Taking Chances: A Sweet Contemporary Romance (Dreams)

by Kamery Solomon

  “Oh,” I said, relaxing some. “No thank you, actually.”

  “Your loss,” he said with a warm smile. “The café on the corner has the second best joe in the city.”

  “Maybe after I’m done,” I said with my own smile.

  “Break a leg,” he said as he stepped around me and headed down the stairs.

  “Evan?” a female voice snapped from inside the room.

  I turned just in time to see one of the most beautiful women I’d ever laid eyes on. Her blonde hair was plied elegantly on her head, a tight, black dress hugging her paper thin, pale form. I was pretty sure if she turned sideways I wouldn’t even be able to see her any more. Suddenly, I noticed her matching, thigh high boots were tapping on the floor impatiently as she glared at me.

  “I’m sorry,” I stumbled, shaking my head. “I didn’t hear what you said.”

  “And you are?” she asked impatiently.

  “Mara,” I said holding my hand out. “I’m here to audition for the show.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said without moving. “How old are you?”

  “Twenty t—”

  “You’re too young. Thanks for coming.” She turned and went back into the room, shutting the door in my face.

  I stood there for a moment, shocked into a silent and unmoving state. I’d never been treated so rudely by someone at an audition before.

  Part of me wanted to throw the door open again and demand to be seen or at least receive an apology. My work ethic told me to not even dare, though. There was no telling who the woman knew and could tell that I’d acted in such a manner. Everything in the performing world was about who you knew and first impression were always the most remembered, even if they weren’t true to who you really were.

  Slowly, I turned and walked down the stairs, disappointed at being treated so harshly and having wasted what could have been a successful audition time for another show.

  As I exited the building and took in fresh air, I caught sight of Evan heading back from his errand run. Again, I wondered how many of Lizzy’s friends had fallen for him over the years. He was the only guy I’d ever seen who could wear a simple black shirt and jeans and could still make every woman on the street turn and watch him walk away.

  “Done so soon?” he asked as he got closer and recognized me once again.

  “I guess so,” I said with a frown.

  “Oh no,” he continued, his lips turning down as well. “Let me guess. Steph took one look at you and told you to scram.”

  “Yes,” I said with cautious surprise. “How did you know?”

  “You’re the third one this morning,” he groaned with an apologetic smile. “We were fighting about the first two right before you showed up. Knowing Steph, she probably sent you away just to spite me. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s no big deal,” I said with a shrug, not wanting to make him feel bad.

  “Sure it is,” he laughed. “I know you actresses. You could have been somewhere that was more productive for you. I can see you thinking that right now.”

  “It’s fine,” I said, embarrassed.

  “Wait here for a minute,” he stated, nodding to the doorway next to us. “I’ll drop these off and then come back and get you some. As an apology.”

  “You don’t have to, really,” I protested.

  “I insist.” He waited for me to nod in agreement before sliding past me and heading to his original destination. “Great! I’ll only be a few minutes.”

  He quickly disappeared into the building, his fun personality leaving a smile on my face. True to his word, he was back by my side within what felt like seconds. We walked the short distance to the coffee shop and sat down at a small, corner table with our cups.

  “So, Mara,” Evan said with a grin. “What do you think of my Lizzy? Has she driven you insane, yet?”

  “Not at all,” I laughed. “I like her very much. She’s like the sister I never had.”

  “Great, now I have two sisters in the city to take care of,” he laughed. “I hope you have more money sense than she does.”

  “She doesn’t seem that bad,” I giggled defensively.

  “Whatever. Lizzy would spend every cent she had on a run down, rat infested, tiny restaurant as long as it meant she got to sell her kitchen concoctions to the public.”

  “So you mean your audition venue,” I said with a grin, watching him choke on the sip of coffee he’d just swigged.

