staging the first physical contact

Greg positioned himself at the edge of the stage, clipboard in hand. "Alright, let's start with your initial positions. Nick, you'll be standing here," he said, marking an X with his foot. "And Abbie, you'll be about three feet away, over here."

They took their positions, scripts in hand.

"Great. Now, the scene builds to this moment through your dialogue. Let's run those lines first, then we'll add the physical elements."

They read through the emotional exchange -- Isaac confessing his feelings, Kim's surprised reaction, the building tension -- until they reached the pivotal moment.

"Perfect," Greg said. "Now for the approach. Nick, you'll step forward, closing half the distance between you. Is that comfortable for you?"

"Absolutely," Nick nodded, taking the step forward.

"And Abbie, are you comfortable with Nick approaching you this way?"

"Yes, of course," Abbie replied without hesitation, her heart fluttering slightly at the diminishing space between them.

"Excellent. Now, Nick, you'll raise your right hand -- slowly, deliberately -- and place it on Abbie's left cheek. Are you both comfortable with that contact?"

"Definitely," Nick confirmed.

"Yes, I'm comfortable with that," Abbie agreed, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

Greg made a note on his clipboard. "Abbie, do you have any preference for how firmly Nick touches your face? Any boundaries there?"

"No boundaries," Abbie replied immediately. "Whatever feels most natural for the scene."

"Perfect. Let's try it," Greg directed.

Nick stepped forward, raising his hand slowly until his palm rested against Abbie's cheek. His touch was gentle but confident, his fingers slightly curled to follow the contour of her face.

"How does that feel?" Greg asked them both.

"It feels good," Abbie said. "Natural."

Nick nodded in agreement. "The movement feels right for Isaac's character."

"Excellent," Greg said, making another note. "You know -- can you both drop your scripts for the moment? You'll need your hands free."

"Of course," Nick answered. He stepped away from Abbie, and put his script down at the foot of the stage. Abbie followed suit a beat later, and then both of them reclaimed their positions.

"Thank you," Greg said. "So now -- actually, let's just do that much again, okay?" Abbie and Nick restored their original positions, checking in with Greg visually that they were in the spots he'd asked for. "Good, now let's see that initial approach again."

On Greg's cue, Nick stepped toward Abbie, extended his right hand, and gently caressed the side of her face. Abbie instinctively smiled at Nick as he touched her, not needing to act, as the response felt natural and organic.

"Lovely." Greg consulted his script. As he reviewed his notes, Nick kept his hand on Abbie's face, and Abbie, still wrapped up in the instinct of the moment, unconsciously leaned ever so slightly into Nick's palm. "Now, Abbie," Greg continued, "you'll respond by placing your right hand on Nick's chest, just over his heart. Are you both comfortable with that?"

"Yes," they answered in unison.

Abbie raised her hand, placing it gently against Nick's chest. She could feel the solid warmth of him through his t-shirt, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm.

"Perfect," Greg said, watching them carefully. "Now, Nick, your left hand will come to rest on Abbie's waist. Abbie, are you comfortable with that contact?"

"Absolutely," she replied without hesitation.

"And Nick?"

"I'm comfortable with it," he confirmed.

Nick placed his hand on her waist, his touch light but present. Abbie felt a small thrill at the contact but maintained her professional composure.