24. Bigger Than Sparkwood
Bigger Than Sparkwood
Braden
O ne thing I know for certain—I don’t know a damn thing about the dance industry.
Luckily for me, Kiki and Eddie have a few dance pros on speed dial, because I can’t shower Mina with a million technical questions about studio layouts or the woman will see right through me.
Online DIY videos worked fine for her in-home setup, but this needs to be professional grade.
For Mina, it needs to be perfect.
It’s coming along great. In fact, it feels almost too easy, so I keep waiting for a phone call from Eddie about a major design hiccup, but it never comes. Maybe when something is meant to be, the universe aligns to make it happen—or some such shit.
Anyway, I’m proud of the space and excited to show it to Mina once it’s completed. Just another couple of weeks before it will be showroom-ready, and she can decide what to do with the studio—whatever makes her heart happy.
Mina won’t have to live by anyone’s rules or expectations ever again .
She can be her own woman, something I know she’s never experienced before.
I’m just thrilled to be able to give her that, and I hope she loves it as much as I love her.
I spot Leo getting out of his sports car as I exit Black Lotus on my way to lunch.
Huh. That’s odd. Wonder what he’s doing here.
Still, I don’t tend to let jealousy fester. Leo and Mina have a shared history, and although they slept together, I know from Mina’s own disclosure that it was borderline pitiful.
In his defense, all guys are terrible the first time out of the gate. No doubt he’s improved over the years—not that I’m giving him a chance to replay that event with my woman. Besides, I’m pretty damn sure I keep Mina satisfied, if her exuberance over all positions and places is anything to go by.
Let’s just say we’ve tested out all the surfaces in the farmhouse. And the greenhouse. And the barn. The list goes on.
Suffice it to say, after several marathon sessions, I think we rid the farm of any bad sexual juju.
I jerk my chin at Leo in greeting. “What’s up? Mina isn’t working today.”
“Actually, I came to speak with you.” Leo lightly drums on the roof of his car. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“I was grabbing some lunch. Want to join me?”
Leo nods, motioning to his car. “Sounds great. I’ll drive.”
Five minutes later, we’re seated at Flipped Buns, the local burger joint. We go through the usual pleasantries with the server and give our orders, but I know the man isn’t here on a social visit.
Time to get some answers .
Leaning my forearms on the table, I fix Leo with an expectant stare. “You wanted to talk, so let’s talk.”
I’m fairly certain he’s not planning to warn me off Mina, because that doesn’t seem to be his vibe. And besides, it would be laughable, considering I outweigh him by at least forty pounds of muscle.
Still, he’s piqued my curiosity.
Leo takes a sip of water and clears his throat. “You and I didn’t get to talk much that weekend.”
“Not really.”
“I’m part owner of a creative agency in Los Angeles. We handle the choreography for music videos, film sets, and the like.”
“Yeah, we saw a clip with you on the news the other night. Something about an award show.”
Interesting resume, but what exactly does this have to do with me?
“The Golden Globes. It’s a big deal.” Leo stretches his fingers across the table and sucks in a deep breath. “Look, I need you to know I’m not happy with Bitsy right now.”
“She has snooty condescension on lockdown, but she seems to love you. What happened?”
“She made the wrong damn choice—choosing Vanessa over Mina. It was based entirely on her ego and need for control, because Mina is a far superior dancer, and Bitsy knows it.”
Wait a second—what the fuck?
Leo’s words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I slump against the booth seat. “Bitsy didn’t give her the studio? Christ.”
No wonder Mina’s been distant the last few days.
But why didn’t she tell me?
Then it hits me. Maybe she blames me.
I know it’s not my fault, but her aunt made no secret of her disdain for me as Mina’s choice.
Leo seems to read my thoughts. “Look, this isn’t because of you. When Mina stood up for herself, her aunt saw it as a personal attack and decided to punish her for it. This is all on Bitsy.”
“Wish that made me feel better. Nothing like being hated for no reason.”
Leo nods and takes another drink of water. “I get it. Anytime I had a dance partner with a boyfriend, I became a threat—even when I had zero interest outside of the studio. And just so you know, I had no clue Bitsy wanted me to reconcile with Mina. I was as shocked as you were.”
I nod, chewing the inside of my cheek, my thoughts on my girl and her broken heart.
But there’s a light at the end of this tunnel—and now, it’s more than just a studio. It’s a reclamation of Mina’s power, stripped away by a petty tyrant of a woman.
“Well, maybe something better will come along.”
I gear up, ready to tell Leo about the studio.
Hell, maybe he can offer some last-minute input on the design.
This might work out perfectly. I can take us down there right after we eat.
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Leo says, accepting his food from the server with a smile.
“There’s an opening at my agency, and I think Mina would be perfect for it.
I didn’t bring it up that weekend because I felt certain Bitsy would choose Mina to take over the studio, but when I heard she hadn’t, I knew I could offer her something else. Something better, if I’m being honest.”
I stare at my food, my appetite wilting like the lettuce on my burger. “Let me guess. This job is in LA?”
Leo nods. “Of course, although there will be jobs all around the world. This could be her big break into show business.”
I scrub my face with my hands .
This is going from bad to worse to… I don’t know what the fuck it is.
“So, you have a job for Mina. A real job, with full-time work, a good salary, benefits, all that shit?”
“All that and more. She’ll become eligible for SAG-AFTRA, which opens the door to televised performances, music videos, national tours, you name it.
There are all sorts of high-end perks—royalties, rubbing elbows with the Hollywood elite.
Plus, we offer temporary housing for new employees to help them get settled in LA. ”
“You’ve thought of everything,” I mutter.
“Mina deserves all that and more, but I wanted to check with you first. I know how important you are to her, and I didn’t want to overstep.”
“I appreciate that.”
