After my date with Julian, I was left confused, unsure if I had clearly made any of the points I had set out to make or not. Nicholas showing up had certainly thrown a wrench into my plans. I wasn’t sure how I could show Julian he deserved love that came easy, when my own heart was so entangled in p

The next day was the dress rehearsal for the performance event. All of the candidates, Nicholas, Julian, Elva, and I were in our costumes in the ballroom at the base of the stage, chatting and getting ready. Everyone’s spirits seemed to be high. In our costumes, we made for a colorful bunch. Many

Bridget made Nicholas and I redo our breakup scene. With his apology fresh between us, I didn’t feel so hurt anymore, and the words from the script bounced right off of me without taking root in my heart. After the scene, Nicholas and I smiled at each other, then I made my way down the stage to re

That night, Nicholas and Julian joined the rest of the candidates and me in the dining room for dinner together. Elva was tired from the day’s events, so I returned her to our room where the nanny was waiting to keep an eye on her. Julian joined me at the door, to walk down to the dining room togeth

Early the next morning, I awoke to the sound of loud and persistent knocking on my door. It was so early, Charlotte hadn’t even arrived yet and the curtains were still drawn over the windows. The guards were talking with the morning visitor, who was nearly shrieking in her reply. It was Bridget. S

I frowned deeper. Julian was always playing the angles. Would he have put me down to impress Bridget? That didn’t really sound like him. “He called you… oh, forgive me. A manipulative tramp. A two-faced woman. Someone who only cared about him for his money and power.” Julian would not say that a

I didn’t see Julian or Bridget again until later in the day when it was time for the final show. By then, the cameras had been set and the guests had arrived to fulfill their role as the audience. The King and Queen took their spots on their raised thrones. Joyce was notably absent. He was likely

“Nick? What is it?” I asked. He turned to me, walked right up to me, and said, “Something better than good luck.” Then he kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him. His hands gripped my waist. He guided me back against the lip of the counter then hoisted me up so that I was sitting on top of it. M

I sneaked out of the bathroom while Nicholas stayed to clean the lipstick off and adjust his clothes. As the leading man, he had to be certain that he looked perfect. I insisted. Someone would be sure to notice if even a hair of his was out of place, and then our relationship could be threatened.

As Bridget finished her solo scene, it was time for Nicholas and me to head to the stage for our breakup scene. “Break a leg,” Bridget said to us as we passed each other. I knew this was the traditional way of wishing someone good luck in a theater production, but my wolf still snarled inside of m