Chapter 0419


    With Julian on my arm, we returned to the ballroom. Nichs noticed immediately, gaze


    this time. zeroing in on where Julian and my arms were interlocked. I didn’t move away After all,


    Bridget had her arm, at that very moment, wrapped around one of Nichs’s too. 3


    On stage, Tiffany and Jessica are performing a scene. From what I can tell, they are ying Bridget’s


    disapproving sisters. Since I hadn’t read that far, I could only guesstimate based on one–half of the


    current conversation.


    I could only hear one half.


    Tiffany was speaking too loudly, like she was talking to someone on the other side of the room. Jessica,


    meanwhile, was speaking too softly, barely a whisper. They would both wear microphones for the


    performance, but I suspected even then, Jessica’s voice would go


    unheard.


    At the base of the stage, Bridget releases Nichs’s arm to rub at her temples. “No, girls. We’ve talked


    about this. Tiffany, you don’t need to project your voice so much. But Jessica, I need you not to


    whisper.”


    Beside her, Nathan nodded along. He looked tired too. This had clearly been going on for a


    while.


    “I thought I was being quieter,” Tiffany said, and the people down the street might have been able to


    hear her.


    Nichs whispered something to Bridget and she heaved a great sigh.


    “Everyone, let’s take a small break for water and snacks,” Bridget announced. “Then we’ll try again.”


    Odd, how Nathan continued to take orders from Bridget and not the other way around. At this point,


    maybe I should have been used to it. It seemed strange no matter how many times I witnessed it.


    “I’m going to get a drink,” Julian said. “Do you want anything?”


    “I’m not sure yet.” Honestly, my stomach felt kind of queasy. I wasn’t sure I could even keep water


    down.


    Julian shrugged, released my arm, and said, “Juste over if you change your mind.‘


    “I will.”


    1/2


    +15 B?NUS


    I watched Julian walking away, not noticing until it was far toote to make a casual getaway that


    Bridget was approaching me.


    “Piper! How are you feeling now? Better, I trust?” she asked, her friendly disposition firmly in ce. I


    couldn’t help but wonder if her approach had anything to do with Julian leaving, but then decided I was


    overthinking it. Surely she wouldn’t go out of her way to avoid Julian when she was still flirting with him.


    “Better,” I said. “I’ll have your handkerchief cleaned before I return it. Thank you for lending it to me.” (1)


    Bridget smiled. “I’m d I could help.” She pped her hands together. “Listen, I have something to


    ask you. I was looking through the script, and I was thinking about your charming little girl Elva. I think I


    have a perfect part for her. Do you think she would want to take part in the y?”


    To say that Elva would want to participate in the y was an understatement. She would be absolutely


    overjoyed. But I still hesitated to answer, remembering Elva’s talk with Nichs, about how Elva can


    trust Bridget implicitly. I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of the two being together.


    “Before you say anything, let me put your worries at ease,” Bridget said. “She wouldn’t need toe to


    every rehearsal. The part I have in mind is small with no lines. She would simply walk across the stage


    and drop a few flowers. Our own little flower girl. Wouldn’t that be so sweet?”


    It would be sweet. But I was still rmed this idea wasing from Bridget.


    Why was she being so thoughtful? What was she


    up


    Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org.


    to?


    Or was I the one at fault here, being so suspicious of someone who just wanted to kindly make sure a


    small child felt included?


    I felt like a right asshole after that.


    “She would love it,” I said with honesty. “I’ll speak to her about it.‘