don’t you?” He strolls the rest of the way into the room at a leisurely pace, belying the tick in his jaw, and stops just in front of us. “Alessandra just gave a kickass performance on opening night of a workshop directed by a famous director. Local reporters want to interview her. It’s part of the business.” He grins. “Or maybe you’re too threatened to let her out of your sight.”
Austin’s fingers dig into my sides. I rub my temple, willing the building headache away, and eye the clock. It’s eleven twenty. Only forty minutes until my showdown with Reyna—I barely have enough time to get across town as it is. What will she do if I never show up? Will I just disappear wherever I am, before ever having a chance to state my case?
I pry Austin’s hands loose and turn to face him. “Give me a minute.” Before he can argue, as he looks like he wants to do, I press a soft kiss on his lips and step away. “Reid, can I talk to you in private?”
With a smug look, Reid says, “Lead the way, pretty lady,” and follows me to the far corner of the room.
Once we are away from the others, his easy charm and smile come back. He grabs my hand and says, “I meant what I said—you really were amazing out there tonight.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, grateful for the compliment. “You were, too.”
And he was. Marilyn couldn’t have found a better Romeo in all of Hollywood. Even Austin, who performed wonderfully on the day of my audition, does not have the polish Reid has, gained from years of practice.
As I look up at Reid, reliving our scene together and the way he delivered his lines in his
The two gentlemen share the same good humor and charisma, the effortless way they carry themselves. Once, Reid was the exact sort of man I thought I wanted. Now I know what it is that I
A man like Austin.
Reid’s childlike grin fades as he watches me closely. He glances at Austin, standing where I left him by the sofa practically vibrating with restraint, and back at me. “So he does it for you, huh?”
I smile and say, “Yeah. He does it for me.”
He sighs and then in the smoother, refined voice he uses on stage says, “’Tis a far, far better thing I do then I have ever done.”
Confused, I wrinkle my brow, and Reid shakes his head. “Never mind. Go be with your man. I don’t know what’s going on but obviously, something important is going down. You go take care of whatever it is, and I’ll head back to the room and play up my egocentric reputation. I’m sure I can find some excuse to keep their attention.” He grins. “Maybe start a few rumors about my indie film coming up.”
Relieved, I throw my arms around him for a quick hug, glancing again at the clock over the door.
“No problem,” he whispers, squeezing me tight. He exhales and slowly steps back. “You better go.” He looks over my shoulder toward my friends. “Looks like your crew’s getting restless. And besides, I have reporters to distract.”
And with that, Reid leaves the room.
I’m sorry to see him go. He has been a good friend. But before he has even disappeared through the doorway, Austin’s arms are back around me. He touches his forehead to mine. “Can I drive you there and just not go in?”
I curl my palm around his cheek. “I’d never be able to get out of the truck.”
“Then at least take our driver,” Cat says, joining us at the doorway. “If you insist on doing this by yourself —and don’t get me wrong, I hate it, but I guess I get it—then I’ll go home with Lucas.” Her chin wobbles ever so slightly, so faint that anyone else would probably miss it. But not me. “Time’s already getting short, and you don’t want to waste any of it hailing a cab.”
Then my cousin sniffs, her eyes fill with actual tears, and I’m out of Austin’s arms and into hers, breathing in the familiar scent of her rose-scented shampoo.
Her shoulders tremble. “It’s not fair,” she says, voice breaking. “I can’t say good-bye to you again.” She steps back to look at me. “I already talked to Dad and Jenna. Thanks to the acting genes Mama Dearest passed on, I concocted an amazing story explaining why you were hanging around for the next two and a half years. They already agreed, and Jenna’s taking you shopping for your new bedroom suite, so you better come back to us.” She gives me a watery grin. “Trust me; you don’t wanna go messing with that woman and her plans.”
I laugh, then cover my mouth as it turns into a sob. “I’ll do my best, believe me.”
Lucas slides his arm around Cat’s shoulders. “Take care of my cousin,” I tell him. “You know, just in case.” I blink away tears and attempt a smile. “She wants everyone to believe she is tough, but underneath her warrior exterior, my cousin is all heart.”
“I know,” Lucas says. “And I will. But you’ll be here to remind me of that.”
I only wish the conviction of his words matched the pitch of his voice. “I hope so.” He nods and takes Cat’s hand, stepping to the back of the room and giving Austin and me our last few minutes of privacy.
Austin puts a finger under my chin. “Don’t you dare give me one of your Wizard of Oz–like speeches. Our American government project’s due next week, so you have to come back.” He grasps my shoulders in his hands, as if he can convey his determination and conviction with his grip. “If you don’t, I’m just gonna hunt this gypsy down and make her bring me to you. Because this,” he says, pointing a finger between us, “isn’t over. Believe that.”
Tears course down my cheeks, but I nod, anyway, wanting to believe it so badly. Then I press my lips to his, perhaps for the final time, and hold on tight.
Chapter Twenty-nine
The portal is just as I remember, sitting in the exact spot I suspected in front of the famous Chinese theater. On the crowded sidewalk in front of it, people brush past the seemingly innocent green tent without a second glance. No raised brows, no disbelieving glances, not even a questioning look as they dash off to wherever it is people choose to go at such a late hour. Either they are unaware of the immense power and significance that is right in their midst, or Reyna has cast some type of spell, cloaking it from prying eyes.
But I see it.
A side flap shifts in the breeze stirring from the cars on the road behind me. It seems to be calling to me, beckoning me closer, as much as Reyna’s crooked finger did that day in my courtyard. And just like then, I am alone, with hope in my heart for my future, and a healthy dose of apprehension for what lies ahead.
I pull out my cell phone and watch the time switch over to midnight.
Straightening my shoulders, I run my palms along my Juliet costume. I had no time to change before leaving, having spent so much of it waiting in the wings and then not wanting to waste a second on my appearance once Austin, Cat, and Lucas joined me in the dressing room. But now that I think of it, my apparel is rather fitting. I am dressed similarly to the way I was when I first entered this space, only my costume today is the twenty-first-century version. Embellished and reinforced, made stronger, by all the conveniences of the modern era.
Much like me.
An impatient horn blares behind me, and I jump into action. As I cross the distance to the portal, walking over stars carved into the ground, I’m reminded of the words I uttered to Reyna just before sitting at her table, taking a chance on an adventure. I told her I was no longer the timid girl she once knew, and even though my words were admittedly nothing but false bravado, now they hold true. I am not without fear, but courage is taking action despite the fear. Knowing what you want, what you are meant to do, and proceeding despite any knots in your stomach or rocks stuck in your throat. It is walking boldly into the unknown with your chin held high…even if it quivers.
