How 'Bout A Dance?

Chapter 7

The next week of rehearsal flew by in a haze of learning lines, memorizing blocking, and dealing with drunken pub patrons. By Friday, Grace was exhausted from working and from rehearsal. She had just barely managed to escape a leering customer at the bar when she was allowed to clock out. She wiped her hands on her apron after she hung it up, just in time to meet Rosa outside.

"How was your shift?"

"Mmmm," Grace groaned. "Could've been better."

Rosa wrapped an arm around Grace's shoulders.

"Don't worry; one day when you're a big Broadway star you won't have to do that anymore."

Grace burst out laughing, and after a beat Rosa did too.

The pair reached the station and boarded the first F train heading into Manhattan. With a thirty minute train ride ahead of them, Grace searched her mind for something to say. Beside her, Rosa took a sip from her water bottle.

"So. You have a crush on my roommate," she said bluntly.

Rosa turned completely red and nearly spit out her mouthful of water.

"I wouldn't go that far..." she mumbled after swallowing.

"I would. Dinner with you guys last week was giving me insane third wheel vibes."

Rosa didn't say anything, her face still brilliantly red. She stared at her lap.

"In case you were wondering, it's not weird to me. I actually think it's really cute," Grace said.

"Really? Are you sure it's not weird?" Rosa asked without looking up.

"I'm sure. But just give me a heads up if you ever spend the night."

Rosa giggled nervously, her embarrassment quickly fading.

They relaxed into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, before Rosa started talking again.

"So, you're working 'How Bout A Dance' today, right?"

"Yeah."

"Nervous?"

"Should I be?"

"I'm nervous for working 'That's What You Call A Dream,' so, I would understand if you were. It's a lot of pressure."

"That is true," Grace said thoughtfully. "I don't think I'm nervous, though?"

"That's good! Well, I'm looking forward to seeing it."

The two chatted for the rest of the train ride and the short walk to the theatre. They got there about fifteen minutes early, just ahead of Ajay, who looked thoroughly disheveled and stressed out.

He gave both of them a half-hearted smile as he made his way into the theatre, his eyes lingering on Grace a little longer than normal. Grace felt herself blush under his gaze, but she shrugged it off. She told herself it was probably just old habit.

She and Rosa changed and met back up onstage to start warming up. Kevin walked over to join them.

"Hey guys," he greeted them, sounding exhausted.

"Long day?" asked Grace.

"Yeah, kind of. Had a crappy shift this morning, then had a horrible date."

"Date? Someone new, or were you dating someone?" Rosa asked.

"Oh, someone new. I decided I'd been in Single Land too long, trying to get back out there."

"I hear that," Grace said. "Good for you. What made the date bad, though?"

"I dunno, I guess he and I just didn't have good chemistry. Just didn't work out, and I was hoping it would."