Trapped

Chapter 40: BEFORE

Chapter Forty:

The theater play.

—

MY INSIDES ARE fluttering non-stop.

Normally concentrating on my passion is enough to distract me from anything. It’s helped me through so many things in life to be able to pick up a paintbrush and lose myself in it, but tonight all I can see is Warren’s winning smile and his floppy brown hair as he leans close and whispers in my ear.

What did I ever do to draw his attention?

I have absolutely no idea why he’s interested in me, but I’ll be damned if I let this opportunity pass. Something in the air sparked when we were chatting yesterday, and I can’t wait to see him again and learn more about him.

Maybe I’ll get close enough to place the inherently masculine cologne he was wearing yesterday, If I’m lucky.

He’s easy to spot, a hunk of muscle and cute, floppy hair sat in the middle of the chairs arranged in front of the stage. I looked around, half-expecting to swoop in and steal him before I could get there.

Although there’s no one.

“Hi,” I said, settling into the seat behind him.

Warren turned around swiftly and as soon as he caught a glimpse of me, he grinned and I melted. “Hey,” he replied.

“I’m glad you’re here.” Something about him makes me want to be honest, even if that meant being a lot more forward than I normally would be with a guy.

“You’re going to be more glad when you’ve had a chance to watch this.” He slid a DVD case over me as if it’s some highly illegal contraband. “See, you can tell it’s legitimate, this thing isn’t even on a USB stick.”

I let out a laugh, joining him in the conspiracy and sliding it into my purse while making a very obvious attempt to keep it hidden.

Across the room, Julie points at him, then does an I’m watching you gesture.

We both dissolved into giggles, and warmth overwhelmed me. I was so worried about meeting him where everyone knew everyone, but the welcome I’ve received has been amazing. It feels like so much more of a home.

“Do you normally come to the show?” I inquired. “I think it’s great that it’s something they do every year.”

“I normally volunteer to be on call,” Warren admitted. “Most of the guys have families, and I like to make sure they get the night off. The kids in the play make their evening.”

“Oh, I hope I didn’t steal you away from doing your good deed.” Though part of me flushes a little at the thought that he would stick his neck out to be here with me tonight.

He waved a hand. “No, don’t worry about that. We’ve had some new blood this year, so they’ve volunteered to take this evening. It’s not like we don’t have our phones if something urgent comes in.”

I relaxed again with his words. “Great. Well, thank you for being here.”

“Nothing could have convinced me to pass up the opportunity of seeing you again.”

My cheeks turned scarlet, and my heart hammered in my chest at the raw sincerity in her expression as he said those words. I don’t doubt him for a second, even though I would have never imagined a guy this handsome would ever have been interested in me.

I reached forward, brushing my arm against his as I leaned forward and grabbed something from my purse. “I brought you a gift.”

His eyes shone in delight, and I could see the gesture touched him.

Running my hands through my hair, I added. “Don’t get excited,” I warned with a laugh. “It’s definitely not going to be as special as I think watching that DVD will be. It’s just something silly.”

Bringing out the tiny canvas from my bag, Warren’s eyes glimmered in adoration. It’s only a couple of inches by a couple of inches, and I feel a little silly now I’ve mentioned it as I passed it over.

The scene is a very small, basic Christmas scene. A Christmas tree covered in lights and baubles in the window of my apartment. “It was inspired by my immense relief when I got home last night and my apartment has in fact not burned down even though I left the lights on all day while I was out. I was tempted to paint it on fire, but I thought you might rather not have a reminder of such circumstances.

He beamed at me, holding it closer to his face so he could see all the detail. “This is really amazing. I have no idea how you can get so much into such a small amount of fabric.” He leaned toward me suddenly and brushed a feather-light kiss against my cheek. “Thank you, chandria. I really love it.”

“It was just something silly,” I tried to downplay, as fire pounded through my veins and I held back the urge to turn at just the right angle to meld my lips against his.

“No, it’s not silly. It’s beautiful.” He leaned close again, this time next to my ear. “Like you.”

I can’t resist turning this time, brushing my nose against his. I think the whole world has disappeared apart from the two os us as my heart pounded in my chest, but then the theater erupted in applause and the show begins.

The play itself is charming and sweet. They opted for a classic nativity this year, and I love the way it has roles for everyone to het involved. It brings everyone together, including the people behind the scene. The curtain that falls in between scenes has been sewn with intricate designs by the lasy I’ve become close friends with over the course of the preparations. There’s a small band in the corner of a soundtrack, and a choir that sings hymns and modern Christmas songs at appropriate intervals.

My artwork features heavily, too. The backdrop oto the birth of the baby Jesus is my large mural, and it looks incredible, if I do say so myself. I threw myself into this whole project, and I want to glow with pride seeing it up there.

I can’t stop myself from glowing when Warren brushes his hands against my leg so I don’t jump when he leaned close and said, “It really brought the whale thing together. Your art made that scene.”