a dream that you wish | kasey winslow |

Chapter 73

When Kasey got back to the apartment after the show, Jace was there. He didn't seem super upset, just quiet.

"These nominations were weird," Jace commented over hot chocolate. "I don't know. Something's off. I thought for sure Frozen would keep pace with Spongebob, but we swept you guys out."

"I know," Kasey said tiredly. She turned to face her fiance. "I'm just bothered by Gary's directing nomination, that's all."

"That should not have happened. I'm hoping that they pull his nomination and replace him with someone else. It's not right."

"My thoughts, exactly."

"And you deserved a nomination," Jace continued emphatically. "If I didn't get one, I wanted you to get one."

"Thanks, babe, but I'm over it. That's not what I'm really worried about right now. I'm more concerned about Gary."

"Maybe there's something we can do about it."

"I doubt it, that's not a decision that would happen lightly. Overturning the nominations is a big deal. I think they'll just not let him win the award."

"He wouldn't win, let's be real," Jace reminded her. "His directing style is awful. Everyone knows it."

Kasey laughed. "True."

"Have you thought about when you want the wedding to be?"

She was taken slightly off guard by Jace's question. "I haven't thought about it, no. But definitely not a summer wedding. It's too hot."

"I'm glad we agree about that," Jace said, smiling.

"Fall or winter. And I don't want to wait too long. People who draw out the date for their wedding are just crazy," Kasey continued. "Why wait?"

"True," Jace agreed. 

"I know I want Carleigh to be my maid of honor."

"Not surprised," Jace laughed. "I thought that would be the case. And if you're okay with it, I want my brother as best man."

"Of course," Kasey said instantly. 

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

For a few days, grumblings about the Tony awards punctuated daily conversation in the Frozen cast. Most people weren't really complaining about the lack of nominations, more that Gary was nominated. He didn't deserve it at all. 

"Hey, Kasey," Tristan Pollito, the media director, knocked on her dressing room door. "I just wanted to tell you and Jess that we contacted the Tony committee about Gary's nomination. We're seeing if we can get it pulled."

Kasey breathed a sigh. "That's good, I think," she said. "It would make the cast happier, I think." 

"I thought so, too, and the other directors agreed with me. It would make them feel better about not getting nominated."

That night, after the show, Tristan reappeared in Kasey's dressing room as she was taking her mic out of her hair.

"The Tony committee contacted me back. They'll be announcing the withdraw of Gary's nomination in a few days."

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

After the show, Kasey met up with Carleigh. It was the first time she'd seen her best friend since Jace's proposal.

"I can't believe you're engaged," Carleigh exclaimed, hugging Kasey tightly.

"I can't, either," Kasey admitted. "It's honestly really strange. It feels like we just met, you know? But at the same time I feel like I've known him my entire life."

"I know what you mean," Carleigh said. "Did you know that he asked me for permission?"

Kasey shook her head. "No, not until now. That's so sweet, though. I can't believe he didn't tell me he did that."

"He showed up at my door all awkward and nervous," Carleigh laughed. "I didn't know what was going on at first, but then I kind of figured it out. He showed me your ring, too."

Kasey glanced down at her ring. It was weird to be wearing one, but Jace had somehow picked a perfect ring, so it wasn't a big deal. It was simple but elegant, with a flower design. The diamond sat in the middle of the flower.

"I actually don't wear it that much," Kasey admitted. "With the shows, and everything. He knows that. I usually just keep it in my dressing room in a little container, so I don't lose it."

"I feel like I would forget to take it off."

"It's happened, but now I have a little sign that reminds me to take it off before I walk out the door," Kasey laughed. "And you know that I want you to be my maid of honor. It's not even a debate. Jace agrees. But only if you want to."

Carleigh hugged Kasey tightly. "Of course I want to, you're my best friend, Kasey."

Kasey's phone lit up with an email and she quickly checked it. She had to take a second glance, stunned at the contents of the message.

"What's wrong?" Carleigh asked concernedly, seeing Kasey's expression.

"Here, I'll read it out loud to you," Kasey said quickly. "'Due to unprecedented circumstances, a series of Tony nominations will be announced in two days on May 7, 2018. Several previous nominations will be exempted from eligibility. These exemptions will not be made public. As one of the eligible shows for this year's nominations, your show remains up for the second series of nominations. Thank you.'"

"What?!" Carleigh exclaimed. "What does that even mean?"

"I don't know."

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

pictured above- kasey's engagement ring