  “I didn’t pick that place,” he laughed, wiping his face with a napkin. “That was all Steph. I kept telling her that she needed somewhere nicer, or everyone would think she was a creeper, but she didn’t want to spend any more money on it. That’s part of why we were fighting about her sending people away without seeing their audition. I can’t imagine that very many people will come inside once they see the place. I mean, a job is a job, but you can definitely tell what ones will hurt your resume more than help.”

  “Are you only helping because she’s your friend then?” I asked innocently.

  “Something like that,” he said, staring at the table for a moment. “I helped set up the call, so it would look professional and draw more people in. That’s about all she’s let me do.” His eyes came back to mine and he smiled again. “If she wants to sabotage herself, then I guess that’s her deal.”

  “Oh my gosh,” I said, the situation finally dawning on me. “You guys are dating!”

  “No,” he rushed, an embarrassed smile gracing his face. “Not any more, at least.”

  “You’re in on some of the writing, right?”

  “I did help a little, yeah.”

  “That makes more sense,” I mused, sitting back and sipping my coffee.

  “The idea was mine. She did all the writing, though. I’m not good at stuff like that. I work better with my hands.”

  “I’m sure that’s why she liked you,” I teased, blushing at my own boldness.

  “A true sister indeed,” he laughed. “You and Lizzy will be very happy together, I’m sure.”

  “Why thank you,” I said in mock haughtiness as my phone went off. “Excuse me,” I laughed, pulling it from my pocket and smiling when I saw the picture of the person calling.

  “Hey, Chris,” I said excitedly.

  “You sound beautiful this morning,” he said smoothly.

  “Whatever,” I blushed.

  “So what are you doing tonight?”

  “Two dates, two days in a row? Are you sure I like you that much?”

  Evan rolled his eyes and took another sip of his coffee, looking around the room while he waited for me to finish.

  “I’m a man who knows what he wants,” Chris laughed. “I had a great time last night.”

  “I did too,” I said softly, embarrassed that Evan was getting to hear our conversation, even if it was just my side.

  “So, what do you think? Do you like me enough to go out two nights in a row?”

  “Sure,” I giggled.

  “Great.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “What time works for you?”

  “I’ll call you after I finish my audition. Is that okay?”

  “Of course.”

  “All right, I’ll talk to you then.”

  “Was that The Boy Toy?” Evan drawled out as I hung up and put my phone away.

  “The what?” I laughed.

  “That’s what Lizzy called him last night. The Boy Toy. She didn’t tell you?”

  “We’ve lived together for less than twenty four hours,” I laughed. “Several of which I spent with Chris, so no, she didn’t tell me.” I blushed, thinking about the kiss I’d experienced the night before.

  “Well, act surprised when she does, or I’ll be in trouble,” he chortled.

  “Will do,” I said with a smile. “I’m sorry to run off, but I want to get to my next audition. Thank you for the coffee.”

  “Not a problem for my new sister.”

  “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

  �
�Never. Lizzy will be thrilled that you called her that. She always wanted a sister. You’re going to end up stuck with her.”

  “I think I could handle that,” I laughed.

  “I’ll see you around, Mara,” he said, rising from his seat as well.

  “Have fun with Steph,” I teased.

  “Ha ha,” he said sarcastically. “Have fun on your date.”

  You can’t know for sure that they didn’t like you.

  The subway car rocked back and forth as we raced through the tunnels under the city. I sat in a corner seat, headphones in as I ignored everyone around me.

  My second audition of the day didn’t feel like it’d gone much better than the first.

  At least you were seen, I comforted myself. Why do you feel like they didn’t want you there?

  Maybe it was because I hadn’t done my absolute best. Could it have been because I wasn’t the prettiest, or skinniest, girl in the room? There was a possibility I felt bad because the people I sang for hadn’t even looked at me.

  You need to stay positive. The parts will come as long as you work hard and don’t give up. Every actor knows that auditions are part of the job. They’ll do more of them than anything else. It’s ridiculous to think you’ll be cast in every show you try out for. This isn’t small town community theatre—this is the big leagues.

