Chapter l419

Chapter 0419

With Julian on my arm, we returned to the ballroom. Nicholas noticed immediately, gaze

this time. zeroing in on where Julian and my arms were interlocked. I didn’t move away After all, Bridget had her arm, at that very moment, wrapped around one of Nicholas’s too. 3

On stage, Tiffany and Jessica are performing a scene. From what I can tell, they are playing Bridget’s disapproving sisters. Since I hadn’t read that far, I could only guesstimate based on one–half of the current conversation.

I could only hear one half.

Tiffany was speaking too loudly, like she was talking to someone on the other side of the room. Jessica, meanwhile, was speaking too softly, barely a whisper. They would both wear microphones for the performance, but I suspected even then, Jessica’s voice would go

unheard.

At the base of the stage, Bridget releases Nicholas’s arm to rub at her temples. “No, girls. We’ve talked about this. Tiffany, you don’t need to project your voice so much. But Jessica, I need you not to whisper.”

Beside her, Nathan nodded along. He looked tired too. This had clearly been going on for a

while.

“I thought I was being quieter,” Tiffany said, and the people down the street might have been able to hear her.

Nicholas whispered something to Bridget and she heaved a great sigh.

“Everyone, let’s take a small break for water and snacks,” Bridget announced. “Then we’ll try again.”

Odd, how Nathan continued to take orders from Bridget and not the other way around. At this point, maybe I should have been used to it. It seemed strange no matter how many times I witnessed it.

“I’m going to get a drink,” Julian said. “Do you want anything?”

“I’m not sure yet.” Honestly, my stomach felt kind of queasy. I wasn’t sure I could even keep water down.

Julian shrugged, released my arm, and said, “Just come over if you change your mind.‘

“I will.”

1/2

+15 BÔNUS

I watched Julian walking away, not noticing until it was far too late to make a casual getaway that Bridget was approaching me.

“Piper! How are you feeling now? Better, I trust?” she asked, her friendly disposition firmly in place. I couldn’t help but wonder if her approach had anything to do with Julian leaving, but then decided I was overthinking it. Surely she wouldn’t go out of her way to avoid Julian when she was still flirting with him.

“Better,” I said. “I’ll have your handkerchief cleaned before I return it. Thank you for lending it to me.” (1)

Bridget smiled. “I’m glad I could help.” She clapped her hands together. “Listen, I have something to ask you. I was looking through the script, and I was thinking about your charming little girl Elva. I think I have a perfect part for her. Do you think she would want to take part in the play?”

To say that Elva would want to participate in the play was an understatement. She would be absolutely overjoyed. But I still hesitated to answer, remembering Elva’s talk with Nicholas, about how Elva can trust Bridget implicitly. I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of the two being together.

“Before you say anything, let me put your worries at ease,” Bridget said. “She wouldn’t need to come to every rehearsal. The part I have in mind is small with no lines. She would simply walk across the stage and drop a few flowers. Our own little flower girl. Wouldn’t that be so sweet?”

It would be sweet. But I was still alarmed this idea was coming from Bridget.

Why was she being so thoughtful? What was she

up

to?

Or was I the one at fault here, being so suspicious of someone who just wanted to kindly make sure a small child felt included?

I felt like a right asshole after that.

“She would love it,” I said with honesty. “I’ll speak to her about it.‘

“”