“Yeah.” I tug on the sleeve of my sweater. “I guess I could invite him.” Zayne frowns at my words. But I meet his gaze and add, “The three of us do have scenes together.”
Zayne wrinkles his nose, and as if by magic, Carton brushes past us, lunch tray in hand and a stony expression on his face. He’s still ignoring me, but I can tell by the bunching of his shoulders that he sees me standing here. With Zayne.
“Carlton.” I grab his arm.
He stops walking and pulls his arm out of my grasp, but finally,finally, turns to look at me. “What?”
It takes me a moment to speak because I can’t believe he’s acknowledging me, let alone actually talking to me. “Oh. Um. We’re—I mean, Zayne and I are going to run lines after school.” I pause, letting the uncertainty of my own statement ring in my ears.
“That’s great, Dot,” he seethes. “I’m really happy for you.” Glaring at Zayne, he starts to walk away again, but I stop him.
“Want to come? You know, since we all have scenes together?”
He blinks several times, like he never considered the fact that the three of us would eventually be forced together into an interaction like rehearsal, due to the play. “Sure.” Carlton shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “Sure, I guess that makes sense.”
“Boston Public Garden. Four o’ clock.” Zayne’s tone is clipped.
Carlton nods once. He looks at me for less than a full second before brushing past us to his lunch table.
Mabel cringes. “Well, that was awkward.”
But her words don’t register. I stare after Carlton as he walks away, a bud of hope beginning to blossom in my chest. He actually talked to me. And not only that, but he agreed to meet with me and Zayne. Together!
This is probably my last chance to prove to Carlton I care more about him than the play, than the lead role. That there’s nothing going on between me and Zayne. Once he sees us together and notices my interactions with Zayne are purely limited to running lines and responding sarcastically to his dry personality, he’ll be convinced. And then it won’t matter what Little Birdie writes about me anymore. It won’t matter what anyone thinks, in fact.
Because I will fix this. I will fix all of it.
Chapter Ten
The rest of the day passes uneventfully. When I get home from school, I change into a sweater dress, tights, and boots and work on my homework until it’s time to meet Carlton and Zayne.
I send Carlton a text before I leave the house.
Me
Want to ride together?
I know I’m probably pushing my luck, but maybe his willingness to run lines with me and Zayne isn’t the only concession he’ll offer me today.
Carlton
No. I’ll meet you there. Have some errands to run first.
Errands? What could he possibly have to doright now?
It doesn’t matter, Dot, I remind myself.You’re not his keeper, or even his girlfriend.I throw my script in my bag, along with a water bottle, and try to push my annoyance away as I open the front door.
Beau frowns from the kitchen table. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere.”
“You’re going on a date, aren’t you?” He takes in my outfit, which is perhaps a bit more formal than necessary.
I tug on the hem in discomfort. “No. I’m just going to meet Carlton. And Zayne.” When his expression shifts from mild curiosity to bafflement, I add, “We have to rehearse.”
“Uh huh.”
“Shut up, Beau.” I glare at him before storming out the door.
