The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0407

After we each reviewed our individual scripts for a few minutes, we began to have our first rehearsal. We didn’t have a stage yet. The actors in the scene just stood in the center of the ballroom with everyone else gathered around in front.

We did a dry run through the entire play with Nathan doing his best to direct everyone if Bridget was busy with her scene. She was in most scenes, as the lead. Nicholas was in several as well, though he seemed much less happy about that.

He wore a frown most of the time, even when Bridget told him, “Your character isn’t supposed to be this glum, Nicholas.”

Julian as the main antagonist, also had quite a few scenes. Between line reads, he would try to start conversations with Bridget, usually by lavishing her with compliments.

“You did so well in that last scene, Bridget. I almost believed you were your character,” he said once.

Each time, she had a different short reply. This time, she said, “Almost?’ Seems like I need to try harder then.” Then she turned her back to him to talk to Nicholas instead.

Julian’s smirk wavered. “That’s not what I meant,” he said, though she was no longer paying attention to him. With his shoulders slightly slumped, he exited the fake-stage area and came to stand beside me. “You didn’t see that, did you?”

“Sorry,” I told him. “We can pretend I didn’t if it makes feel better.’

you

I still don’t know the full story between what happened with these three. I’m starting to wonder if Julian was only ever so drawn to Bridget because she was the only girl to turn him down.

But, no, that seemed unfair. Julian harbored this crush of his for a long time. He might not hear no very often, but I doubted he would have held on this long from a simple rejection.

There had to be something else.

Maybe they actually did have a love triangle. Would Bridget date two men at once? But if Nicholas knew about it, he never would have gone along with it.

As I mulled over the possibilities, I didn’t notice Julian move until his arm was already slung over my shoulders. He tugged me closer to him, until the side of my body slotted against his.

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+15 BONUS

with

turned into me. Nudging his nose against

but…” Usually our moments of closeness were talked about beforehand. This

car. “I want

hurt Julian more than

hurt to try. At the very least, it would further convince the other

said. I leaned into him. Then, I turned toward him too. Our faces were close. “But if this backfires, it’s on

that chance,” Julian said. His gaze dropped to my mouth.

stage. Surprise struck me. Was

over, yes, Bridget was on her way toward us, but that was only because she was hanging onto

after all, was the one I truly wanted. But we were playing a game, and if I moved, Bridget would know right away it was

know. My acting skills

before us. My name was spoken quickly, clipped.

glanced over to where Susie stood. She was talking

atrocious liar here. Nicholas just wanted to get me away

to say in response. Julian needed me here, and I wasn’t about to abandon him just to avoid Nicholas’s jealousy. Nicholas should know where my heart truly lied. Although… with how jealous I routinely felt about Bridget, perhaps we had more to

+15 BÔNUS

said. “Did you know

body tensed at my side. Now, if Bridget were jealous, she might give us a

smiled brightly and said, “That’s wonderful, Julian. I’m so

my shoulder suddenly clutches

must have been like a dagger

done talking, she turned her full attention

him later, to remind