And I do. Leo is a total gentleman, and what he’s offering is world-changing for Mina. Far beyond the humble studio I’m building in Sparkwood.
Hollywood is calling, and I know Mina needs to answer that call.
Leo senses my turmoil and adds quietly, “It will give her a life in the dance world again.”
“More than that,” I mumble, shoving a fry in my mouth. It tastes like cardboard.
To be fair, everything has lost its flair in the last few moments.
I bite into my burger as the numbing pain settles over me. “Mina could be the next big Hollywood choreographer.”
Leo nods. “That’s the plan. She has the drive and talent. She just needs an opportunity. But I’m not sure if I should say anything.”
I wipe my mouth and ball up the napkin, my decision already made. “You’re going to tell her, Leo, and you’re going to convince her she needs to go.”
“Might be easier with your help. ”
“Whatever you need. Whatever Mina needs.” I toss my burger onto the plate. I can’t eat another bite. Hell, I’m two seconds from losing the breakfast I already had.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. Once we fill the spot, I can’t say when—or if—another will open. She’ll need to decide quickly, and I think she’ll need your help to push her in that direction.”
I don’t want her to go. I want Mina to live here in Sparkwood with me, but what kind of man would I be if I hid her lifelong opportunity from her?
It’s London all over again, but this time, I’m ensuring she grabs the brass ring and holds on with both hands.
Which means I have to let her go.
Mina is sitting at the kitchen table when I walk into the house that evening. She doesn’t say a word, her eyes fixed on the polished wood grain, uncertainty clinging to her like smoke.
I toss my keys on the counter and grab the bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. I’m going to need it to get through the next few minutes.
Pouring myself a glass, I swig down half before walking over to where Mina sits, silent and still.
I pull out a chair and sit, reaching across to thread my fingers through hers. “When do you leave for LA?”
Her eyes widen as she snaps from her reverie. “How do you know about LA?”
I shrug, downing another swallow of whiskey. “Leo met me for lunch. Told me about the job he has waiting for you.”
Mina buries her face in her hands. “It’s a good offer.”
“It’s a great offer. ”
And it is. In fact, Leo isn’t lying about it being life-changing.
She shakes her head, snatching my whiskey and taking a sip. “I don’t know what to do, Braden.”
“Yes, you do.”
She jumps to her feet, pacing the kitchen tile. “It’s not that simple. It’s so far away, and I don’t know anyone in Los Angeles. My family is here, and you’re here, and?—”
Oh, how I recognize this indecision.
“What you’re feeling is normal, Mina. I felt the same way when I was offered the apprenticeship in London. My life was here. Everyone I knew was here.”
Mina pauses, fixing me with her sharp gaze. “And you didn’t go.”
I suck in a breath and grab her hand, pulling her onto my lap. “That was the wrong choice. I should have gone. I’ll never know what path my life might have taken if I had pursued it.”
She sniffles, dragging her hand under her nose. “I know you’re right, but…”
I band my arms around her waist and rest my head against her back, her racing heartbeat echoing in my ears. “Will you do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Answer these yes or no questions for me with the first feeling that pops into your head. Don’t overthink it. Don’t think about it at all. Just answer.”
“Okay,” Mina whispers, her voice lined with doubt about this activity.
“Don’t worry, I promise it’s not painful.”
“For you, at least.”
No, sweets, it’s going to hurt like hell for me .
I press a soft kiss to her neck. “Do you love me?”
She doesn’t miss a beat. “Yes.”
“Do you want to dance again?”
“Yes. ”
Deep breath, man, hold it the fuck together.
“Do you want to take this offer?”
“…Yes.” She pivots in my arms, her hand clamped over her mouth as if terrified of my reaction.
I pull her hand away and press a lingering kiss to her lips, resting my forehead against hers. “There’s your answer. So… when do you leave for LA?”
Mina strokes my cheeks, her fingers soft against my skin. “Leo has a client waiting, so he wants me there within the week, which is such short notice. I can’t do it that fast.”
“Yes, you can. I’ll help you.”
Even if it breaks me.
She swipes her cheeks, her expression brightening. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Come with me.”
“What?”
“Let’s go to Los Angeles together. You told me you made the wrong choice in not going to London, so here’s another chance for a new adventure—with me.”
I close my eyes and huff out a breath. “Mina…”
Do I love her for asking me to tag along? Absolutely, even more than before, which I didn’t think was possible.
But we both know I can’t go.
I steal another kiss and shake my head. “I have a good life here. My business, my home, my family—they’re all here.”
“But you could have a new life there,” she argues, her voice cracking. “Maybe I should forget the whole thing. I’ll tell Leo?—”
I grasp her cheeks, forcing her to meet my gaze. “No way. You want this, and damn it, you deserve it.”
“What about us?” She knows the answer, but she needs to hear it. Perhaps then, it will make her choice easier.
“I will always be here for you. Whenever you need a cheerleader or a pep talk, I’m just a phone call away.”
“But nothing more.”
“That wouldn’t be fair, Mina. To either of us—but especially you. This is an adventure, and you’re going to meet so many great people. You’re going to do incredible things. You’re so much bigger than Sparkwood. You’re going to light up Hollywood.”
And one day, you’re going to meet a guy who’s going to make you forget about me.
She trembles in my arms, tears pouring down her cheeks. “I’m scared. What do I do?”
“You leave for LA,” I say, the emotion threatening to choke my words, “and you become the best damn choreographer Hollywood has ever seen.”
“You’re telling me to leave. Don’t you love me?”
Christ, she is killing me right now.
It takes every fiber of strength not to crush her to me and tell her to forget Hollywood. Forget anything that takes her away from me.
But I can’t do that.
Not to my Mina.
“More than you could possibly realize,” I reply. “Which is why I’m letting you go.”