Free Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden Page A

caught me watching her and shot me a quick wink before turning back to a young man with a camera. I could learn a lot from her, I realized, and decided to make an effort to pay attention in the future. As if I needed an excuse.
    Ten minutes later when the final playbill was signed, Adrienne
    waved good-bye to everyone and joined me.
    “So now who’s the superstar?” Adrienne said as she approached. “That was the craziest feeling, to have people want my signature
    on something.” I shook my head. “I’m nobody.”
    “No, you’re definitely somebody.” She wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked. “And you better get used to it. This is just the beginning.”
    “I can’t imagine this being my everyday life, but I’ll take it.”
    It was nearing midnight and I was beyond hungry. We walked together, following the directions Kyle had given me to the restaurant.
    It was a few blocks away, giving us a chance to enjoy a few minutes alone before joining the others for dinner. As we walked in silence, I took in the night air and the newness of what was going on between us. I held her hand loosely, but as we approached the restaurant, she made a point of letting go.
    “I think it might be a good idea to keep things between us. Is that okay?”
    “That’s okay with me. Whatever you need.”
    She blinked and smiled. “You’re kind of great, you know that?”
    “I didn’t, but a fifteen-year-old girl back there said I was, so it
    must be true.”
    She laughed and nudged my shoulder with hers playfully. “Shall we?”
    “We shall.”
    We walked into the restaurant and found our group. In the middle of the dining room were two long tables decorated with sombreros and confetti. Pitchers of margaritas lined the tables and the company applauded when they saw us approach. Adrienne made a big presentational gesture toward me as I followed her into the room. “And here’s our second guest of honor,” Ben called out. “Ladies
    and gentleman, joining our cast tonight, the lovely Jenna McGovern. Congratulations on a great show, kid! We’ve decided to keep you.”
    I laughed and gave him a big bear hug, before being ushered to my pre-assigned seat in the middle of the group next to Lanie. I kissed her cheek as I sat and noticed Adrienne sit across the table and a few seats down.
    Lanie and I hadn’t had a chance to talk after the show, but I could tell she was in great spirits. She picked up her glass and handed me mine. Holding hers high in the air, she offered a private toast. “To a million more shows like that one, and to my new friend.”
    “And to mine.” I clinked my glass to hers.
    After I was able to get a few bites of food down, I felt energy start to return to my body. I made a mental note to always eat at least a little bit before a show.
    I scanned the table and was happy to see everyone was having a good time, laughing, and telling jokes. The margaritas certainly
    helped. Adrienne was sipping a Diet Coke and in the midst of a playful argument with Craig and Sienna, laughing quite a bit. It was childish and unwarranted, but seeing Adrienne laugh with Sienna that way brought on a twinge of jealousy. I didn’t like that it had. But it had. I vowed then and there not to be that person. But then again, I’d also vowed to put Adrienne out of my mind and then spent the earlier part of the evening making out with her. Okay, so my track record could have been better.
    Dinner was over, it neared two a.m., and I decided it was time to call it a night. I stood and thanked everyone for the celebration and after a few hugs, Lanie and I started for the door. I hesitated, unsure whether to wait for Adrienne or not. What was the protocol here? She seemed comfortable where she was, so I waved casually to at least say good-bye. She nodded silently. She smiled and I returned it. We had all the time in the world to get to know each other better, I reminded myself.
    ❖

    Wednesday morning rolled around and I had a hard