The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0434

Bridget made Nicholas and I redo our breakup scene. With his apology fresh between us, I didn’t feel so hurt anymore, and the words from the script bounced right off of me without taking root in my heart.

After the scene, Nicholas and I smiled at each other, then I made my way down the stage to rejoin Julian and Elva in the crowd. Julian winked at me as I came to stand beside him. I rolled my eyes, but smiled too.

My heart felt so much lighter than it had for days. Things weren’t all the way better between Nicholas and I. There was much to talk about, and things to make clear. But the hurt wasn’t so powerful anymore.

Of course, now that the breakup scene between Nicholas and I was done, it was time for his love scene with Bridget.

Susie had her one line, and then went to ‘check‘ the door as Nicholas climbed in through the window. This time, unlike our previous rehearsals, the set designer and his staff had completed the display, and Nicholas climbed through an actual window built into the wall of the backdrop.

They shared a few words. I thought of covering my eyes, or Elva’s, so we couldn’t see. My too soft heart was not strong enough to watch Nicholas kiss someone else..

Yet when the moment arrived, when Bridget threw her arms around him and tried to press herself up onto her toes to reach his mouth, Nicholas turned his head. Bridget’s lips found his cheek instead.

Bridget tried again. Nicholas turned his head farther. Then, Bridget huffed as she took a step backwards.

“Nicholas. We have to practice this scene,” she snapped, her face twisted in unhappiness. So much for a love scene.

“No,” Nicholas said.

“No? I’m the professional here,” Bridget said, “And I’m telling you that we can’t

go into

this scene unprepared. You might think it’s just kissing, but I swear, to be believable, it can’t be the first time. We’re liable to look like two fish eating each other.”

Beside me, Julian snorted a laugh.

On his shoulders, Elva looked down at me. “What’s happening, Mommy?”

+15 BONUS

actors, honey,” I told

at a one-

women and two princes. I knew for a

other, and the crowd

Nicholas did too, that Bridget might be pushing so hard to practice

with everything else Bridget. Maybe his hesitance was more out of consideration for me. I liked to think that was true, anyway.

and Lilliana too. Kissing Bridget

reason,

Nicholas said again.

refuse, maybe we should try a stand–in instead.”

Julian stilled.

again. “Julian, come up here please. Let’s show Nicholas how this is supposed to go.”

to him. He was so strong earlier, refusing to help her shift the props pointlessly around on stage.

looked at me, and I could see in his eyes that he was breaking. “I’m a weak

now, but he was not strong enough to ignore a chance to kiss. Bridget. I was disappointed but I understood. His heart still yearned for her.

off of his shoulders and lowered her down to the ground.

turned from me and

walking toward Bridget..

lightning, he was up upon

just opened up her arms and he slide between them. Then,

2/4

+15 BONUS

Bridget. was a very good actor, and Julian didn’t have to be. His

and gentle and

can’t see!” Elva

haven’t started again yet,” I

forward like he wanted another, but Bridget, not so gently anymore, shoved him away. She

do,” Bridget told Nicholas. “It will only look natural

few times, like he was waking from a