His Dream Role (7 page)

Inside, there was a note stuck to the wall near her coat hook. She couldn't help but smile. Free was a good guy. She held the note as she walked through the apartment. He'd left no overt sign that he'd been there, but he'd cleaned up the mess they'd left.

She would definitely go to the play tonight. Maybe Jess would be free to join her. Then she could see that he wasn't a freak. But first she texted Free.

As she thumbed through her contacts to call Jess, another text from Free came across.

Not just a good guy, but considerate, too. It wouldn't take much for her to completely fall for him. The thought was crazy; she'd only known him for a couple of weeks.

She called Jess to make plans for tonight and to get a dose of sanity.

“Hey, babe. What's up?”

“You want to go out tonight?”

“Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“I have a couple of tickets to see
A Christmas Carol
.”

A long pause followed.

“Why?”

“It's opening night and Free is leaving tickets for us.”

“This is your latest weirdo?”

“He's not weird and I really like him. Plus, this'll be your chance to meet him and check him out. Then you'll see he's not a weirdo.”

Jess groaned. “Okay. What time?”

That was one reason she loved Jess. The girl could complain like nobody's business, but she always came through as a friend. They made plans to meet at the theater. If Free passed Jess's test, Sam might think about bringing him to meet her parents. After the holidays, of course. Bringing someone home at Christmas spoke volumes about the relationship and they weren't at that stage. At least not yet.

W
hen the curtain came down, Jess stood and stretched. “You were right. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.”

“Told you.” Sam reclined in the theater seat. “I don't know how long it'll take for Free to change, so we might as well stay here.”

Jess remained standing and looked across the theater. “Decent-sized crowd.”

“I thought they were good. Professional.”

Jess plopped back into the seat. “You seem mellow. Why is that? You're usually nervous when I meet a boyfriend for the first time.”

“I'm not sure. Free is different. We're comfortable together.”

“Seriously?”

“What?”

“You slept with him already.”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Sam dodged Jess's stare.

“Spill.”

Sam leaned closer to Jess and lowered her voice. “So what? We slept together.”

“And?”

“It was sweet and fun. And before you ask, we talked about being exclusive. He's totally on board.” She decided to keep his lack of condoms to herself. “He was kind of awkward at first, but he warmed up.” She thought about him going down on her moments before her dad barged in. “We were almost caught in the act by my dad.”

“Bet that was fun.”

“Not.” Sam shook her head. “Believe it or not, of all the things my dad could've been upset over, it wasn't Free being in my apartment.”

“Seriously?”

“He didn't like that Free's an actor. But even that, he excuses because he assumes I'm playing around. He was more concerned that I won't take back the car.”

“Tell him he can send it my way any time.”

“You're funny.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she fished it out. “It's from Free. He's says he'll meet us by the front door.”

They gathered their things and walked down the aisle. Jess pushed the heavy door to the lobby open and Sam grabbed her arm. “Try to be nice to him.”

“I'll be nice as long as he is.”

“Then we won't have a problem because I don't think Free knows how to be any other way.”

They stood in the lobby for a few minutes before Free found them in the crowd. He got close and then hesitated, like he wasn't sure if he should kiss her. She tilted her lips up in invitation. He pressed a quick kiss and then looked at Jess.

“Hi. I'm Free.”

“Jess,” she answered, as she looked him up and down.

“Most of the cast is going out for a few drinks if you'd like to join us.”

Jess looked at her. Sam slipped her hand into Free's. “I have a paper I need to work on this weekend, but I don't think a little time away would hurt.”

“Do you need a ride?”

“No. Jess has her car. We can meet you there.”

“I'll text you the address as soon as I get it from someone.”

Sam and Jess spent the next couple of hours in a bar with a rowdy crowd of actors and crew members. Sam couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun with a group of complete strangers. When she could no longer stifle her yawns, she leaned close to Free and said, “I have to get going. As much as I'd like to stay, I'm really tired and I still have homework.”

He held her hand. “You want me to drive you?”

“No. Jess will take me home. Stay with your friends.”

He stared at her for a minute. “We're not going to see each other for the rest of the weekend, are we?”

“You're performing and I have schoolwork, so probably not.” The thought made her stomach sink.

“How about Tuesday or Wednesday night?”

Crap. “I work on Tuesday and I have plans Wednesday. Unless you want to come wrap presents for the shelter. We order pizza and have a wrapping party. It usually goes pretty late.”

“Tell me when and where and I'll be there.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why not? I get to spend the evening with my girlfriend. I don't care what we're doing.” He leaned closer and his breath tickled her ear. “I'll only care what we do after the wrapping is done.”

His suggestion sent tingles through her body. Was there really no way to have a date before then? Coffee together wasn't enough anymore. She closed her eyes.
Be an adult, Sam. Get your work done.
“Call me tomorrow.”

When she stood with Jess, he joined them.

“I'll walk you out.”

Jess waved at them. “How about I go get the car and bring it to the door so I don't have to witness any more lovebird crap.”

Free laughed. “It was nice to meet you, Jess.”

“You, too.” She walked through the crowd and out the door.

Free held her coat out for her to put on and told his friends he'd be right back. At the front door to the bar, he slid his arm around her back. “I'm glad you came out tonight.”

“So am I. I liked meeting your friends.”

“Did I pass the test?”

Sam smiled. “You mean Jess? She's not a test.” Well, maybe a little. “I think you did okay.”

“What would happen if I didn't?”

“I'd have to dump you and burn your number, of course.”

“Very funny.” He leaned in and kissed her. His lips were soft, and he tasted like the beer he'd drunk.

She sighed into him, wishing for more. A horn honked outside.

Free pulled away. “That's your ride.”

“Coffee Monday?”

“Absolutely.”

