Page 28 of Forbidden Romeo
His gaze traveled hungrily over her face and down her body with one hand casually tucked into his pocket, the other holding out a business card toward Katherine.
My Katherine.
Seeing red, I grabbed the flask and took three large gulps before shoving it back into Ross’s chest. I extracted myself from my friends and stalked over to her.
Katherine turned and upon seeing me approaching, her beaming smile faltered. Head tilted, she gave me a strange look. "Holden!" she said, "I want you to meet someone—this is Mr. Abrams.”
“Mr. Abrams.” I spat his name. “Do you come to watch young women in college performances often?”
“Holden—” Katherine started.
“Yes, actually,” Mr. Abrams replied.
I snorted. “Well at least you’re honest about it.”
“Mr. Abrams is Professor McCay’s friend from New York. He’s a casting director.”
I blinked, waking from my fog. “You… you’re the broadway casting director?”
His smile twitched higher and he offered me the same hand that had just handed Katherine the business card. “Jonathan Abrams. You were great up there.”
“Not as great as Katherine was,” I replied, taking his hand.
“Ah, then we agree.” He paused, then added, “The chemistry you two have is something special, though.”
As my eyes swept over her, she seemed to shrink into herself, like a delicate flower bending to the weight of a sudden rainstorm. Her long lashes casting shadows over her cheeks as she peered shyly at the ground, her blonde hair falling in loose curls around her face.
And yet, even in that moment of shyness, there was a radiance about her, a quiet strength that shone through her meekness.
“Without her, I’m nothing,” I whispered.
"Jonathan!” Professor McCay glided between us, placing a kiss on the casting director’s cheek. “I’m so glad you could come!”
“I’m thrilled I didn’t miss this one,” he said. “You’ve got quite the talented group this year.”
McCay’s hand fell to my shoulder. “Indeed. Our shining star here?—”
“Your shining star was spectacular,” Mr. Abrams said, his eyes trained onto Katherine.
McCay’s gaze bounced between Katherine and Mr. Abrams, her smug smile slipping. “Yes. Ms. Harris is… mesmerizing, isn’t she? But,” she continued, “I’ve never seen a Romeo played quite as daringly as Holden’s version. He is the quintessential forbidden Romeo, isn’t he?”
Mr. Abrams glanced at me, but his attention was clearly still focused on Katherine. "Yes, the young man has talent, certainly. But Kate… she has that magical glow about her. The Broadway stage will fall in love with her."
“Broadway?” Katherine repeated in a far-off whisper.
Professor McCay's grip on my shoulder tightened, her long nails digging into my skin. "Perhaps we could convince Jonathan to stick around for a few days," she said with a tense smile. "I have several other classes, some upperclassmen, you could watch, showcase our talent who are nearly done with school and will be moving to New York soon."
"I wish I could, but I'm expected back in the city," Mr. Abrams replied politely. "However, Kate, call me. There’s an audition this December. I have a role I think you'd be perfect for."
McCay blinked rapidly, hesitating. "Oh, I don't know if she's ready for a professional role just yet..."
"With respect, Professor, I disagree. She's incredibly gifted." He turned his warm gaze to Katherine. "What do you say, my dear? Would you be interested in coming to New York to audition?"
Katherine's eyes went wide, and she glanced uncertainly at Professor McCay and myself. "I don't know, I’m only a freshman..."
“A freshman who shows more talent than most of the people in this whole school,” Mr. Abrams whispered, leaning into her.
Katherine's eyes went wide, and her cheeks flushed pink. "Oh, I… I don't know what to say." She glanced at McCay, who was staring daggers at Abrams.