The Critic (23 page)

“The thing is I’m happy for you. I mean, this is quite the opportunity. From what I saw, you’ll be in charge of the arts division. That’s pretty major. You should be proud and willing to go, but I don’t know that I can. You’ve always said writing is your art while acting is mine, and I’m just getting to where I need to be.”

“I understand, and I don’t think you should make a decision right away. You have an open invitation to join me.”

I took another sip of my coffee and set it down. “Thank you.” I gave his hand a quick squeeze and stood. “But I do need to get going.”

“I can drive you. Let me just change.”

I grabbed my cell from my bag. “I’ll call a cab, but thank you.” He watched me make the call, the muscles in his chest contracting. I didn’t want to hurt him or us, but I needed to breathe. When I hung up, I said, “They have a car around the corner. So I’ll see ya.”

“I’ll call you later.” He placed a chaste kiss on my lips and opened the door for me.

“Bye, Bentley.”

The cab was already waiting outside. Once we were on our way, everything started to hit me. Just thinking about Bentley leaving made me sad. I needed advice, and the only person I fully trusted was Gina. I could only imagine her reaction—she was going to flip. I called her and told her I needed to talk to her and that I’d be home in about an hour.

Before I knew it, we were sitting on my sofa, drinking wine at ten in the morning.

Gina took a sip of her wine before placing the glass on the table. “So what’s up? You look totally stressed. Oh my God! Did you see Bentley?”

“Yes, I did. To make a long story short, once again, I misinterpreted the situation, but that’s all cleared up.” A smile grew across my face.

“Ahhh . . . I know that look.” Gina snickered. “So you guys are good then?”

Now it was my turn to take a sip of my wine. “Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Gina sat back and made herself comfortable. “Okay, shoot. What’s up?”

In one quick breath, I said, “Bentley is moving to London and wants me to go with him.”

“I’m sorry. I thought you said you might be moving to London.” Sarcasm laced her words. “Is that what I heard?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m not going. He asked, but I said no.” I let out a frustrated groan. “I just don’t know, G. Part of me wants to go. I’d be with him, and the theaters on the West End are amazing. It could be a great experience, but what about everything here?”

“It would be totally cool, but I would miss you terribly. But hey, we both have passports. I can come visit.” Her voice filled with enthusiasm.

I’d forgotten all about that show we’d done in Canada a couple years earlier. At least I knew my passport was valid. I shook my head. “Bentley’s job there is only temporary. That’s why I don’t think I need to be there. I mean, we can chat online and, I don’t know, email each other, I guess.”

She shook her head. “Look, this needs to be your decision. You may not think you need to be there, but is that what you really want? Do you need to decide today?”

“No. He won’t be leaving for at least a month.” I drained my glass of wine.

“Then play it by ear. You two are just starting to really know each other. Make your decision later, and for now, have fun with each other.” Gina winked. “If you’re good, I’m going to take off. I’m meeting Seth for dinner, and I need time to primp.”

“I think I’m good.” I walked her to the door. “I’m happy to hear you and Seth are getting along.”

“He’s pretty great, but you come first. If you need me, I’m here. Got it?”

I saluted her. “Yes, ma’am.”

The door closed behind her, and I took the wine glasses to the kitchen. She was right—I had time, and I was going to make the most of it. If I didn’t go with him, I would do my best to make him want to hurry back to me. I decided to draw a bath, and as the water filled the tub, I thought back on my life since I’d met Bentley. Granted, we hadn’t started off in a very conventional way, but we still cared for each other. All bullshit aside, I knew that for sure. I climbed into the hot water and did my best to relax.

My next few weeks were filled with rehearsals and meeting Bentley for late dinners then dessert at his place, which included hot sex . . . my favorite. We rarely spoke about his upcoming move. We had a few weeks left before I needed to make my decision, then he’d be gone.

Gina and I were tired of traveling to and from Jersey every day, but finding an apartment to sublet in New York was difficult, not to mention pricey. Plus, who knew where I’d be living in a few weeks, so we continued commuting. Seth and Gina had been hanging out while I visited Bentley, and Seth came to the theater when he wasn’t working to make sure we got home okay.

My play was opening on Thursday, and I was a nervous wreck. I knew Bentley would be in the audience, but he’d told me his colleague was writing the review.

On opening night, I paced the halls, waiting for my cue. My senses alerted me to Bentley’s presence before he spoke, but his voice still startled and relaxed me.

“Hey, nervous Nellie. I think you need to relax.” Bentley turned me toward him and smiled. He had a press pass around his neck.

“Yeah. Okay.” I half smiled. “I’m so worried. What if my parents show up?” When I’d replied to their country club invitation, I invited them to the show and left two tickets for them at Will Call. My stress level escalated when I thought of them sitting in the audience.

“Babe, you’ll be great. Don’t worry.” He cupped my cheek. “Whether they’re here or not, just go do your thing. You got this. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

No sooner had I said that than the stage manager waved at me, indicating I had five minutes.

“Now go be great.” Bentley kissed the top of my head. “I need to get out of here before we get scolded.” He laughed.