He stood at the door and watched until she was safely in Jess's car. She smiled and waved as Jess pulled away.

“How long have you known this guy?”

Sam shrugged. “A few weeks I guess.”

“You have it so bad.”

“What?”

“And he's no better. The two of you sitting at the table tonight ... I don't even have the words. It was like you were part of the group, but all you cared about was each other.”

Sam squinted at her friend and replayed the night at the bar. “Free talked to his friends all night.”

“But he was touching you, checking on you, making sure you were good in between each sentence of conversation.”

Sam couldn't argue. “Given that my past boyfriends had a habit of forgetting I was around, I kind of like it.”

“I'm not saying you shouldn't. It just seems like you're falling really hard really fast.”

She was. She felt it every time she looked at Free or talked to him. Was that a bad thing? Keeping her thoughts to herself, she looked out the window and watched the city fly by.

Jess had her best interests in mind. Sam knew she fell fast for guys, but this felt different, mutual in ways it hadn't in the past. She didn't need any seeds of doubt planted in her new relationship.

She resolved to let it go at its own pace.

Free's weekend had gone as well as he'd expected. Opening weekend was always exhausting and exhilarating. The only thing that would've been an improvement would've been if he'd had more time with Samantha. But he'd get to see her for a bit this afternoon after Cary's workout. Maybe they could go to dinner since he didn't have to worry about rehearsal.

His classes were almost over, with only one final to take this week. He walked into his dad's downtown office. He loved coming here, especially knowing that in a few short months he would have a permanent spot. He waved at his dad's secretary, who was on the phone. She nodded and waved him to the office door.

Free knocked once to announce himself and then eased the door open in case his dad was on the phone, as well.

“Free, glad you could stop by.”

“It felt a little more like you were expecting me, not inviting me.”

“You're funny.” He pointed to the seat in front of the desk. “You were dead-on with the reports I gave you. Can't wait to get you on board.”

Free unbuttoned his coat and his dad looked at the costume he wore. He'd left the Zorro mask and hat in the car, but the all-black outfit was still telling. “Going to work out with Cary?”

Free nodded. “What did I need to come here for?”

“I know you're busy with the play until Christmas, which your mother loved by the way. She can't stop singing your praises to everyone.” He leaned his elbows on his desk. “I want you to come to the office holiday party this year.”

Free opened his mouth to refuse, but his dad stopped him with a hand in the air. “The party is on the twenty-ninth, so it won't interfere with the play or the party you throw with the guys. You need to start networking with our clients.”

Free hated the thought of networking. He excelled with numbers and money. Having to sell himself to people was not a strong suit. It was part of why he wanted to work for his dad instead of finding another firm. No interview required.

“I don't work here yet. I don't see what good will come of it.”

“I want people to see your face, meet our newest associate who will be joining us this summer. Your hands have been on many of these projects. I want our clients to become comfortable with you.” He leaned back in his chair and waited for Free to come up with his next rebuttal.

The problem was, Free didn't have one. His father believed in a hands-on approach with his clients and he expected it of his employees. Clients were not simply account numbers. Free knew this and he respected it.

“You know this isn't a good idea, Dad. I know the clients. You've taught me well, but I suck at the stupid small talk. I don't know how to shoot the breeze with someone. If they want to discuss their portfolios, I can oblige, but I don't want to talk about whether I think we'll get more snow or if the Bears have a shot this year.”

His dad laughed. “We're sure to get more snow. It is Chicago, after all, and the Bears are out of it again.”

Free shook his head. “You know what I mean.”

“You'll be fine. I expect you to be here just like every other employee. Your brother never has a problem coming to the party.”

“That's because Cary is a people person. He loves being surrounded by a bunch of people where he can tell funny stories. I tell a story and all I get are looks, not laughs.” Unlike at the gym, where Free knew he'd get the laughs. Cary didn't mind being the center of attention at a party where the focus was on his words, unlike at the gym where everything was about his body. Cary could single-handedly carry a party.

“Time to grow up, Humphrey. This is part of the job, like it or not. As long as you don't do anything to embarrass us, you'll be fine.”

Free stood to leave. Everything his dad wanted was easier said than done. He knew arguing wouldn't do him a bit of good. He needed to just figure out how to get through the night without embarrassing himself or his dad. If he kept his mouth shut, he might succeed.

“You'll need to wear a good suit, no costumes.” He pointed at Free. “And maybe not discuss the acting. Our clients want to know their advisers are serious professionals.”

“I know.” He understood his dad's stance. Although his dad loved his mom and her love of theater, he only tolerated it in Free. He never tried to stop Free from acting, but he didn't exactly support it, either. It was the part of Free they didn't talk about much.

He said good-bye and left the office. Tension tightened his muscles. He had a little over a week to figure out how to network. A week to learn how to network with clients on top of studying for one more final, acting in a play, and trying to spend time with his new girlfriend.

Girlfriend.
He liked the sound of that. Maybe he should invite Samantha to the company party. She was a social worker, which by definition made her a people person. She would probably make a good buffer. As he drove to the coffee shop for their usual mini-date, he debated the merits of asking her to the party.

She wouldn't embarrass him. She would know how to talk to people. She had a way of making people around her relax. He'd get to spend another evening with her while accomplishing what he needed to do.

However, bringing her to his father's—and soon to be his—place of business screamed of a serious relationship. While he had no problem with that, he couldn't predict how Samantha would react. Or his father, for that matter. Free wasn't in the habit of bringing too many girls home to meet his parents.

Throughout Cary's entire workout, Free was distracted by his conversation with their dad. Although Cary could sympathize with Free, he never understood Free's inability to function at cocktail parties and things like that. A party filled with his friends, he was fine with. It was the strangers who did him in.