Page 99 of Forbidden Romeo
“Chris is a producer,” Nate added, pointedly.
“Oh…” I said, a confused look passing over my face.
“I’ve actually secured the rights to Venus in Fur Off-Broadway,” Christopher said. “I think I may have finally found my Vanda… this new up and coming actress. Missy Howl.”
“That’s incredible,” I said, feeling a bit numb. All this small talk about theater was punching an unhealed wound. I hadn’t gotten a single offer after the Kennedy Center, even though several of my classmates had been offered summer internships already. For all the praise I’d received for my role as Juliet, it didn’t seem to be doing me much good if I can’t get other jobs.
I should be happy for my classmates. The more of us who succeed, the more we can help each other… right?
But I couldn’t help the gnawing question racing over and over in my mind: What the hell was I doing here in this program if I didn’t get a single offer after playing Juliet in front of so many casting directors?
“Who’s playing Thomas?” I asked.
Nate cleared his throat. “That would be me.”
“Oh my God. Nate!” Despite my own sadness over the lack of offers, I couldn’t help but feel elated for him. Nate was quite literally, the best of all of us. He was supportive and sweet.
I rushed around the counter and threw myself at him, hugging him tightly. “That’s amazing, congratulations! What about school? Are you leaving?”
He nodded with a quick look at Christopher. “McCay said she would hold my spot in the program for a year, so I can do the show and potentially come back?—”
“Unless he keeps getting work,” Christopher chimed in, then turned to look at me. “It’s a shame you weren’t able to accept my offer, Ms. Harris.”
“Your offer?” I said with a little self-deprecating snort. “What offer?”
Nate and Christopher exchanged odd glances. “The offer for Vanda.”
This time, I laughed outright. “I didn’t get an offer for Vanda.”
Christopher’s dark brows lifted, deepening the wrinkles in his brows even more. “Well, I sent one to your professor the other day and I received notice that you politely declined.”
“You… you sent me an offer? An offer for the lead role in an Off-Broadway show?” Even though my voice was barely above a whisper, he heard me just fine.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I clutched my stomach and the painful blow cramping my gut was so potent that I had to actually look down to make sure I wasn’t bleeding out. “I… is it… is it too late to accept? I swear, I never got that offer.”
“How is that possible?” Nate asked, turning to look at Christopher, concern pinching his features.
“It’s not a good look for your professor, I’ll tell you that much,” Christopher muttered, his jaw twitching. “Unfortunately, I’ve already sent contracts over to Missy Howl.”
Fuck me.
No wait…
Fuck Professor McCay.
Even after I gave her an incredible Kennedy Center performance, her sole goal as a professor is still to sink me. What the hell was her problem?
A featherlight touch skimmed beneath my chin as Christopher gently tilted my gaze to his. “You’re very talented, Ms. Harris. You’ll have plenty of other opportunities, I have no doubt. Keep your chin up and don’t let petty people break your spirit.”
Before I could answer, a loud noise came from the back of the cafe and I jumped, spinning toward it.
My world collapsed at the sight in front of me.
It was Holden—my Holden—making out with Addison.
Beside me, I heard Nate’s sharp intake of air, then distantly, he said, “Kate, don’t?—”