Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Liv clears her throat, and when I catch her eyes, she doesn’t appear amused. Shit. We didn’t tell my dad the same story. When a guy bumps into me, I lean toward Liv, and whisper, “It’s okay.”
I’m not sure if it’s my words or the wine that eases her worries, but the straight of her back loosens her posture.
My mom says, “I’ve met your mother. Trudy is just a dream to work with on a project. So kind and lovely.”
“Thank you,” Liv says, smiling. “She said the same about you.”
“My daughters-in-law are in the city, and both are very active in philanthropy. Maybe we can have a ladies' lunch the next time I’m in town?”
“Sounds wonderful. Noah has my number.”
The chimes echo through the theater, so we make our way back to our seats. The play begins promptly on time. I’m sucked in by the acting, especially when my sister says her big soliloquy before falling to the floor in a heap for the reaper to collect.
The social commentary in the storyline lands the ending like an Olympic gold medalist and earns the actors a ten-minute standing ovation.
Liv leans over. “Your sister was amazing.”
“She was.” I’m happy for Marina. Broadway is not the same as being Beacon’s shining star, but I have no doubt she’ll achieve her dreams. And we’ll be right there supporting her every step of the way.
Once the theater clears, we head backstage. My mom knocks on her dressing room door. “It’s us, Marina.”
“Come in.”
Delta opens the door and goes straight in for a hug. “So proud of you. It was another incredible performance.”
“Again, Mom?” Marina rolls her eyes over her mom’s shoulder, causing Liv and me to laugh. “I thought you and Dad had plans.”
“We did, but I couldn’t miss your last performance here at the university.” She stands back, taking her daughter in. “I’ll miss seeing you every night once you’re in New York.”
“You’re the best, Mom, but I’m glad Dad isn’t here, or I would have been a teary mess the entire performance.”
She finally looks at me in that bothersome little sister way she honed years ago and playfully shoves me. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I saw you in the audience and forgot my line, you jerk.”
I chuckle, giving her the flowers and then a good hug. “No one noticed.”
When she eyes my mom, my mom says, “I only noticed because I know all of your lines.”
Marina face-palms herself. Laughing, she looks up, her eyes set on Liv. “She’s done this my whole life.” My sister’s long hair is crimped from being in a wig, and her makeup is over the top for the stage, but she’s beaming as she smells the flowers. “Thank you for these. Are you going to introduce me, Noah?”
“Hi, I’m Liv. You were simply amazing in the play. That wake scene had me tearing up.”
“Oh,” my sister says, her hand covering her chest. “That’s so sweet. Thank you. I’m Marina.” She moves in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
Marina gives me a wink of approval. I chuckle and find myself rolling my eyes. All of them are rubbing off on me now. My sister says, “You’re very beautiful, Liv. How did my brother get so lucky?”
She turns to look at him to catch me shaking my head. I laugh, but say, “You don’t have to answer that.”
“Phew.” She’s still laughing. “That’s definitely a story for another time.”
My mom moves in to give my sister another hug. “I need to get home, but you were so wonderful, honey. Congrats on the show.” She turns her attention to me. “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks?”
“Yes, I’ll be there.” With Liv and Max, my son. I’d love to tell her everything but bite my tongue. Taking Liv’s hand, I hold it.
Marina doesn’t miss the gesture. “Are you guys staying, or do you need to get back to the city?”
“Unfortunately, we do need to get going.”
She gives me another hug. “It means a lot that you came out to see me.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it.”
To Liv, she says, “Hopefully, we’ll see each other soon. I’d love to chat with you.”
“I’d like that too,” Liv replies.
“Bye, sis. Love you.”
She walks out the door with us. Glancing over my shoulder, I smirk. I get a matching one in return. Her laughter fills the corridor. “Love you, too, big brother.”
I move my hand to Liv’s lower back, opening the stage door for her to exit. She walks outside and then stops to let me catch up. “Your family can’t be real.”
Chuckling, I ask, “Why is that?”
“They’re so nice.”
They are. “I miss seeing them.”
“I would too if they were my family.” I hold her close, knowing that as much as she enjoyed meeting my family, it’s a stark reminder of her own. I hear great things about her mom, but yeah, her dad is toxic.