Gina stood in her underwear looking at the two sets of clothes that were sprawled on her bed. She’d picked out a smart-looking suit and shirt, but her eyes kept looking longingly at her jeans and t-shirt. Lewis leapt onto the bed and rolled over on the t-shirt.

“I like your way of thinking, buddy,” Gina sighed. Lewis gave a pleased cry and started to purr. Gina ran her fingers through her damp hair and pulled it frustratingly. “Oh fuck it,” she sighed and reached for her jeans, “I’m going to LA.”

Fenny picked at her burger. No one had said a word since the drinks had been delivered. Paul was looking uncomfortably at a flier, Brad was busy eating, and Lilly was starting to doze. Fenny hoped someone would say something soon – the silence was driving her mad.

“So Paul, how’s the rehearsals going?” Brad piped up, Fenny letting out an audible sigh of relief.

“Good. Tiring but good. We finally got to sing with the orchestra, which was fun,” Paul replied.

“I’m jealous,” Brad jeered.

“Oh mate, you’d made a great Daryl Van Horn,” Paul perked. “And you wouldn’t have to fake the accent.”

“You have to fake an American accent?” Fenny asked.

“Very badly,” Paul winced.

“Let’s hear it then,” Fenny teased.

“No, it would be wrong for me to go into character in a restaurant,” Paul chided.

“Gutless,” Fenny sneered. Paul, remembering Lilly was present, refrained from giving Fenny the finger.

“What’s that noise?” Brad suddenly piped up. They all looked at each other then Fenny dug her hand into her bag and pulled out her phone.

“Hello, what? I’m having lunch. No, no, I’ll be there soon, bye.” She ended the call and chucked her phone back in her bag. “We have to go, Larry’s having a hernia because we haven’t finished the mauve yet,” Fenny declared.

“Sure. You don’t mind, do you?” Paul asked, turning to Brad.

“Of course I don’t,” Brad replied as Fenny got to her feet. “If you have to go, you have to go.”

“Will you be home for dinner?” Fenny asked.

“Will you?” Brad countered.

“If Larry lets me,” Fenny half smiled and brushed her lips against Brad’s. She then turned and headed toward the door, without acknowledging Lilly.

“Well that went well,” Brad sighed, looking at Lilly who had stop dozing and was sucking on her moose.

“Give her time man, she’ll get there,” Paul soothed, and crouched down to kiss Lilly on the head.

“I thought they might just bond,” Brad grumbled.

“They might, but don’t try and push the family thing on Fen. You’ll only scare her away,” Paul warned before he headed toward the door.

Brad turned to Lilly. “Why is life so hard,” he sighed.

There were yells resonating outside the theatre. Fenny looked at the million blank backdrops around her and frantically grabbed the paint. The tins wouldn’t open, no matter how hard she tried. She saw an open can of maroon paint and grabbed it. She reached for her brush — it was gone. Suddenly, the doors flew open and hoards of people raced in and closed around Fenny. They yelled that she was no good, hopeless and pathetic. When she looked up, she saw standing at the front was Brad, Lilly in his arms. They were laughing loudly. Fenny fell into the fetal position and closed her eyes, hoping it would all go away.

Fenny rubbed her eyes and grabbed her glasses, the dream still vividly playing in her mind. Brad was fast asleep and snoring quietly. He hadn’t made it home for dinner, and she’d instead spent the evening watching television with Paul.

She slid out of bed and pulled on a t-shirt and jeans before heading out of the room. She stopped when she saw Paul, in his boxer shorts and open shirt, dancing in the living room.

“Dance with the devil, dance with the devil, dance with the devil. Whoever, the devil may be.” He turned, threw his arms in the air, did a few pelvic movements then realised he was being watched. “Shit, didn’t realise I had an audience.”

“Oh, don’t mind me, I’m surprised you have the energy to do that at this hour,” Fenny perked.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he shrugged. “What’s your excuse.”

Fenny wanted to tell Paul about her dream, but then decided not too. “I think I’m just nervy about the backdrops and being sued,” she breathed and headed into the kitchen.

“Have they noticed yet?” he asked.

“No,” she replied.

