Page 115 of When Ben Loved Jace

She rushes toward me while reaching out.“This must be love because I still want more!”

I leap off the crate, dancing toward the stage as I continue to sing, ending up on my knees as I belt out the final line.

“Heart like a hotel. Room for one more? Hunger in harmony. She’s the one that I adoooooore!”

Applause breaks the spell, or more accurately, a single personclapping. I assume that it’s Allison, until I glance over. Brian is standing next to her, his expression stunned. I quickly get to my feet.

“You’re hired!” he says, walking over to me with a hand extended. “You must be Ben.”

I laugh awkwardly while shaking it. “Nice to meet you.”

“That was fromPauper’s Bliss, right?” he says, not letting go. “The stage version. That song didn’t make the movie because they dropped the love triangle aspect. And ruined the entire spirit of the story.”

“Okay,” I say, leaning to the side so I can see Allison. “I like him already. It’s just too bad that he’s gay.”

Brian laughs. “Straight mendoexist in the world of theater,” he says. “Even though we’re exceptionally rare.”

“Are you sure about that?” I ask, nodding to our hands, which are still clasped.

He lets go of me with an embarrassed titter, his pale cheeks flushing. “Sorry, I just—”

“Have terrible taste!” Allison says when joining us. “Where’s my job offer?”

“You know I love your voice,” Brain says, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her close for a snuggle. He has a teddy bear sort of vibe. “I just have too much respect for your career to try and lure you away.”

“Aww!” she says, before smooching him. “Great answer.”

“So what did you think?” Brian asks, looking back and forth between us.

“It was fantastic!” I rave. “I really wanted the main characters to get together. That carrot was dangling until the very end.”

Allison nods her agreement. “We were going to have words if you didn’t give them a happy ending.”

Brian lights up. “Really? That’s great! I actually wrote an entirely different third act that was about their life together. They originally got married at the end of the second act, but I felt like the production lost steam once they did.”

“Wait, youwrotethe script?” I ask in surprise.

Brian nods, his expression sheepish. “I’m an amateur playwright."

“Ain’t nothin’ amateur about it,” Allison says, swatting his rump. “Did you hear that applause?”

“It’s only my second production,” he says dismissively.

“Could have fooled me,” I chime in.

“Really? That’s so kind of you both. I still feel like such a fraud. If I didn’t own the theater, the play would probably never have seen the light of day. Or um… the light of a weekday evening.”

“You’ve gotta make your own opportunities,” Allison says encouragingly.

I’m fascinated by their dynamic. Not only does Brian’s appearance not match what I was imagining, but his demeanor is totally different too. I thought he’d be confident and cool, guiding Allison through her recovery with a detached air while avoiding her advances. Instead he’s lovably vulnerable.

“Fake it ‘til you make it,” I tell him. “I felt like a con artist when showing up at the hospital for my first shift. I didn’t have any medical training. Speech pathology wasn’t part of my education, but I seem to have a knack for it anyway. When I’m actually doing the work, all my doubt fades into the background.”

“That’s how it feels when I write,” Brian says, nodding eagerly, “like I’m in the zone. Speaking of which, you sure took to the stage with ease.”

I point at myself. “Who me?”

“Yes, you, Mr. False Humility,” Allison says. “We didn’t win second place at a high school talent show by chance!”