Karen pulled the pins out of her hair and took off her wig. Her mind flashed to the feeling of Derek's hands hovering at her waist as he whispered into her ear, "but, you're wrong, I do understand love." What the hell did he mean by it all? Standing so close to her and smelling like spearmint and sandalwood. Making her breath contract, her heart speed up. But she hated him, I mean, didn't she? He'd tried to get her into bed the second time they'd ever met, while he was auditioning her. He'd bullied her through rehearsals. But then there were moments of kindness to him. Where he made time to work with her when she was just Rebecca Duvall's understudy. When he'd apologized for his attempt to make her another casting couch victim. When he'd sat beside her, just that afternoon and had convinced her that even though her life was falling apart, that she could do it. That she could be Marilyn. She was Marilyn, because of him. Because of his pushing her supporting her, fighting for her, in a way that he'd never seen her fight for Ivy or Rebecca. But what did it mean?

Karen slipped out of her dress quickly and into the rehearsal outfit she'd been wearing that morning, and picked up her purse swiftly, exiting out the emergency door and into the street. She needed to get away.

She moved towards the hotel swiftly. It was only a couple of blocks and then she could barricade herself in her room.

Away from Dev, away from Ivy, away from Derek.

Karen reached the hotel door pushing it open and walked to the stairwell climbing to her third floor room.

She pushed open the hallway door. Just a couple more steps and she'd be home free.

Karen dug in her pocket to grip her key card and turned the corner.

She stopped dead and blinked slowly at the man before her holding a bottle of Dom.

"I knew you were afraid of your own success. Let's have a drink, shall we?"

Uh oh. She should have known she couldn't run away from all of her worries.

Karen stuck her key card in the door, avoiding his gaze. "I'm really tired Derek, I've had a long crazy day. I just want to go to bed."

She pushed open the door.

Derek leaned against the doorway. "You just played Marilyn fucking Monroe on one of the largest stages in Boston. You're about to be a Broadway sensation. I think it's appropriate to pause and celebrate."

Karen looked up to see Derek smiling at her. She felt her heart clench. This was doing nothing to help her confusion.

"Plus," Derek continued, "I'd look like an idiot drinking a 1990 Dom all by myself. Not to mention the hangover."

Karen closed her eyes and shook her head, smiling. He was right. Despite the rest of her day, she was Marilyn.

"One drink," she said. "And then I am going to sleep."

"We'd better go to my room." Derek said.

Karen stared at him, her brow furrowing.

Derek laughed lightly. "No champagne glasses. Marilyn would be appalled. Plus, you'll no doubt be mobbed with a hoard of your friends at any moment. If you want a moment close to alone, I'm your best chance."

Karen thought suddenly of the possibility of Ivy or Dev ambushing her and stealing the high she was feeling. She picked up her purse and stood up. "Let's go."

Derek held the door open for her and they walked towards the elevator.