“Then I see no problem,” he perked. “Want to help me rehearse?”

“How many times have you insulted me about my singing?” she cussed.

“Oh, I don’t want you to sing, god no, just wrap you legs around my chest,” he chided.

Fenny looked at him and tried not to laugh. “I’m going to wake Brad,” she added and disappeared out of the room.

Brad was still sleeping like a baby when Fenny returned to the bedroom. She grabbed a spray bottle from the dresser that was filled with water, took aim and fired.

“What the fuck,” Brad gasped rubbing his face.

“Morning,” Fenny smiled.

“Couldn’t you have found a more pleasant way to wake me?” he grumbled.

“Yeah, but this way was fun,” she chided.

“Yeah it was hysterical,” he grumbled and threw back the covers.

“I see you’re cheerful this morning,” she huffed crossing her arms.

“You don’t expect me to be ecstatically happy every morning, do you?” he hissed, grabbing a clean shirt and his jeans.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting you to be such a bastard,” she snapped.

“I can’t deal with this right now,” he snapped back and marched out of the bedroom.

“You were the one that started it,” she cussed as she followed him.

“Grow up,” he spat and slammed the bathroom door shut.

Fenny stood dumbfounded. Paul wandered over with a mug of tea.

“Give him time to cool down, he’ll be alright,” he soothed.

“What did I do?” Fenny breathed.

“Men are fickle and childish, you didn’t do anything,” Paul mused. “Come on, I’ll make you breakfast.”

Fenny looked at Paul gratefully and followed him back into the kitchen.

Brad reappeared from the bathroom a short while later and was surprised to see Fenny and Paul had left. He wandered into the kitchen and noticed a note on the message board,

The premiere starts at eight!

He had woken fiercely determined not to go. He was angry at Fenny for ignoring Lilly and yet he knew he shouldn’t be. Brad sighed as he grabbed the loaf of bread and shoved two slices in the toaster. Maybe he would go; it was Fenny’s big night, well Fenny and Paul’s big night. Something was gnawing away at Brad, and then he realised what it was. Fenny and Paul – he was jealous. Paul had so much in common with her that it made him look useless in comparison. All he had was a child she hated. Brad began to feel miserable. He hated self-pity. The toast popped up and he grabbed it from the toaster, burning his fingers and dropping one slice on the floor. He felt so confused and such a terrible boyfriend. Boyfriend, god he’d completely forgotten about the engagement. Brad decided he needed to talk to Fenny, but it would have to wait. Instead he would go to the premiere just to prove that he loved her.

“Genie hasn’t emailed me since the day before last,” Paul announced as he dipped his brush into some black paint.

“She’s probably just busy,” Fenny countered.

“We’ve been emailing half a dozen times a day. Why would she just stop?” Paul grumbled.

“You’re overreacting,” she sighed. “Maybe she’s just bored of you.”

“Gee thanks,” he huffed.

“Sorry, Brad’s put me in a bad mood,” she breathed.

“Well don’t be, you’re no fun when you’re grumpy,” he chided. “So have you decided what you’re wearing tonight?”

“I’m wearing it,” she scorned.

“Fen, it’s a premiere darlin’, let’s make it fun,” he perked.

“Why? What are you planning to wear?” Fenny asked, unsure of what Paul had in mind.

“A tux, of course. You must have a nice frock somewhere?” he queried.

She thought for a moment. “I have one dress that I’ve never had a chance to wear before.”

“Is it sexy?” he cooed.

“You’ll have to wait and see,” Fenny smiled. “Hey, Paul?”

“What?” he asked, stopping and turning to her. She took her brush and painted a line straight down his face. She burst into giggles. “Thank you,” he sighed as the purple paint dripped off his nose.

Fenny and Paul spent most of the day touching up backdrops and doing all the little annoying bits they’d been avoiding. This was made more difficult than it should have been by the actors wandering about in costume and having several full dress rehearsals. Sebastian was singing a little better and at one stage, Larry urged Paul to coach him again. Larry, meanwhile was having several nervous breakdowns and had ended up in floods of tears more than once. Amongst the tension and confusion, Fenny felt strangely relaxed, and was surprised when the director announced everyone could go home who wasn’t in the play.

