Vacation passed as quickly as it started. Kasey was actually relieved that break was over. She hated having too much time with her own thoughts. It was better when she was doing something with herself. That way, she didn't have time to stress about the wedding, or about her upcoming debut.

And now, finally, her first Dear Evan Hansen rehearsals were beginning. They were spread few and far between- she just had a couple of music rehearsals with the producers and leaders of the show, and then a few blocking rehearsals before her October put-ins. It was mainly just to make sure she didn't get rusty on the material before Laura left. 

The day her first rehearsal began, Kasey received a puzzling text from Christy Altomare. She wasn't super close with Christy- they'd met a handful of times and bonded over common interests, but nothing beyond that. Even so, Christy texted out-of the blue.

Christy: hey, kasey. just wanted to remind you to spend lots of time with jace before the wedding. keep the dialogue coming, you know? don't get closed off.

Kasey: christy, hi! don't worry, we have some date nights planned soon. where is this coming from?

Christy: i just see a lot of couples grow farther apart right before their wedding. i don't want that to happen to you and jace. that's all =)

Kasey: i won't let it happen. i actually have deh rehearsal, but have a great day. text me again soon!

Christy: break a leg at rehearsal :)

Kasey didn't have much time to process Christy's texts before she was heading to rehearsal with Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the most part, Benj and Justin just had Kasey run through each number a couple of times, working through tempo and harmonies.

"We just want to make sure that we send the pit the right tempo to rehearse. For our next rehearsal, is it alright if we bring them in so that they can get used to playing with you?" Benj asked.

"Definitely," Kasey nodded. 

"Great," Justin said, making a note in his planner. "I think Taylor will be here in about five minutes, so that you can run through 'If I Could Tell Her' and 'Only Us.'"

Once Taylor arrived, they sang through both songs, and then ran lines for a few of the scenes. Kasey felt pretty comfortable with the entire score and script already, and acting with Taylor was a nice mix-up from Sebastian and Jess. 

"That's wonderful, thank you, both of you," Benj praised, exchanging glances with Justin. "I think we're good for today, unless there's something both of you want to run together?"

Kasey and Taylor looked at each other. Kasey shrugged. "I'm willing to run anything again if you want to."

"Maybe 'Only Us'. We could get the phrasing a little tighter," Taylor suggested. "Not that your singing isn't beautiful."

Kasey laughed. "No, that's fine with me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kasey decided to text Jace just before she walked home. He only had an evening show, and she assumed that he would be up.

Kasey: hey, do you want to get lunch before your show?

Jace: where

Kasey: where do you want?

Jace: the usual?

Kasey: sure :)

Jace: be there in ten

Kasey set off down the street toward their favorite restaurant. It was more of a cafe, really, and the cafe where they'd first gotten a drink together so many months ago. 

Jace stepped inside the door ten minutes later, like he'd said, and immediately walked over to Kasey, who was sitting in their usual spot. He gave her a kiss before sitting down across from her.

"How was rehearsal?"

"It was nice. Taylor's a very good actor and I think we bonded pretty well. I think our chemistry will read well onstage."

"I'm glad. He sounds like a nice guy," Jace said. 

"How was your morning?"

"I got some score studying done, and I had my voice lesson." Jace sipped his coffee and sighed.

"It's nice that we're doing this today. I've missed talking to you. I feel like we really haven't had time to sit down since I left the show, which is weird, because you'd think I'd have more time on my hands."

Jace nodded. "I'm glad you feel the same way."

"Christy texted me today, too. She voiced what I was thinking."

Jace straightened. "Christy texted you? What did she say?"

"She just wanted to make sure we were still connecting before the wedding. She's not wrong, I do feel like some couples grow farther apart even when they're about to get married."

"I'm glad she's thinking about us," Jace said dryly. "Did she say anything else?"

"No. She's sweet."

"Yeah, I just talked to her for the first time a few days ago. She's very... perceptive."

Kasey laughed. "I think a lot of our friends are very perceptive people. Maybe that's why they're actors- they notice things."

"Probably, I never thought about that."

They both fell silent. Kasey fiddled with the straw of her drink. "Is there anything you want to tell me? I've noticed things, Jace, and I don't want to force you into talking to me. But something's off, and you're keeping things from me."

Jace swallowed. "What do you mean?"

"Something's changed. You're... distant. Is it because of something I did?" Kasey asked cautiously. 

"No, it's not you."

Kasey frowned. "You can tell me."

"I didn't want you to worry. You shouldn't have to worry about me. I should be the one taking care of you," Jace said, running a hand through his hair. "You should be looking to me, not the other way around."

"A relationship goes both ways. I don't want this to end up being about me all the time, Jace. Your problems are just as important as mine," Kasey said emphatically.

"It's just... my cast members aren't being the best, right now, and it's hard to deal with. It's so different, coming from Tangled, you know? I feel like it should be like that all the time."

"They shouldn't be harassing you," she told him instantly. "Do you want to talk to someone, or? Are you just going to let them walk all over you?"

"I'm not letting them walk over me. This is a job, and it's not like I have people begging me to join their other shows. I want to keep doing this. It's a successful show and people appreciate it," Jace insisted.

Kasey tilted her head to the side. "The fans might like it, but there's no point doing it if you're not enjoying the show anymore. Maybe it's time for you to move on."

"I'm not about to let someone else cost me a show again."

There was no ignoring the double-edge to Jace's words. He was still upset, Kasey knew, that Frozen replaced Tangled. But this time, maybe her cast wasn't the only thing that was bothering her fiancee.