I hardly slept last night, my mind racing with thoughts of Carter’s invitation. A theater performance—a modern twist on a classic I’d seen many times before, but never like this. The excitement coursed through me, the idea of experiencing this new version of the play was more thrilling than I could put into words. When Carter asked me to join him, I felt like hugging him. Instead, I managed a polite thank you, while inside, I was already counting down the hours until tonight. At last, the moment arrived. I slipped into my favorite outfit—a deep blue dress that always made me feel like I belonged at events like this. I tried to remind myself that this was just a friendly outing, perhaps a gesture of goodwill between two CEOs. But when I saw Carter’s car pull up outside, my heart began to race. The doorbell rang, and there he was, looking effortlessly sharp in a dark suit, his hair neatly styled, and his warm gaze settling on me. I barely held it together, managing a soft, “Hi.” “Ready to go?” he asked, and as we walked to his car, I realized how much I’d missed evenings like this—dressed up, heading to the theater, and with Carter by my side? It felt like a scene from a dream. Once in the car, I couldn’t help but chatter about the show. “I’ve seen so many versions of this play, but never a modern retelling,” I said, probably for the third time. “Thank you for inviting me. I’m... really excited.” A small smile played at the corners of his lips. “I’m glad.” The theater was breathtaking. Our seats were right in the center, offering the best view in the house. As the performance began, I was completely entranced. There was something so powerful about witnessing an old story reimagined so vividly and beautifully, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of Carter beside me, his presence almost as exhilarating as the play itself.  

As the curtain fell and the applause erupted, a wave of disappointment washed over me. I didn’t want the night to come to an end; the performance had been mesmerizing, and my time with Carter felt even more special. I was in the process of gathering my belongings, preparing to merge with the crowd exiting, when I felt a gentle yet firm tug on my hand.

I looked up, surprised, as Carter began to lead me in the opposite direction, toward a discreet side door.

“Where are we headed?” I asked, excitement bubbling in my voice.

He flashed me a small smile. “I have a friend backstage. Thought you might enjoy seeing things from the other side.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? Carter, this is... incredible! I never even dreamed of witnessing a post-production like this.”

He chuckled softly, maintaining his hold on my hand as he guided me through the winding hallways. My heart raced as we neared a set of double doors, the hum of activity from the crew already audible. Just before he pushed the door open, Carter turned to me, his eyes sparkling with a warm familiarity.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, unable to suppress the grin spreading across my face.