Big Apple Dreams Read online

  “So, how have you been since we last saw each other?” I asked after I’d swallowed my first bite.

  “The same,” he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “I work a lot.” He laughed easily, his eyes twinkling as he smiled at me.

  “At least you like your job. It could be a lot worse,” I mused.

  “Do you not like yours?”

  “Well, obviously I’d rather be working as an actress, but you have to do what you can to survive. I don’t mind being a waitress. It pays the bills, but that’s all it is really.”

  “What would you do if you didn’t want to be an actress?”

  “Um . . .” I took another bite as I thought about it, trying to settle on one specific thing. “You know, acting is such a huge part of who I am. I don’t even know what I would do. I don’t think I’d be the same person at all.”

  Chris nodded as he looked at his watch, chewing his last bite. A quick look at the sky seemed to confirm his thoughts.

  “The show will be starting soon. Are you ready to move this party inside?”

  “Absolutely,” I laughed.

  I wrapped my food back up, placing it in the carton and sliding it back into the takeout bag.

  Following him inside, I marveled as I took in the view once more. The lights of the city were like stars in space, glittering out their own stories and lives.

  Chris opened a closet I hadn’t noticed before and pulled out a blanket, along with a bottle of wine and some glasses.

  “I stopped by earlier to drop this off,” he laughed. “I was hoping you’d agree to go out on such short notice.”

  He laid the cover on the floor, close to the window, and sat on it, motioning for me to join him.

  A bright explosion took over the sky in front of us as I did, the fireworks beginning.

  “This is beautiful,” I said, excepting the glass of wine he’d poured for me.

  “It is,” he agreed. “I always feel so patriotic, watching them with Lady Liberty in the frame.”

  “In all of the time I spent wanting to live here, I never even thought of things like this. It was always about the theatres and the music. I somehow managed to let other special and important things slip by.”

  “You went on that sight-seeing weekend,” he said, defending me. “I think you have your eye on the prize, that’s all. There’s nothing wrong with running right for your dreams.”

  “Thanks,” I laughed.

  The display in front of us continued on majestically, the very picture of an American celebration. We both fell silent as we watched, only commenting on the colors occasionally.

  “You know,” Chris said after a long pause. “I’ve never asked a girl out for a second date so quickly before.”

  “Really?” I turned to look at him, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged, his gaze noticeably falling to my lips. “There’s something about you that I really like and want to know more about. I can’t seem to pinpoint it, though.”

  “Oh.”

  My breath caught, my body guessing at what was about to happen and waiting eagerly to be proven right.

  Chris set his glass down and scooted closer to me, taking my own glass and setting it next to his. I couldn’t read any emotion on his face as his eyes flicked from my mouth back up to my eyes, searching for something in my own face.

  Butterflies filled my stomach as his hand raised and caressed my face, his thumb rubbing the corner of my mouth. I leaned in instinctively, melting under his touch as his hot breath washed over my face.

  When our lips touched, it was hesitant, scared almost. As we both realized the other really wanted this level of intimacy, it seemed our walls crumbled around us, leaving the emotions free to be expressed.

  I scooted myself closer, laying my hand over the top of his where it held my face. He broke away for a second, a smile on his features, before moving back in and kissing me with more strength.

  His other hand took hold of my face, as well, and I could feel the pounding of his heart as I rested my hand on his chest.

  I had never been kissed like I was now. It could have been because I hadn’t been kissed all that much, but something told me that Chris was just excellent at doing it. My own heart pounded and my breath escaped me as his lips met with mine over and over again.

  After a few minutes, he broke away again, light laughter accompanying his sparkling eyes.

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah,” I agreed, reveling in the touch of our hands joining once more.

  “I didn’t mean to get so carried away,” he said, embarrassed.

  “I didn’t mind.” I smiled, squeezing his hand.

  The fireworks outside slowly stopped and faded away, much like the pounding of my heart as we sat in silence once more, admiring the view still laid out before us.

  Chapter Seven

  “Big day, right?” Lizzy said as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “Auditions,” I said with a laugh. “They lead up to the big days. Today is . . . practice.”

  “How do you do it?” she chortled.

  “Do what?”

  “How do you go out and give it your all at these auditions, knowing that you could never hear a word back from anyone about it? I mean, you could have given the best performance of your life and only three people saw it. Doesn’t that make you frustrated?”

  “It’s part of the job. I’d get the part if I gave the performance of my life, though.”

  I smiled at her and pulled my blue shirt down over my tank top, flipping my hair over my shoulder as I finished.

  Despite what I’d said, it still felt like a game changer day. I had two auditions for small, off Broadway shows today. The air hummed with an energy that pushed me forward eagerly, promising positive outcomes to my goals.

  “Well, I’d better get going,” I said, turning away from the mirror on the wardrobe.

  Lizzy smiled from her spot on the couch she’d settled into after leaving the kitchen.

  “Good lu—I mean, break a leg!”

  “Thanks,” I laughed.

