a dream that you wish | kasey winslow |

Chapter 54

Shows resumed a few days after the parade. It was the time of the year when things started to get complicated.

Breaks constantly prevented from the cast from getting in stride with their performances, and then award season started not long after Christmas was over. In reality, there wouldn't be a truly normal schedule until the Tonys were over. 

Before one of her next shows, Kasey sat in her dressing room putting her hair into pincurls. She was alone, surprisingly. Usually one of the little girls hung out with her while she got ready- sometimes it was all of them. But most often, it was Emma who watched Kasey get ready for shows. 

"Hey, Kasey," a voice said. Kasey turned around, halfway through putting a bobby pin into one of the last pincurls. 

"Jace!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see your show," Jace told her, plopping himself down in the chair next to Kasey. "And to surprise you."

"Consider me surprised," Kasey laughed. "You should have told me! I would have prepared sooner so I could actually show you around before the show."

"Nah, I'm good," Jace said, smiling. "I just missed you, and I wanted to hang out with you before you go onstage."

Kasey quickly finished pinning up her hair and then pulled out her makeup. "How was your day?" she asked as she swirled her brush around in powder. 

"It was nice, I hung out with my parents, my brother, and his family," Jace answered. "We played lots of games. It was nice, actually."

"I'm glad- I liked your brother's family, and your mum," Kasey said. She didn't mention Jace's father, who had vehemently opposed Hamilton when Kasey met him.

"What did you do for the break?" Jace asked.

"Nothing, really. I stayed home."

"So, what's the idea here?" Jace asked. "What kind of running around do you have to do?"

"Quite a bit, but it's not too bad," Kasey said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The show went quickly, despite the fact that they had just been on break. Afterwards, Kasey and Jace went to the cafe near the Richard Rodgers, both too energized to go back to their apartments.

"Would you ever consider moving in with me?" Jace asked after they had gotten their drinks- coffee for Jace, hot chocolate for Kasey. "Do you want to move in with me?"

Kasey blinked. "I don't know, I hadn't considered it," she said finally. "I think we definitely know each other well enough, but I don't want to just leave Carleigh hanging with our rent."

Jace sipped his drink thoughtfully. "What if you kept paying rent with Carleigh, and just moved some of your stuff to my apartment? That way you can have the best of both worlds. I know how close you two are."

"That could work, but we're all so busy," Kasey reminded him. "When would any of us have time to do that? You and I both have brand-new shows, and awards season is coming up. Carleigh's auditioning for a new show. I don't know when it would happen."

"What about over Christmas break?" Jace offered.

Kasey hesitated. "I don't have too long, but maybe, yeah, if we did it in just a few days. Only if you're absolutely sure that this is the right step. We've just started dating again."

"I know, Kasey, but let's be honest here, we dated before we broke up. We've known each other for two years now. I think that it would be plenty appropriate. And if it doesn't work out, you can always go back to the loft. If you need space."

"Yeah, okay, I just have to talk to Carleigh, alright?" Kasey agreed after a brief moment of hesitation."

"Are you sure about this, Kase? I want you to be sure. I don't want you to regret anything," Jace said seriously.

Kasey leaned forward. "If I weren't sure about this, about you, I don't think I'd still be sitting here right now. I'm sure, Jace."

"I'm glad, babe," Jace told her. He checked his watch. "I have all-day rehearsal tomorrow, I should probably go and sleep a little."

"Yeah, I should probably head back, too."

They both stood up and hugged. "I'll see you soon, Kasey, alright?" Jace said.

"Of course. Love you."

"Remember to talk to Carleigh sometime soon."

"I will," Kasey promised. "I'll do it in a few days. Just in case you change your mind."

"I won't, but okay."