about to hang up when I said, “Wait.”
“Yes?”
I coughed, uncertainty making me hesitate. “Come over for a brew later.”
Her voice showed I’d taken her by surprise. “Oh, um, over to your place?”
“Aye.”
“Ah, okay, sure. I’ll text and let you know when I can make it.”
“’Bye, Rose.”
“Goodbye, Damon.”
She ended the call, and I slid my phone back in my pocket. Nearby movement caught my attention, and I looked across the park to see the same gaggle of photographers from the other night, the ones who’d been snapping shots of me at the barber’s. I was seeing them around more and more, and it was beginning to get on my goat.
I didn’t want this kind of attention.
Getting up, I shoved my hands in my coat pockets and left the park. I ate a quiet lunch in a nearby café before returning to the studio for the afternoon session. The second I walked inside Alicia was there, sliding her arm through mine and leading me into one of the practice rooms. It was starting to become clear that she had an interest in me that wasn’t entirely platonic. And truthfully, I should have been over the moon, because she was beautiful, but she just wasn’t Rose. She didn’t calm me, nor did she make me feel like I could trust her unconditionally.
I hadn’t lied on Friday when I’d told Rose she was the only person I really wanted to spend time with. I was already wishing away the next few hours so I could finally go home and see her.
“I have this piano at the apartment I’m renting, but the thing is huge,” said Alicia, her arm still linked with mine. “I was wondering if you could come over later and help me move it. You’ve got big arms — I bet you’re great at moving furniture around.”
“Afraid I’ve got plans,” I told her, and noticed Blake standing with Jacob and Eddie. His eyes were on me. He gestured to Alicia and then mouthed the word niiiccce, like we were pals and he was complimenting me on being arm in arm with a gorgeous bird. The bloke was living on another planet.
“Oh, no,” Alicia pouted, affecting a sad expression. “How about tomorrow, then?”
“I — ”
“What’s happening tomorrow?” someone interrupted. Blake had come to join us.
“Hello, Blake, isn’t it?” said Alicia in a pleasant voice. “I’m Alicia,