After a deep breath and my biggest smile for Bentley, he went to his seat, and I walked toward the stage I’d been dreaming of for years.

What a show!
The audience was on their feet as the cast and I linked hands to bow. The curtain lowered, and I ran offstage into Bentley’s waiting arms.

He picked me up and swung me around. “Awesome. Just awesome. I knew you had it in you!” He reached to the side and grabbed a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses mixed with white baby’s breath and wrapped in silver tissue paper. “Congratulations, sweetheart!”

I inhaled the pretty scent of the blooms as my eyes scanned the area. I’d left backstage passes with the tickets for my parents.

“They aren’t here.” Bentley’s eyes looked sad.

I shrugged and nodded. “I’m going to go get changed and find Gina.” As I began to walk away, I was hoisted into the air.

“Oh my God, Andi! That was amazing. What a great show!” Seth twirled me around and set me down. “You were fantastic!” He looked at Bentley. “We haven’t officially met. You must be . . .”

“Bentley. It’s good to meet you. Seth, right?”

They shook hands.

“Yeah. Right,” Seth said.

“Okay, guys, I need to change, peel off my face, and go find Gina. Then we can head out for a drink or something. I have way too much energy to go home!” I felt as though I were bouncing off the walls.

Bentley’s blue eyes caught mine, and they were full of lust. I was sure he had a way for me to spend my energy, but I really wanted to be with my friends and for them to get to know my guy.

I placed my hand on the back of his neck and lowered his ear to my mouth. “Later.”

He let out a soft moan, and I left with a wink. In my small dressing area, which I shared with other cast members, I noticed a large bouquet of pink roses in a crystal vase. I grabbed the card nestled among them.

My heart swelled. I was twenty-six, and parental approval or pride wasn’t necessary, but it still felt good.

I brushed my hair, ruining the gallon of hairspray in it, and pulled it into a ponytail before I scraped off the theater makeup. I replaced it with light blush and a touch of gloss and set out to hang with my friends. We headed to a small restaurant—nothing fancy but perfect. I noticed Gina and Seth getting very flirty with each other as we were seated.

“So your parents sent you flowers?” Gina took a sip of her wine, waiting for my response.

I nodded. “They said they couldn’t make it, but they were sorry, and they were proud of me.”

Bentley kissed my cheek. “That’s good, right?”

“Yeah, that’s more than I expected. I’ll see what happens when I see them.” My lips formed a tight grin.

“You mean the country club bash?” Gina half-smiled. She knew how much I disliked going there.

“That’s the one.” I turned to Bentley. “You’ll be with me, right?”

His smile was panty-melting. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” He lightly brushed my lips with his.

I took in his masculine scent. “Good. Thank you.” Our eyes locked. We needed to get out of there.

“Are you reviewing the show?” Seth’s voice was laced with concern.

“No, I’m not,” Bentley said. “A colleague of mine, George, is. I didn’t think it would be appropriate if I reviewed it. But if I was going to, it would be a wonderful article and one that I’ve wanted to write for years. Something to the tune of, ‘Ms. Jordan is a show stopper.’”

Seth sneered at him. “That’s a lot different from your last review.”

I shot Seth a look to cut it out. I knew he was just trying to protect me, but I’d moved past it. He needed to do the same.

Bentley’s eyes narrowed. “I was doing my job. Are we going to have a problem?”

“Not if you’re not going to review her anymore.”

I knew Seth’s heart was in the right place, but I needed to step in. I put my hand on his. “It’s fine. Bentley made me a better actress. His critique helped me.”

Seth ran his tongue over his top lip in frustration. “Fine. But . . .” He looked at Bentley. “Your words cut her and left scars. Maybe you don’t see it that way, but when you trash someone’s art in print, you run the risk of hurting them. I get that it’s your job, but you don’t have to be so harsh. Have some feelings, man.”

Bentley’s hand tightened on my thigh as Seth spoke. “Point taken.”

His reaction to Seth was calm. I half-expected Bentley to defend his work as always, but he didn’t. I wasn’t sure why he’d reacted that way, but I was thankful they didn’t have an argument. Gina had asked me if she could tell Seth about London a few days ago. I’d felt bad that I hadn’t mentioned it, so I gave her the go ahead. Maybe that was why Seth was even more upset with Bentley.

“Let’s get you home. You’ve had a big night.” Bentley’s grip loosened on my leg, and he took my hand. He dropped cash on the table. “Gina, always a pleasure. Seth.”

I quirked a smile at my friends and headed out with Bentley. His pace quickened as he hailed a cab. Once inside the yellow checkered sedan, he gave the driver his address.

“Bentley, I need to get home.”

“I’m just going to pack a bag, and I’ll drive us to your place.” The tension radiating off him was palpable. I supposed Seth’s words had something to do with that.

“You’re coming with me?” I was surprised and delighted.

“Yeah, I am.”

“Don’t worry about Seth. He was just being protective. G told him about London. I haven’t talked to him about it yet, so that could have impacted his attitude” I kissed Bentley’s bicep.