“You can use the bathroom first,” Fenny declared as she and Paul arrived back at the apartment.

“Ok,” Paul perked and disappeared in that direction.

Fenny noticed the light was on the answering machine was flashing and rewound the tape to listen to it.

Beep…Fen, it’s Sully…You haven’t called me yet, I need to know your answer…. Beep…. Great work today, you fabulous artists, the set is wonderful, we’ll talk tonight, ciao…. Beep…. Fen, it’s me, I’ve been held up, I’ll meet you at the theatre, promise, sorry about this morning…love you…beep.

“Typical,” Fenny grumbled as Paul re-emerged from the bathroom in a towel. “Every time I see you, you’re wearing less and less clothing.”

“I can take the towel off if you want,” Paul chided as he headed for the bedroom.

“Nah, I only like big surprises,” Fenny jeered.

Paul’s face fell into a sulk and he marched off like a child into the bedroom. Fenny sauntered into her room and opened her underwear drawer. She hunted out a bra and panty set she’d only worn once before. It was red satin, with a hint of lace. Quite raunchy, she felt, and appropriate for underneath her dress. She scurried out of the bedroom and into the bathroom. She quickly stripped off and showered, washing all the paint out of her hair. She’d never had to get ready for any sort of premiere before and was actually starting to feel quite nervous. Once she’d combed her hair and got her undies on, she wrapped herself in a towel and scurried back to the bedroom, where she hunted out her dress. It was stuck at the back of the closet, a long red number, with slits up the side and cleavage enhancing at the front. She pulled it on and looked in the mirror. She felt like a frump. Pushing that to one side, she grabbed her hair dryer and dried her hair. She was surprised to see it looking respectable. Next she decided to be daring and wear some make-up. Nothing too much, just mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick. To finish her look she grabbed some old curling tongs and curled the ends of her hair.

“Are you decent?” Paul asked through the door.

“Yeah, come in,” Fenny perked as she stood playing with her hair.

Paul let out a wolf whistle and Fenny blushed. “You look gorgeous,” he cooed.

Fenny turned to look at Paul and her mouth fell open. “Is that velvet?”

“Yeah, you approve?” Paul smiled and twirled.

“Of course! Can I feel?” Fenny asked and wandered over.

“Feel away.” Paul laughed as Fenny stroked the velvet on the sleeve of the jacket. “This is my special suit.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Fenny giggled. “Sit,” she added.

“Why?” Paul asked and nervously sat on the end of the bed.

Fenny squeezed some of Brad’s hair mousse into her hands and rubbed it through Paul’s hair. She then grabbed a comb and blow-dried it spiky. “Now, Gina would approve.”

Paul leapt up off the bed and laughed at his own reflection. “I think we ooze sex tonight.”

“You might, I look like a frump,” Fenny declared.

“Like hell, you look stunning. Brad’ll be falling over himself when he sees you,” Paul mused.

“Yeah, if he turns up,” Fenny sighed. “I’ll get my shoes and then I’ll be ready.”

“Stop being so pessimistic or I’ll tell Sebastian you love him,” Paul chided as he headed out the door.

“Pfft, I think he’d prefer you,” Fenny teased.

Paul’s head reappeared around the door. “Maybe I’ll ask him to dance at the after party.”

“I’m disowning you again,” Fenny laughed.

Gina dropped her bag at her feet. She’d never been so happy to be standing outside Brad Sherwood’s apartment in her entire life. She knocked on the door and began to hum as she waited for someone to answer. Brad appeared in a partial stage of undress. His shirt was open, bow tie undone and his pants were only half done up. Gina’s mouth fell open. Half-naked Brad in a tux. Her dream replayed in her head like a B-grade porn movie.

“Gina, what the hell are you doing here?” Brad gasped.

Gina’s mouth opened but nothing came out.

“Are you ok?” he asked.

“Sort of,” Gina peeped as Brad moved aside to let her in. “Where are you off to?” she asked.

“The premiere for that play Fen did the backdrops for,” Brad smiled.

“Is that tonight?” Gina gasped.

“Yeah, starts in, like, half an hour.”

