Page 78 of Forget About Me

“This is from Ben. No last name, no number,” she says in her heavy South Boston accent. “He says, ‘I’d love for you to come to the show tonight, and I’d love it even more if you’d come over to my place afterward.’”

Glad she can’t see my blush. “Got it. That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“Okay, thanks. Have a nice weekend.”

“Sounds like you will, honey.”

She hangs up before I can comment. Ben and I both have pagers now, and sometimes he sends me a “707” message, which kind of reads “LOL” if you look at it upside down, meaning “lots of love,” but I do wish we had a more private way to exchange messages.

Hours later, I’m wandering the lobby after the show, waiting for Ben to change out of his costume. When I worked backstage for the drama club in high school, there were only a few performances, and each one was completely different. There’d always be some screw-up: someone forgot lines or a piece of the scenery fell down or someone’s costume went missing.

This was a whole other ballgame. Tonight’s performance technically matched opening night, but in subtle ways, it was completely different. It’s hard to explain, but it was like the actors incorporated the audience’s feedback into the show moment by moment by moment. Like we were all in it together.

The theater door opens, but it isn’t Ben, it’s the woman who plays his sidekick. She’s in a dress and has lipstick on, so it takes a moment for me to recognize her.

“Hey, Lucy!”

“Hi, Bella. Great job tonight.”

“Thanks! We had fun.” The lanky blonde gives me a side hug. “It’s so good to see you! I guess you’ve been busy?”

“Yeah. Who knew there was so much demand for dog training?”

“If you trained kids, I’d hire you.” She grins. “Wait, do you?”

I shake my head. “I wouldn’t even know how to start.”

“Believe me, that doesn’t change even after you become a parent.” She squeezes my forearm. “So, things are good with you and Ben? Does he know you’re here?” She looks back toward the doors that lead backstage. “I think he’s still getting notes from the stage manager.” She leans closer. “You aren’t mad at him?”

“Mad? About what?”

She covers her face with her hands and talks into them. “Um. Nothing.” She drops her hands and shakes them out while bouncing on the balls of her feet. “I’m just hyped up on post-show adrenaline.”

Resettling her shoulder bag, she hugs me again. “He’s one of the good ones. Just remember that.” After a long look full of some sort of meaning, she claps her hands. “Okay, gotta get home. Bye!”

Before I can process what just happened, the stage door swings open and the stars of the show appear. At least in my book. Puck’s bright eyes find me, and Ben drops the leash. Seconds later, the dog’s in my arms and I’m in Ben’s.

Puck quickly squirms free, but I nestle into Ben with a sigh. “I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you more.” He rubs his scruffy beard into my hair. “Thanks for coming.”

A yawn takes over my mouth. “Sorry, it’s been a long day. This is way past my bedtime.”

“Let’s get you to bed.” He nuzzles my ear. “Though I’m not sure if I can let you go to sleep right away.”

“Get a room, you two.”

Will’s teasing has me stepping back, but Ben pulls me into his side. “You’re just jealous.”

“Nah, I’m going home to my own gorgeous woman.” He bows in my direction. “Glad to have you back, Lucy. Ben could use a little more training. He’s all over the place out there. Puck can barely keep him in line.”

“Yeah, yeah. Who got more notes than me tonight?” Ben grabs his bag before leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Will you come home with me? I promise not to keep you up all night. Just part of it.”

Taking his free hand, I kiss him on the cheek before answering, “Race you there.”

BEN

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