Stay home (solo)

You decline Liz’s invitation by joking that you’ve already seen it from the best seat in the house. Then you add, “But I know you’re going to knock ‘em dead tonight. Break a leg!”

She thanks you again for helping, then you two hug and you start to leave.

As you reach her door she calls out to you, “I’ll be sure to keep you updated. And show you what you’re missing.”

* * *

You end up deciding to stay in that night. Sure you could go to a bar or do anything else but nothing really catches your fancy. You try to clear your mind of thoughts about the show but you can’t seem to break away from it. You find yourself checking your phone perpetually for any updates from Liz.

You start watching a new series that everyone has been telling you to binge, hoping for a distraction. It works, until about half an hour before the burlesque show starts. That’s when Liz starts texting.

It’s innocent enough to start, selfies of herself and with her fellow performers backstage getting ready. Everyone is dressed in their costumes and finishing up their make-up. You tell her she looks gorgeous. Once the show begins she sends you a full body shot in front of a mirror. She does look so damn good. {if benefits=true}And before she gets called to the stage there’s one more of her showing off her cleavage in the dress superimposed with the words “wish me luck”.{else}And before she gets called to the stage there’s one more of her winking at the camera superimposed with the words “wish me luck”.{endif}

You text back “Good luck!”.

You realize that you have not followed the last half hour of whatever is happening on your TV. You turn it off and head into the kitchen to unload the dishwasher. You chuckle to yourself at the idea that Liz is doing something very similar right about now. You stop when your phone chimes with a new message. Sure enough it’s another from Liz.

And it’s a video.

You open it to see a shot of her on the stage, with the audience behind her. She must have given her phone to someone else to film her act from the wings.

You watch as Liz turns her back to the audience, bends over at the waist, and lifts up the back of her dress. You can’t see anything because of the angle of the camera, just your friend’s face as she spots the camera and smiles. But the audience can see a lot. And judging by their very vocal reaction they love it. Then it ends. The clip is very short, less than ten seconds.

And extremely hot.

Should you change your mind and go meet her there? No, you already turned her down today so you’d rather the ball be in her court for awhile. Instead you wait a few minutes and then reply:

(you) nice to see you getting some appreciation for all those squats you do.

how did the rest of it go?

She is quick with her reply:

(Liz){if perform <= 6} it could have gone better

i missed a couple cues and i felt nervous

im glad i did it. No plans to do it again

{elseif perform <= 8} it was good!

good for a first time at least

but i got an invite to perform again in aug!

{elseif perform >=9} outstanding!

the audience went wild and they want me back for another show this summer

plus.... I’m going to the afterparty ;-){endif}

You carefully consider your next words.