Method Acting: An opposites attract, found family romance (Center Stage Book 2) by Adele Buck (web based ebook reader txt) 📕

“You, thief,” Kathleen said, pulling out a wipe and slamming the container shut, moving it out of Alicia’s reach. “You spent all of the time before curtain composing an apparently very important e-mail.”

Alicia took off her cap and tossed it on the vanity, wiping the makeup off her face. “Not much to tell.”

Wendy rolled her eyes as she unzipped her costume. “No more of that ‘I am an island’ stuff. We’re your friends. Friends share. They tell stories. So, tell.”

Kathleen pointed finger guns at Alicia. “She’s right. Dish, Friendo.”

Something warm bloomed in Alicia’s chest. “Okay. You know part of it already. That guy at the donor’s party. Thought he was a bit of an asshat, but then he came to my jazz gig with a friend. He was less of an asshat, and his friend was sort of adorably clueless about Shakespeare. He brought his friend to the production and took me out for a drink after. He was definitely not an asshat then. He invited me to the fancy-pants gala thing I now need a gown for.”

“Is he cute?” Wendy asked, pausing in removing her costume. Alicia almost laughed at how her seemingly naïve castmate was completely unselfconscious about being nude from the waist up. And then didn’t laugh when she remembered her new contract.

“No, not cute,” Kathleen said. “Hot. Kind of broodingly hot.” She turned back to Alicia. “And the friend…did he go for drinks too? Is he also hot? If so, can I meet him?” Her eyes were bright with eagerness.

Alicia laughed and ticked off answers to Kathleen’s questions on her fingers. “One: no, he didn’t come for drinks. Two: Definitely hot. But trending to cute. Kind of goofy and adorable. Three: I’ll see what I can do.”

“Mmmm. Maybe I’ll pick up something nice at Olga’s myself. What does this friend do?”

Alicia re-folded the makeup wipe to find a clean side and scrubbed at her face. “Law professor,” she said, attempting nonchalance.

Kathleen turned wide eyes on her. “Seriously? Hot and smart?”

“Pfft. How smart can he be if he hadn’t been to a Shakespeare production before yesterday?” Alicia tossed the wipe in the trash and started to remove her costume.

“He came, though. That means smart and teachable.” A predatory smile spread across Kathleen’s face. “Add eager to please and you have my favorite kind.”

“You’re incorrigible,” Wendy said, pulling on a pair of jeans.

“Hey. I just know what I like,” Kathleen said.

Alicia threw up a hand. “One thing at a time. Let’s find me a perfect dress for this shindig and I’ll see about arranging an introduction to Russell.”

“Ooh. Russell, is it?” Kathleen brought her fingers up in front of her, curled like paws. “Okay, I’m on board, Cinderelly. Let’s get you ready for the ball.”

Chapter 7

Alicia paused on the sidewalk and looked up the stairs to the green awning that had “Olga’s” in flowing script.

Kathleen elbowed her in the ribs. “Come on, what are you waiting for?”

Alicia rubbed her stomach, surprised to find herself jittery. “Dunno. I guess I just don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t find anything to wear. I really don’t have a plan B.”

Kathleen twisted her heavy auburn hair up off her neck and squinted at Alicia. “Well, didn’t you say Mr. Hot is a lobbyist? Dude must have some dough. Make him buy you a dress. Go full billionaire romance novel.”

“No.” Alicia set her mouth in a flat line and shook her head. “No expensive gifts from guys. Then they think they own you.”

“Okay,” Kathleen said, letting her hair tumble down over her shoulders again. “Unless you want to raid the costume shop for some sweat-stained old rag of a gown that’s been used in fourteen productions…”

“Appealing. So appealing.”

“…Get your butt up there and let’s get shopping.”

Alicia jogged up the cement steps outside and the carpeted steps inside before any more butterflies could colonize her stomach. The interior of the shop looked more like a retrofitted apartment. Which it probably was. Instead of one large showroom, smaller rooms presented a rabbit-warren appearance. Clothes were everywhere, on wall-mounted bars and free-standing racks, even hanging from doors. Alicia’s eyes glazed over. How was she going to find anything in this jumble? Kathleen’s face had a keen expression, no longer one of Cinderella’s mice. Now she was more like a cat who had just dropped to her belly, ready to pounce on some unsuspecting creature.

An impeccably coiffed older woman in what had to be a real Chanel suit emerged from a back room and smiled from Kathleen to Alicia and back at Kathleen. “Hello again, what can we do for you today?”

Kathleen pointed at Alicia. “Not me today, Olga. My friend. She needs an evening gown. A stunning one.”

Olga looked Alicia up and down and smiled. “Wonderful. How fun. For a specific event?”

“The…” Alicia dug her phone out of her shorts and consulted it for the name of the event. “USA Science Fair Gala?”

“Oh, marvelous,” Olga said, her pale eyes twinkling. “Your first time attending, I gather?”

“Yes,” Alicia said, feeling uncomfortable. Not just first time attending this thing. First time at a black-tie anything. She felt like a fraud.

Olga turned and crooked a finger. “Follow me. I have something in mind that I believe will both suit you and fit you beautifully.”

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Jeanette commented as Colin approached her desk, whistling. “How did the meeting with the senator’s staff go?”

“You mean my meeting with the senator?” he asked, winking.

Jeanette looked suitably impressed. “Senator Fisker actually dropped in on the meeting?”

“She did more than drop in. She stayed for twenty minutes and seemed deeply concerned about the state of STEM education in public school systems.”

“Hence the whistling. I’m surprised you didn’t stop off for champagne.”

Colin grinned. “Ah, speaking of celebrations, is the town car for the gala arranged?”

Jeanette nodded and consulted her monitor, clicking her mouse. “All settled. It will pick you up at your house at quarter to seven. You’ll be at the cocktail hour in plenty