  I walked out the door, my messenger bag hanging off one shoulder and a banana in one hand. My sneakers padded down the carpeted hall and I slid my phone into the pocket of my jeans, the excitement of another audition pulsing through my veins.

  Surely there won’t be so many people this time, I thought as I exited the building and headed down the street.

  As usual, people crowded the sidewalks, each lost in their own world. I soon became absorbed in peeling and eating my breakfast, the words to my monologue skipping through my mind at different beats.

  The subway ride was much the same, as usual. I still loved everything around me. The city was like a fine wine, only getting better with time. The only thing I regretted was not getting there sooner. Every morning I woke up and felt like jumping for joy because my life’s dreams and ambitions were coming true all around me.

  I realized I was unprepared for the audition location when I finally arrived at the building. The last one had been at a nice studio building, created specifically for the purpose of theatre work. This one looked like it had been everything from a whore house to a law firm.

  “Auditions three floors up, red door,” I read off the paper taped to the glass window in the door.

  With a sigh and a nod, I pushed the door open and walked through the threshold, eyeing the worn staircase in front of me.

  Something is better than nothing, I reasoned. If they ask you to take your clothes off, just leave. Better safe than sorry.

  In a few moments, I found myself before the red, paint peeled door. Another sign read “Auditions here.” I didn’t know if I should knock, or just walk in.

  A muffled male voice pressed through the wood and before I could move, the entrance swung open.

  “Evan?”

  Lizzy’s brother stared at me blankly for a second before breaking out into a huge smile.
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br />   “Mara! What are you doing here?”

  “I came for the audition.”

  Confusion jolted my brain as I tried to make sense of why Evan, the techie for big Broadway shows, was at an audition being held in the birth place of syphilis.

  “Of course, you did,” he laughed, not noticing my questioning look. “My friend Steph wrote the show. I told her I’d come help out with stuff throughout the day. I’m on a coffee run, now. Do you want anything?”

  “Oh,” I said, relaxing some. “No thank you, actually.”

  “Your loss,” he said with a warm smile. “The café on the corner has the best joe in the city.”

  “Maybe after I’m done,” I said with my own smile.

  “Break a leg,” he said as he stepped around me and headed down the stairs.

  “Evan?” a female voice snapped from inside the room.

  I turned just in time to see one of the most beautiful women I’d ever laid eyes on. Her blonde hair was plied elegantly on her head, a tight, black dress hugging her paper thin, pale form. I was pretty sure if she turned sideways I wouldn’t even be able to see her any more. Suddenly, I noticed her matching, thigh high boots were tapping on the floor impatiently as she glared at me.

  “I’m sorry,” I stumbled, shaking my head. “I didn’t hear what you said.”

  “And you are?” she asked impatiently.

  “Mara,” I said holding my hand out. “I’m here to audition for the show.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said without moving. “How old are you?”

  “Twenty t—”

  “You’re too young. Thanks for coming.” She turned and went back into the room, shutting the door in my face.

  I stood there for a moment, shocked into a silent and unmoving state. I’d never been treated so rudely by someone at an audition before.

  Part of me wanted to throw the door open again and demand to be seen or at least receive an apology. My work ethic told me to not even dare though. There was no telling who the woman knew and could tell that I’d acted in such a manner. Everything in the performing world was about who you knew and first impression were always the most remembered, even if they weren’t true to who you really were.

  Slowly, I turned and walked down the stairs, disappointed at being treated so and having wasted what could have been a successful audition time for another show.

  As I exited the building and took in fresh air, I caught sight of Evan heading back from his errand run. Again, I wondered how many of Lizzy’s friends had fallen for him over the years. He was the only guy I’d ever seen who could wear a simple black shirt and jeans and could still make every woman on the street turn and watch him walk away.

  “Done so soon?” he asked as he got closer and recognized me once again.

  “I guess so,” I said with a frown.

  “Oh no,” he said, his lips turning down as well. “Let me guess. Steph took one look at you and told you to scram.”

  “Yes,” I said with cautious surprise. “How did you know?”

  “You’re the third one this morning,” he said with an apologetic smile. “We were fighting about the first two right before you showed up. Knowing Steph, she probably sent you away just to spite me. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s no big deal,” I said with a shrug, not wanting to make him feel bad.

  “Sure it is,” he laughed. “I know you actresses. You could have been somewhere that was more productive for you. I can see you thinking that right now.”

  “It’s fine,” I said, embarrassed.

  “Wait here for a minute,” he said, nodding to the doorway next to us. “I’ll drop these off and then come back and get you some. As an apology.”

  “You don’t have to, really,” I protested.

  “I insist.” He waited for me to nod in agreement before sliding past me and heading to his original destination. “Great! I’ll only be a few minutes.”

  He quickly disappeared into the building, his fun personality leaving a smile on my face. True to his word, he was back by my side within what felt like seconds. We walked the short distance to the coffee shop and sat down at a small, corner table with our cups.

  “So, Mara,” Even said with a grin. “What do you think of my Lizzy? Has she driven you insane, yet?”