  Before I’d moved to the city, I’d had a heart to heart with myself about what could happen. My heart sank whenever I thought about it. I imagined myself working at Olive Garden forever, in perpetual jealousy of everyone who got to work on Broadway.

  It’s better to stay positive, I reaffirmed.

  The train stopped at my station and I trudged off, not really feeling like going on the date I’d agreed on. I knew I should have said no, especially after my talk with myself about work coming first. It seemed cruel to call and cancel now, though, after he’d been waiting all day for me. Running him off wasn’t exactly what I wanted either.

  A sigh of both conflict over Chris and disappointment in my audition escaped me as I walked down the sidewalk, lost in my own world. I would go on the date tonight, but, no matter what, I would say no to another one happening so soon.

  Chapter Eight

  A moan gurgled from my throat as Lizzy and I walked through the door, unceremoniously dropping our bags to the floor and throwing ourselves across the room and onto the couch.

  “I. Hate. My. Life,” Lizzy groaned, kicking her shoes off and wiggling her toes.

  “It’s like everything else in the city closed down and our Olive Garden was the only thing left,” I said, eyes wide and unblinking as I stared at the powered down television. I didn’t even know if I had the strength to move any more, now that I’d sat down.

  “I’ve never seen it that busy,” Lizzy said. “We’re going to have to place an emergency order for new supplies in order to replace everything.”

  “So many people,” I muttered, finally glorying in the blindness I experienced as my eyelids relaxed and closed.

  “I don’t even want to know what the evening shift is dealing with now,” she said, shifting around until she became comfortable. “Thank heavens we had the afternoon shift.”

  “I still feel like I could go to sleep now and not wake up for a week.” My muscles relaxed and I sank a little further into the couch, letting its soft embrace wrap around me.

  “I wish we could,” Lizzy said. “Evan asked if he could come hang out tonight.”

  “Oh.”

  “Is that okay?”

  “Totally,” I laughed, opening my eyes and rolling my head to the side to look at her. “It just means I have to put off getting into my comfy sweat pants and holey shirt.”

  “It’s only Evan,” she laughed. “It’s not like anything is going on between you two.”

  “True,” I said with a smile. “I haven’t seen him since that audition last week.”

  “Right, the coffee run.”

  “That was interrupted by Chris,” I laughed.

  “Speaking of relationships, how are things with The Boy Toy?”

  “Don’t call him that!” I giggled. “They’re going really great.”

  “Oh come on. You have to give me more than that,” she teased, pulling her legs up onto the couch and laying them across my lap. “I wouldn’t even hardly see you if it weren’t for work. You are always out with him!”

  “I’ve gone out with him one more time since then. I’ve been at a lot of auditions, too,” I chortled defensively.

  “Those have mostly been during the day, though. I’m talking about at night. You two are always together. I’m starting to worry that you make it back here every time.”

  “One night hardly constitutes always together and what do you mean by that?” I snickered.

  “Oh, come on! You spend all that time with him and you’ve never . . . You know. Spent the night?”

  “Lizzy Robbins, are you asking about my sex life?” I asked in mock horror.

  “. . .Yes?”

  I burst out into heavy laughter, surprised at her boldness.

  “What?” she said defensively. “I’m not getting any. I’m about to go dig up my grandmother’s romance novels. It would be a lot easier if you just gave me some deets.”

  “Nothing’s happened,” I said after I’d gotten my chortling under control.

  “At all?”

  “I’ve come home every night, haven’t I?”

  “Well, that’s no fun!” she huffed in disappointment. “I thought for sure The Boy Toy was a stud in the bedroom.”

  “Oh my gosh, Lizzy,” I said, another fit of tear inducing laughter starting. “Stop. Please!”

