"I don't think I can move" Karen laughed, trying to catch her breath, turning to face him, and moving in to kiss him. "I'm going to be late now!" she smirked.
"It's not my fault you're so damn irresistible."
"Always a charmer!" She laughed, rolling her eyes and rolling away from him and out of the bed, heading for the bathroom.
"What time does your rehearsal finish tonight? Wanna squeeze in a quick coffee before my show? ... oh wait scrap that, I can't sorry. Got that Playbill interview with Josh."
"How is my favourite person?!" Derek said sarcastically.
Karen popped her head round the bathroom, smiling. "I'm sure Josh sends his love to you too! You know, he reminds me of a young version of a certain Brit I happen to know. Don't know what it is. Must be the arrogant swagger!"
"Karen Cartwright, are you calling me an old man?" Derek laughed.
"Yeah I am!" she teased, making her way back to him, and planting a kiss on his forehead. "But you're my old man!"
"Right that does it!" laughed Derek, grabbing Karen and flipping her over, moving in too plant kisses all down her neck.
"Derek, I've gotta go!" Karen laughed, trying to squirm free. "Although if this is my punishment, I'll have to insult you more often!" she joked.
"Thanks Karen, Josh, as always. The readers will love this! Be sure to check out the article in the next few days" said James, the Playbill interviewer.
"No, thank you James! The pleasure was all mine" replied Josh. Karen saw James blush and smiled.
Once he'd left Karen playfully clouted Josh on the head!"
"Ow! What was that for?!" he laughed.
"You know what! You'd flirt with anyone to boost your own career ... and ego!" laughed Karen.
"Well, I've got to get my pleasures somewhere, seeing as a certain leading lady refuses to go out with me!" he joked.
Karen laughed. "Josh, you have every girl in Manhattan queueing up for you each night. I think one less girl fuelling your self-esteem is only a good thing!"
"I can't help it if you're so damn gorgeous. What's a man to do!" he teased.
"Stop shamelessly flirting with me whenever Derek's around for starters!" laughed Karen. "I know you're just doing it to wind him up! He sends his love by the way!" she winked.
"Oh I'm sure he does!" smiled Josh.
Josh Jennings had been cast as the male lead in 'Greed' opposite Karen, playing her character's trader husband. It was a role made for him, and he'd won best actor at the Tonys for his stunning performance, quickly becoming Broadway's resident heartthrob. He was gorgeous, and as talented as they come with an ego to match, but he got away with it because of his natural charm and cheek. He sizzled on stage every night, and had scores of fans, girls and boys, waiting for him every night at the stage door. He'd been ridiculously flirting with Karen since the day they met, but it was all in good fun. He knew how devoted Karen was to Derek, and Karen knew that behind the bravado Josh was as loyal and sensitive as they come. They'd struck up a really close friendship, and they loved performing with each other every night.
They were making their way back to the theater when Karen's cell rang and she picked it up, happy to hear Julia on the other line.
"Hi sweetie" Julia said. "How's my favourite Iowan?"
"Not too bad thank you. And you? Rumour has it you and Swifty are back on!"
She heard Julia laugh. "Don't believe anything Riedel says, rule number 1! Guess what?! I've got great news about the benefit concert for Kyle. I know it's 3 months away, but a slot's become available on September 14th at the Manhattan Concert Hall due to a cancellation, so if you're keen?! I'm friends with the artistic director there and he knew you, Tom and I were planning something for him and offered us the venue!"
"Oh my god, are you serious?!" Karen interrupted. "The Manhattan Concert Hall? Kyle would flip! In the diary already, thank you Julia! And on account of the fact that Kyle always used to have the biggest crush on Josh, I'm sure he'll be happy to perform too! There's nothing he loves more than pleasing his fangirls and boys!" she laughed, looking over to see Josh grinning.
"Great, I'm glad" Julia replied. Maybe you could get that boyfriend of yours to do the musical direction?!"
"Oh my god, I'm sure he'll be honoured to. I'll speak to him later" Karen replied.
They gossiped for a few more minutes before Julia said her goodbyes. She was rushing off for a Gatsby meeting.
"Unbelievable!" said Josh.
"What?!"
"The amount of crap girls talk about!" he teased.
Karen laughed. "Well we were also talking about Kyle's benefit concert. Julia's secured us the Manhattan Concert Hall for September. Can you believe it?! Will you perform Josh? Please? For Kyle?!"
"Anything for my favourite girl" he winked.
"Yeah favourite girl until whichever other girl you end up with tonight" she laughed. "Thank you Josh, this means a lot" she said, leaning in to plant a big kiss on him as they made their way into the theater.
"No, no, NO!" Derek shouted for the 10th time that day. "Is this so bloody difficult to understand, Jesus?! You're all about 5 steps behind! ... Okay, let's call that a day. I'd have a more productive rehearsal using dummies!"
He grabbed his bag and pulled out a couple of ibuprofen, taking a couple of pills. His head was throbbing and he couldn't concentrate.
"What's up with you grumpy?"
He looked up to see Ana staring at him, arms crossed.
"Nothing's up Ana! I'm just trying to do my bloody job. I'm the only one who seems to be!" he snapped.
"That's not fair!" she said. "Everyone's working their butts off and you know it! You bellowing at us every 3 seconds isn't helping Derek ... is everything okay?"
"Fine!" he snapped.
"Okay, okay, just asking" she replied, hands up in mock surrender. "See you tomorrow."
"Yeah see you" he said, barely even acknowledging her. He couldn't concentrate on anything such was the headache coursing through him. He'd had it now for 2 days, and couldn't shift it. He heard his phone beep, and picked it up to read a text from Karen.
"Can't wait to see you later. Exciting news to tell you! Hope rehearsal went well. Xoxo"
Derek smiled. She always made things better.