Chapter 3

The moment I reached the backstage waiting area, Bradley was there with a little handheld fan.

"Myra, it's so hot today. You should watch your sun protection."

He angled the fan toward me, thoughtful about it.

His eyes were full of tenderness.

If I hadn't overheard him talking with April.

I never would have guessed Bradley could be that kind of person.

"Brad, my parents didn't come to see me perform today."

He answered at once. "I know. I'll video call your aunt and uncle in a bit. You're the closing act, the most important moment of your life. They have to see it with their own eyes."

Just as April had said.

I let the fan blow over me and said, "My dad has surgery scheduled soon, and my mom might be teaching. They probably won't have time to pick up a video call. Why don't you—"

He cut in. "You're right. Then I might as well start a livestream. That way more of our friends and family can watch."

I nodded. "A livestream's the easiest. Everyone gets to see."

April's voice came over the speakers, and Bradley turned his head on reflex.

"You know her?" I looked at him, skeptical.

He said awkwardly, "I met her once at a dinner. You forgot."

I smiled. "Oh, right. I think that did happen."

April had only ever seen him when Bradley and I were on a video call.

I'd never once had a meal with April together with Bradley.

So the two of them plotting this whole thing hadn't been some spur-of-the-moment idea.

【Finally noticed that pair of horns, huh? Keep wearing them and they'll snap your neck.】

I couldn't help a small laugh at the line drifting across the screen.

"Myra, the sun's really strong. Do you want to touch up your sun protection?"

No wonder he was being so attentive. He was afraid April's plan hadn't worked.

He'd come specifically to keep an eye on me.

"Sure. Grab it for me, it's in my jacket pocket. April gave it to me."

He popped the cap open like he'd done it a hundred times and sprayed it over my face and my arms and legs.

The instant the fine mist settled over me.

I saw the smile on Bradley's face. Exactly the same as April's.

Once he'd made sure no bare skin was missed.

He pulled out a wet wipe and cleaned his hands.

"Myra, I snuck out of the line. I can't be gone too long."

He was already hurrying off.

I knew. He wanted to go watch April onstage.

"Go ahead, hurry back. You'll be sitting in the front rows anyway, so you'll see every move I make."

Before he left, he reminded me one last time.

"Myra, the sun's really strong today. That sunscreen spray April gave you is your favorite brand. Touch it up again in a bit."

"Otherwise your makeup will sweat off and ruin the whole dance."

The words left me cold inside.

Bradley always called himself a typical guy who never paid attention to what I used.

He couldn't even buy me the right kind of pads.

Yet now he could name it without missing a beat.

That this brand of sunscreen was my favorite.

So for tonight's gala.

For my performance.

My roommate and my boyfriend had put in plenty of work.

I watched him hurry off.

I listened to April announcing the acts.

And suddenly I couldn't wait.

When I finally stepped onstage to perform.

Just what kind of surprise would there be.