Page 12 of Come to Me

Like I don't know that.

"Did his first choice drop out?" I ask.

"He fired his Blanche this afternoon. You're his first choice for a replacement."

"What happened?"

"Artistic differences, drug addiction. Who cares? You're a TV actor. You're not getting another chance to appear on Broadway unless you learn to sing and dance."

Corine is always so supportive.

"I want to," I offer carefully.

She groans.

"Don't tell me-- your boyfriend wouldn't like it?"

"You know I'm not with Ryan anymore."

"Yes. I found out through the gossip blogs. But your tone tells me this new guy is still holding you back somehow." She sighs. "You're a stronger woman than this. You shouldn't let men run your life, Alyssa."

"I'm not. I want to spend time with him. If he knew, he'd tell me to take it. He'll actually be upset if he finds out I turned it down."

"Really?" Her voice hums with delight. Another angle she can use to try to convince me to agree.

"Don't even think about it," I warn. "I want to do it, but I've barely seen him for the last two months. We've been so busy." I shake my head, not finding any way around this. "I need a few weeks off. We have a trip planned..."

"So come to New York instead," she urges. "It's only a six month engagement."

That's quite a run for a revival play. And too long to be away from Luke.

"I can't," I murmur, regret filling me. "I'll miss him too much."

"I'll tell them you're considering it," she says firmly.

"Corine, no. Not this time."

"Darling. It's Wednesday. I'll promise them an answer by Friday evening."

"I'm not going to change my mind," I tell her, just as firmly.

"Sure. No pressure. Sleep on it. Dream about the Tony you'll place on your mantle."

I shake my head.

I can't dream about anything. Six months is far too long to be away from Luke. Things are so good right now. It's not worth taking the risk.

Not for anything.

* * *

I'm relievedwhen Luke isn't home.

It gives me time to compose myself so he doesn't immediately know I'm hiding something.

God, I shouldn't be so secretive. He's not Ryan. He's not going to hold it against me.

But he'll get so excited. He'll offer to come with me and completely throw the six months he's spent building a business out the window.