“Fuck,” Gina cussed.

“Fen and Paul have already left, you can come with me if you want,” Brad perked.

Gina never realised how one phrase could make her want to laugh out loud so much, and she bit her lip in a vain attempt to stop herself.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” Brad asked as he buttoned his shirt.

“Just dandy,” Gina swallowed. “I’d better get myself ready.”

“Well be as quick as possible. Hey, I know you’re a chick and need to gawk at yourself ten million times…but we’re running on a tight schedule here,” Brad declared.

“Yes daddy,” Gina quipped and Brad looked at her strangely as she hurried off to the bedroom. The second the door was closed she doubled over laughing—it shouldn’t be funny, it really shouldn’t.

“Where are we sitting?” Fenny asked as she and Paul walked into the theatre arm in arm.

“Down a bit,” Paul replied reading the numbers. “Aha down here,” he perked and pointed to the row they were in. They found the two most central seats and fell into them. The stage was lit with only a spotlight and it clearly showed up the floral penis on the backdrop.

“I am in so much trouble,” Fenny whispered.

“No one has noticed,” Paul smiled as a group of people took their places in front of them.

“John, is that what I think it is?” asked one of the women, motioning to the stage.

“I think it’s just the design dear,” replied the man.

Paul and Fenny muffled their giggles as Larry appeared beaming broadly. “It looks stunning, doesn’t it?” he perked and pointed to the stage.

“Well we did state we were brilliant,” Paul chided.

Larry chortled and then made an excuse and left.

“I hope Brad doesn’t take long,” Fenny sighed.

“He’s probably trying to drag himself away from the mirror,” Paul mused.

“Yeah, well he better hurry, it starts in a few minutes,” Fenny cussed as the audience began to fill up the theatre.

“It hasn’t started, has it,” Brad declared as he shuffled in and sat beside Fenny.

“Almost,” Fenny whispered. “You look good,” she added with a coy smile.

Brad looked her up and down. “Me, you look gorgeous,” he smiled and entwined his hand with hers. Fenny brushed her lips against his cheek.

“That giant penis looks really good in this light,” Gina announced.

“Gina,” Paul gasped, jumping a mile and feeling a complete dick because he hadn’t even noticed she was sitting next to him.

“Gina,” Fenny said, just as shocked.

“Surprise,” Gina perked.

“What about work?” Paul asked.

“Oh, so no, ‘It’s great to see ya, Genie’? ‘I’ve missed you, Genie’?” Gina chided.

“Please tell me didn’t just walk out?” Paul whispered as the lights lowered.

“Hon, what’s the point of being there, miserable, when all I really want is to be here with you?” Gina whispered back and slid her hand onto his thigh. “Ohh velvet.”

“You girls are obsessed,” Paul mused.

The play/musical/drama thing went exceedingly well for amateur theatre. Sebastian managed to sing in key, the lead actress Cindy remembered her lines, and the crowd mumbled excitedly about the backdrops. Actually, Christian, who was playing Sebastian’s best friend, noticed the “FUCK” in the dream sequence and nearly burst into giggles. All in all it was a success, and by the final bow, the crowd were applauding raucously.

Brad, Fenny, Paul and Gina ended up getting split up as they tried to escape the crowds leaving the theatre. Brad was first out into the street and took several deep breaths. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms; he had a feeling he’d have to wait a while.

Fenny had been stopped by several cast and crew members to congratulate her on the backdrops. She was trying hard to be sociable and polite without being nasty. Eventually, after being hugged three times by an ecstatic Larry, she managed to stagger out of the exit.

“Finally,” Brad mused.

“Theatre people shit me,” she declared.

“Those backdrops looked fantastic, even with Paul’s additions,” Brad cooed and took Fenny’s hand, he pulled her close and kissed her gently. “You really look stunning,” he added.

“Why can’t things always be this good?” Fenny sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing her lips to his for another kiss.

“Maybe this is a sign huh, things’ll get better from now on,” Brad breathed.

“I like that idea,” Fenny smiled.

Paul jumped up on a seat and looked frantically for an exit sign. He spotted one and hopped down, heading in the direction as best he could. He was nearly into the foyer when he was pulled aside.