  “Not at all,” I laughed. “I like her very much. She’s like the sister I never had.”

  “Great, now I have two sisters in the city to take care of,” he laughed. “I hope you have more money sense than she does.”

  “She doesn’t seem that bad,” I giggled defensively.

  “Whatever. Lizzy would spend every cent she had on a run down, rat infested, tiny restaurant as long as it meant she got to sell her kitchen concoctions to the public.”

  “So you mean your audition venue,” I said with a grin, watching him choke on the sip of coffee he’d just swigged.

  “I didn’t pick that place,” he laughed, wiping his face with a napkin. “That was all Steph. I kept telling her that she needed somewhere nicer, or everyone would think she was a creeper, but she didn’t want to spend any more money on it. That’s part of why we were fighting about her sending people away without seeing their audition. I can’t imagine that very many people will come inside once they see the place. I mean, a job is a job, but you can definitely tell what ones will hurt your resume more than help.”

  “Are you only helping because she’s your friend then?” I asked innocently.

  “Something like that,” he said, staring at the table for a moment. “I helped set up the call, so it would look professional and draw more people in. That’s about all she’s let me do.” His eyes came back to mine and he smiled again. “If she wants to sabotage herself, then I guess that’s her deal.”

  “Oh my gosh,” I said, the situation finally dawning on me. “You guys are dating!”

  “No,” he rushed, an embarrassed smile gracing his face. “Not any more, at least.”

  “You’re in on some of the writing, right?”

  “I did help a little, yeah.”

  “That makes more sense,” I mused, sitting back and sipping my coffee.

  “The idea was mine. She did all the writing, though. I’m not good at stuff like that. I work better with my hands.”

  “I’m sure that’s why she liked you,” I teased, blushing at my own boldness.

  “A true sister indeed,” he laughed. “You and Lizzy will be very happy together, I’m sure.”

  “Why thank you,” I said in mock haughtiness as my phone went off. “Excuse me,” I laughed, pulling it from my pocket and smiling when I saw the picture of the person calling.

  “Hey, Chris,” I said excitedly.

  “You sound beautiful this morning,” he said smoothly.

  “Whatever,” I said, blushing.

  “So what are you doing tonight?”

  “Two dates, two days in a row? Are you sure I like you that much?”

  Evan rolled his eyes and took another sip of his coffee, looking around the room while he waited for me to finish.

  “I’m a man who knows what he wants,” Chris laughed. “I had a great time last night.”

  “I did too,” I said softly, embarrassed that Evan was getting to hear our conversation, even if it was just my side.

  “So, what do you think? Do you like me enough to go out two nights in a row?”

  “Sure,” I giggled.

  “Great.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “What time works for you?”

  “I’ll call you after I finish my audition. Is that okay?”

  “Of course.”

  “All right, I’ll talk to you then.”

  “Was that The Boy Toy?” Evan drawled out as I hung up and put my phone away.

  “The what?” I laughed.

  “That’s what Lizzy called him last night. The Boy Toy. She didn’t tell you?”

  “We’ve lived together for less than twenty four hours,” I laughed. “Several of which I spent with Chris
, so no, she didn’t tell me.” I blushed, thinking about the kiss I’d experienced the night before.

  “Well, act surprised when she does, or I’ll be in trouble,” he chortled.

  “Will do,” I said with a smile. “I’m sorry to run off, but I want to get to my next audition. Thank you for the coffee.”

  “Not a problem for my new sister.”

  “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

  “Never. Lizzy will be thrilled that you called her that. She always wanted a sister. You’re going to end up stuck with her.”

  “I think I could handle that,” I laughed.

  “I’ll see you around, Mara,” he said, rising from his seat as well.

  “Have fun with Steph,” I teased.

  “Ha ha,” he said sarcastically. “Have fun on your date.”

  You can’t know for sure that they didn’t like you.

  The subway car rocked back and forth as we raced through the tunnels under the city. I sat in a corner seat, headphones in as I ignored everyone around me.

  My second audition of the day didn’t feel like it’d gone much better than the first.

  At least you were seen, I comforted myself. Why do you feel like they didn’t want you there?

  Maybe it was because I hadn’t done my absolute best. Could it have been because I wasn’t the prettiest, or skinniest, girl in the room? There was a possibility I felt bad because the people I sang for hadn’t even looked at me.

  You need to stay positive. The parts will come as long as you work hard and don’t give up. Every actor knows that auditions are part of the job. They’ll do more of them than anything else. It’s ridiculous to think you’ll be cast in every show you try out for. This isn’t small town community theatre—this is the big leagues.

  Before I’d moved to the city, I’d had a heart to heart with myself about what could happen. My heart sank whenever I thought about it. I imagined myself working at Olive Garden forever, in perpetual jealousy of everyone who got to work on Broadway.

  It’s better to stay positive, I reaffirmed.

  The train stopped at my station and I trudged off, not really feeling like going on the date I’d agreed on.