  “Well, look at him!” She waved her hands in front of us at an imaginary figure of Chris. “He’s totally ripped, has gorgeous eyes, is exactly the right height, and the voice that comes out of those perfectly shaped lips is like melted chocolate flowing into a never ending river of peanut butter! All he has to do is let a woman get a sniff of his cologne and she’ll be passed out on the street!”

  “Lizzy,” I gasped, doubled over.

  “I don’t know how you do it, Mara,” she continued without missing a beat. “I would have locked him in a bedroom and had my way with him weeks ago. You’ve made it to the third date and still managed to keep your panties on.”

  “And that sounds like my cue to turn around, leave, and act like I was never here.”

  We both looked to the front door and the room fell silent for a moment as we surveyed Evan. His hand was still on the doorknob, a bag from the grocery store clutched tightly in the other. He was wearing all black and a matching leather jacket clung to his torso.

  “Evan,” I said, clearing my throat.

  It was no use, though. As soon as his name left my lips, Lizzy and I burst into uncontrollable laughter again.

  “I’m going to regret staying, aren’t I?” he asked, crossing the threshold and closing the door behind him.

  We couldn’t answer, and he seemed to take that as a confirmation.

  “Well, I brought ice cream. It’s peanut butter cup, so you better help me eat it. If not, I’ll take it back to my place and . . . It’s not very manly to stay home and eat a carton of ice cream by yourself. So eat up.”

  “What’s wrong?” Lizzy asked, wiping her eyes.

  “Nothing really,” he shrugged. “I just felt like ice cream.”

  “Why not take it home and eat it slowly?” I asked, regaining control as well.

  “I’m a fat kid at heart,” he laughed, giving me a wink as he pulled a couple of bowls out of the cupboard.

  “Yeah, then he discovered girls and spent every waking minute with them, or at the gym,” Lizzy teased, joining him in the kitchen.

  “What can I say? The heart wants what it wants,” he said in a mocking tone while shrugging.

  “Until you met Steph,” Lizzy said coolly. “Then your heart cut its own wrists and jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge just to get away from her.”

&n
bsp; “Lizzy,” he said in a soft warning tone.

  “So do you guys want to watch a movie?” I butted in, sensing that they were treading on thin ice.

  “Do you have anything that’s not a musical?” he said as he looked over at me again, eyes sparkling. “I went through your movie drawer the last time I was here.”

  “Then you should already know the answer,” I ribbed back.

  “All right. What do you girls want from the video store then?”

  “Cut it out,” Lizzy said, slapping his arm.

  She grabbed her bowl and mine and sat back down, patting the spot next to her on the couch as she placed a spoonful of the cold deliciousness in her mouth.

  “I would have thought you loved musicals,” I said, taking my dish and joining her. “Since it’s your job to work with them.”

  “I was teasing,” Evan said with a smile, joining us in the living room and sitting on the other side of me. “It’s this thing that brother’s do to their sisters.”

  “Ugh. Get out now, while you still can, Mara,” Lizzy said, rolling her eyes. “I’ve spent my whole life as the victim of his brotherly teasing and trust me—that is not something you want to be a part of!”

  “It’s not that bad,” he said with an over dramatic eye roll. “Liz just made it that easy to laugh at her.”

  “It’s fine, really.” I shrugged, enjoying their company and the look into their relationship. I didn’t have any siblings. I’d never really been close enough with anyone to feel like an adopted sister.

  “So, I assume we were talking about The Boy Toy when I showed up?” Evan said after swallowing his first bite.

  Lizzy’s eyes bugged out of her head as she choked on her dessert.

  “You actually want me to keep talking about a boy in front of you?!”

  Blush shot across my face as Evan nodded, a mischievous grin on his lips.

  “I have to keep an eye out for my . . . sister. Don’t I?”

  “Mara’s too chicken to do anything,” Lizzy laughed, making a silly face at me.

  “I am not,” I said, my face getting even redder.

  A brief, odd look crossed Evan’s face as he looked at me, but it was gone before I could decipher the meaning behind it.