“What the fuck?” he hissed.

“I just wanted to thank you so much for all your help,” Sebastian cooed.

“Not a problem, man,” Paul said genuinely and held out his hand, Sebastian took it and pulled him into a hug. Paul was glad Sebastian couldn’t see him cringing.

“Are you going to the after party?” Sebastian asked mid-hug.

“Yeah, I like a good party,” Paul replied, then it dawned on him: Sebastian was stroking his back. Paul’s eyes went wide and he quickly pulled away. He didn’t mind that kind of thing from friends, but from strangers it was just creepy.

“Maybe I’ll see you there,” Sebastian smiled and winked, before getting lost in the crowd.

“God I hope not,” Paul whimpered and then hurried toward the doors. He flew out into the street and received amused looks from Brad and Fenny.

“You ok?” Fenny asked.

“I just got groped by Sebastian,” Paul whined, “yuckyuckyuckyuckyuck.”

Fenny cracked up laughing and Brad started sniggering too.

“What are we laughing at?” Gina asked, strolling out of the theatre and looking confused.

“Paul got felt up by Sebastian,” Fenny giggled.

“He stroked my back and winked at me,” Paul said pathetically.

“You’ve had worse,” Gina smiled.

“Yeah but the things you’ve done to me don’t count,” Paul chided.

“So where’s this after party?” Brad piped up.

“A bar, it’s just around the corner,” Fenny replied.

“God, I don’t think I’ve got the energy, I might just go home,” Gina groaned.

“Aww,” Paul whined.

“I only got here like three hours ago,” Gina declared. “You go though, show the Yanks how to party,” she added wrapping her arms around him.

“You sure?” Paul sighed.

“Yes, I’m zombie-like as it is,” Gina mused as Paul teasingly brushed his lips against hers, before they fell into a longing kiss.

“You up for a party?” Fenny asked, looking up at Brad.

“Of course I…” He was cut off by the ringing of his phone. “Sorry,” he added as he answered the call. “Hello.”

“Brad, hi it’s me, Ella,” Ella babbled, sounding breathless.

“Are you ok?” Brad gasped.

“Not really, Dad’s been rushed to hospital, we think it was a heart attack. I really hate to do this to you and apologize to Fenny for me profusely. But could you take Lilly?”

“Of course I can, where are you?”

“At home, but I want to get to the hospital as soon as possible.”

“Sure, I’ll be there in half an hour at the most.”

“Thank you,” Ella breathed and then hung up.

“Well?” Fenny asked.

“Ella’s Dad had a heart attack, she wants me to take Lil,” Brad replied.

“Is Ella ok?” Gina queried.

“She’s frantic,” Brad sighed. “Do you mind?” he asked looking at Fenny.

Fenny mightn’t be happy, but she wasn’t heartless. “Of course I don’t,” she replied.

“Thank you, go to the party with Paul and have fun,” Brad ordered and kissed her on the forehead.

“I’ll catch a lift with Brad,” Gina announced and pulled Paul in for another kiss. “Don’t let him get drunk,” she said, turning to Fenny.

“I shall try my hardest,” Fenny mused.

“Why can’t I get drunk?” Paul grumbled.

“Several reasons: drunk people fall over, you can’t get injured, you can’t risk your voice, and I want you in a reasonable state when you get home,” Gina said coyly.

“Ok,” Paul grinned, hands thrust deep in his pockets and acting bashful like a child.

“Let’s go,” Brad announced.

Fenny and Paul watched Gina and Brad round the corner before Paul held out his arm.

“Shall we?” he declared.

“We shall. You know I think this party is going to be great,” Fenny perked.

“You’ve never been to an after show party before, have you?” Paul chided.

“Never,” Fenny nodded as they sauntered down the sidewalk.

“It’s a case of drinking a lot, which you don’t do, and trying to be friendly and sociable without being rude,” Paul sighed.

“So, how long ’til you do something insanely stupid?” Fenny asked.

“Hey, how do you know it won’t be you doing something stupid?” Paul countered.

They looked at each with raised eyebrows and then burst out laughing, just as they approached the bar.