Free Candidate: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens Page A

smiled and in spite of herself said, “Really? Did she see the warning signs?”
    “Why, Kate?” He faked a gasp and placed a hand to his chest. “What signs are you referring to?”
    Kate shook her head and ignored the question.

Chapter Nine
    K ate stepped out into the courtyard of the Pasadena Playhouse, leaving Grady chatting with his family. When he had asked her to attend the premiere of his friend Peter’s new play, she knew it wasn’t necessary. Mark said she didn’t need to attend. Nothing was going to happen at a play premiere with Grady’s family and friends. In fact, if Kate went, she would be the only member of Bracknell and Stevens in attendance. She didn’t need to be there, but he had asked, said he wanted her there, that they would have a great time. She knew it wasn’t necessary, practical, and yet she had agreed anyway. What had she been thinking? Kate stood in the night air in a gorgeous blush-bead trimmed dress she really couldn’t afford, but bought anyway a few days ago on her way home from work after Grady’s invitation. If she were honest with herself, she had been excited, but now she was just confused.
    It was intermission and she needed some air. The playhouse glowed through the evening darkness. Kate wrapped her arms around her bare shoulders and looked up at the clear sky. So many stars. She took a deep breath and allowed herself to relax. Her face hurt from smiling. She moved through the tiled arched walkway, past a couple taking pictures. She didn’t want to check her phone, didn’t want to work. That was a first. Grady and his family, his friends, the bantering and teasing. What was she doing all dressed up and pretending? It felt like pretending, as if she was one of them, with him. Kate leaned against the stucco wall, careful not to snag her dress, and she saw the lobby lights dim indicating there were ten minutes until the second act.
    “Kate?” Grady called out into the courtyard, since he couldn’t see her in the walkway. She watched as he put his hands in his pockets, and then her heart tripped as he too looked up at the sky, enamored by the stars. Who was Grady Malendar? Why couldn’t he just be the idiotic rich snob she assumed him to be?
    “Right here,” she called to him. He turned toward her as she emerged from the shadows.
    “Everything all right?”
    “Yes, everything is fine. Incredible sky, I just needed some air,” she answered.
    “It’s kind of cold out here, do you want my—”
    “No!” Kate snapped, and Grady froze midway through taking off his jacket. “I’m sorry.”
    Kate tried to soften her response. “No thank you. Please do not give me your jacket. I’m fine and besides, it’s time to go in.”
    Grady looked a little surprised and shrugged back into his dark navy blazer.
    “I’m . . . I guess I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to offend you—”
    “It’s fine. It was nice. I’m just not sure why I need to be here, so I’m a little out of sorts, that’s all. Thank you. It was nice.”
    Grady smiled and tried to defuse the stifling awkwardness. “Yeah, well that’s me . . . nice. Shall we?” He gestured toward the door.
    Kate took a deep breath. “Yes, definitely. Sure.” She walked in ahead of him. As they were walking to their seats, Grady spoke into her back. She could smell him. When had she started smelling him?
    “Listen,” he said quietly, “if you want to cut out now, you can. I promise to behave. I mean, you didn’t have to come if you didn’t want to. I get that this is above and beyond and you probably have other plans.” When they arrived at their row, Kate turned to face him.
    “It’s not that I don’t want to be here. The play is great and your family, friends, they are all lovely.”
    “Then what’s the problem?”
    They both sat in their seats, shoulder to shoulder. The lights began to dim and Grady turned to look at her. She could feel his breath on her skin, his leg touching hers, and she felt like