Backstage Romance: An Austen-Inspired Romantic Comedy Box Set by Gigi Blume (ebook reader with highlighter txt) 📕

stars in their eyes? How was he supposed to know Harriet was different? The real deal.

“She’s a terrific actress,” I said. “She went to The Goddard Academy.”

Jaxson was all politeness, but I could see the reserve in his smile. The Goddard Academy wasn’t the most prestigious acting school in Los Angeles, but I knew it was pricey, so naturally it had some merit.

Jax tilted his head, studying Harriet. “What brings you here, Harriet?”

“Oh! Miss Woods offered to mentor me. And I’m her personal assistant.”

Jaxson’s eyebrows raised even higher on his forehead.

“Oh, please,” I cried, claiming Harriet’s arm. “Call me Emma. We’re besties now.”

A blush of pink overtook her fair skin. She needn’t stand on ceremony for my sake. Miss Woods. Honestly.

“Is that Will Darcy?” Harriet’s eyes bulged out of her skull—and I thought I might have to clamp her jaw shut.

“I’m going for a selfie,” she squealed.

“Really, Harriet, you’re mixing with A-listers now—” I was about to remind her to practice some semblance of decorum, but she was off like a bolt of lightning. Jaxson grinned at me.

“Besties, huh?”

“You’ve been bugging me to find female friends,” I said.

“Yes, but—”

“What is Will doing here anyhow?” I crinkled my nose, still not ready to process this new development. Was I supposed to like him now?

“He’s just dropping off Beth,” answered Jaxson.

We both glanced in Will’s direction. Harriet was gushing over him, handing Beth her phone to snap some photos. I rolled my eyes. Beth had more talent in her little finger.

“So…” Jaxson teased. “Since when do you have a personal assistant?”

“She wanted to feel useful. But really I think I can help her to… you know…”

“Learn to schmooze?”

I watched Harriet totally fangirl like a weirdo. “Maybe to learn how to play it cool, for starters.”

What was she doing wasting her time on Will? Elton deserved her attention.

“Where’s Elton?” I asked, searching the room. Stella was kind enough to lend us rehearsal space at the Gardiner, saving Jaxson gobs of money. The studio, usually meant for dancing, was situated beside the stage door and was named the Cry Room many years ago by a few overly-sensitive actors. Today, tables were set up in the form of a big square, and in lieu of a place setting, a script and name card waited for each cast member, along with a pencil and bottle of water.

“He’s trying to calm down Pinky. She was hyperventilating earlier.”

“What happened now?”

“One of our actors missed his flight, so he won’t be here today,” he replied.

“Who?”

Jaxson rolled his eyes. “Frank Churchill.”

I knew Frank Churchill wasn’t Jaxson’s first choice to play John, the younger Donwell brother, but Pinky insisted he’d bring in a slew of fangirls. Frank was, after all, a former teen heartthrob. His success on the popular TV show Choir Boys made him the obvious choice to secure a box office smash. Jaxson never said so, but I knew he faced a huge risk workshopping a musical. He needed a big name attached to the project to sell it to the studios. I could see the worry around his eyes.

I waved my hand to lighten the subject. “It’ll be fine. It’s only a table reading. Harriet can read Frank’s part today.”

“Elton already volunteered,” he replied. “He knows the material better than anyone.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said, feeling silly. “He wrote the music.”

“Actually, he’s more of a lyricist, but—”

“There you are, Emma.” Elton appeared before me, almost squeezing Jaxson to the side. He came in for an air kiss but slipped and got too close, planting one right on my jaw. “Don’t you look radiant.” He whistled, trailing his line of vision down the length of my legs. “Are those shoes or medieval torture devices?”

“They’re her reading shoes apparently,” said Jaxson dryly. He grabbed my arm and ushered me to my seat.

“What are you doing?” I hissed.

“Saving the man from certain disappointment.”

I nestled into my chair, narrowing my eyes on him as he took the seat next to me. “For your information, he will be far from disappointed once I work my matchmaking wonders on his life.”

“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, Emma. No more matchmaking.”

I shrugged and swivelled in my chair, pretending I didn’t hear him. A few short minutes later, Elton took the place on the other side of me, and we began our session with a pep talk from Jaxson. It was a magical moment, seeing Jaxson’s eyes sparkle as he addressed all the performers and creatives in the room. Morris Tomlinson slid onto the piano bench, giving a timid wave when introduced. Elton wasn’t so shy. He stood and bowed when it was his turn, making sure Jaxson and I noticed the appreciation he had in taking part in this endeavour.

For the table read, it was optional for the performers to sing since nobody had worked with the music yet in rehearsals. Most everyone knew their parts, though; they’d had the sheet music for a couple of weeks, so we got off to a fantastic start. Still, Elton and Morris were there to fill in the gaps where rehearsal was lacking. Beth kept right up with the rest of the company, delivering on her solo like a boss. I knew she’d kill it.

The one performance that had everyone cheering, however, was Elton’s. Who knew the guy was such an actor? For a scene where my character had to choose between the two brothers, he took my hand and delivered his lines with such emotion, I’d almost forgotten to respond.

“Say you don’t love me, and I’ll leave forever,” he said. “But if you stay silent, my dearest Penelope, I will carry you to the chapel directly.”

He was crying actual tears. I was supposed to reply something to the effect of being betrothed to his brother, but I blundered my lines because he’d cupped my face in his palms, and I couldn’t see my script. “I… errr…”

“Shhh,” he muttered, placing his forefinger on my lips. Then he signalled to Morris to start the intro to Don’t Speak at All.