Page 99 of Sweet T
“Sweetie—” Evan reached for Tucker’s hand on the table, “—like Shelly, Ben’s not going to be there forever. But Project Haven can help you in that respect, too. Some of these folks will need part-time jobs to get on their feet.”
“See? That’s what I’m talking about,” Titus said. “Evan, you’re already thinking ahead of all of us. I know your passion is acting. But we have a theatre here. Sebastian’s not getting any younger. You could be his protégé and work for me–the City of Spoon, that is.”
Evan heaved a vast sigh, overwhelmed with possibilities–a job, a home, Tucker, and even the stage–all of which were detours from his original goal of Atlanta and a potential acting career. His head was spinning.
Everyone at the table was awaiting his answer, except for Cassie. She stood, gathering their plates and spoke, “Alright, everyone. That’s enough. You’ve given Evan a shitload to consider when his thoughts should be focused on the show tonight. As his fellow castmate, I declare this meeting adjourned.”
* * *
In the parking lot, Titus apologized to Evan. “I’m sorry. I know you have a lot on your plate. But I’m not offering anything to Ben before I get a definite no from you. Comprende?”
Evan nodded.
“How many folks you got in the house tonight?”
“Twenty or thirty. Sebastian will have a final count this afternoon. It’ll be enough to give us feedback before opening tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there,” Tucker said proudly.
“Well, I gotta go.” Titus began walking toward the square. “I have a meeting with Mason Barksdale in an hour and I need to get my laps in.”
“Mason? What’s he want?”
“Just the usual Spoon-Morehead planning committee stuff. Wants to keep it short, though. Pru’s arriving this afternoon. She and Emmett are coming to the wedding. Break a leg tonight, Evan. You hear?”
“Thanks, Titus.”
Tucker got in his truck and cranked it, trying his best not to be shaken by Titus’s revelation. Evan saw right through it.
“So your schoolboy crush is coming to the wedding? Should I be worried?”
Tucker kept the truck in park, letting the engine run and waiting for the air conditioning to cool. “Nope. Not at all if you’re there.”
“You know I will be.”
Tucker nodded. “How about you? You OK?”
“Yeah. Your father is trying his best to keep me here, you know?”
“I do. He’s a force... very persuasive, and used to getting what he wants. Don’t think that Emmett comment was accidental. That’s just another card he’s playing to push us closer together.”
“It’s working.”
“I’m glad. I’m also kinda looking forward to Emmett seeing you. Seeing how happy you make me.”
“We’ll play that up then... immensely.”
“Daddy is a good guy deep down, though. You see that, right?”
“I do. His heart is every bit as big as his ego.”
They kissed. Tucker put the truck in gear.
“So, what do you want to do now? Or should I say, what do you need to do now... to help you for tonight?”
Evan thought about it. “I think I should lie down for a while.”
“With or without me?”