13. March 2024
13
March 2024
V aughn took his seat in the private box as the lights dimmed and the curtain rose at Star Theatre. It was opening night, and he felt oddly nervous on Willow’s behalf. While they hadn’t exchanged a single word since the dinner at his family’s home, he wasn’t about to miss her first variation. Nigel was under strict instructions to keep his attendance under wraps. The last thing Vaughn wanted was to be a distraction during such an important milestone. So he arrived late, discreetly, and waited for the Fairy of Joy to appear onstage.
As he waited, his mind returned to the dinner, as it had done many times—specifically to the kiss in the garden. The memory had him wanting a cigarette more than he could put into words. Close to two weeks had passed, and his physical and mental reactions were still the same.
He shifted in his chair, trying to focus on the ballet.
The kiss should never have happened. The dinner should never have happened. Willow’s theory that he had been testing to see how she fit in his world had been spot-on. Apparently he had needed it blatantly thrown in his face to realise what he was doing. He’d been so focused on whether she could fit in that he’d forgotten the far more important question of whether she should .
And the answer was a resounding no .
The music shifted to something upbeat, drawing his focus back to the performance. A moment later, Willow entered the stage with joyous steps. Her costume was a colourful bodice with a skirt of fabric petals. She was a whirlwind of energy with her impossibly high arabesques and a smile brighter than any light Vaughn had seen. His chest lifted with the final thrust of her arms, and then he sat motionless amid the applause.
Willow’s dancing had a way of leaving him simultaneously energised and choked up. When she exited the stage, he stared after her, knowing his decision to stay away was the right one for her.
As the applause died out, he rose from his chair and left the theatre.
An electrifying sensation spread through Willow as applause followed the dancers offstage after the final curtain. She weaved through the throng towards Lili, catching her arm as they reached the dressing room.
‘We did it,’ Lili said with a grin, then threw her arms around Willow.
‘You were amazing,’ Willow told her. ‘Flawless.’
‘ We were amazing,’ Lili corrected as she released her from the hug.
The other dancers congratulated them as they passed by before disappearing into the dressing room. Some were genuinely happy for them, while others were simply saying the correct thing.
‘Well done, you two,’ Cassie said, throwing a weak smile in their direction.
Once she was well out of earshot, Lili whispered, ‘The fact that she’s not happy means that we did a really good job.’
Harrison strode towards them. ‘Incredible.’ He kissed them both on the cheek. ‘Well done, both of you.’ Then, looking at Willow, he added, ‘I have a small list of corrections for you, but we’ll worry about that tomorrow.’
The light feeling in Willow’s chest dissipated.
‘Were we watching the same solo?’ Lili said. ‘I’m surprised you could find even one correction, let alone a list.’
Harrison frowned at her. ‘One variation and you’re qualified to take over as creative director now?’
Lili bit the inside of her cheek.
‘How does a celebratory mocktail sound?’ Harrison asked.
Lili and Willow exchanged a glance. They had been planning their own private celebration but could hardly tell him no.
‘I need to make sure everyone’s happy and hydrated before hustling you all to your beds,’ Harrison added.
‘It can’t be too fancy,’ Lili said, ‘as most of us will be wearing activewear and stage make-up.’
Harrison thought for a moment. ‘I know a bar on Chapel Street that’ll be perfect.’
‘Titian?’ Willow asked, Vaughn bursting into her thoughts.
The disdain on Harrison’s face answered that question. ‘I find Titian to be overrated. There’s a bar just down from there that offers the same atmosphere without the pretentiousness.’
Lili snuck a glance at Willow. ‘Okay.’
‘Foyer in fifteen for anyone who wants to come out for a celebratory mocktail!’ Harrison shouted to all within earshot. ‘Spread the word while I hustle us some maxis.’ He shot a smile at the pair before walking away.
Lili waited until he was gone before saying, ‘Clearly not an Inky Capo fan either. I’m starting to wonder if he’s jealous.’
‘Impossible. Harrison’s above such emotions, surely,’ Willow said with a playful smile.
‘And what was all that about a small list of corrections ? Why can’t he just let you feel good for a minute?’ She shook her head, visibly frustrated. ‘Maybe the mafioso’s warning to be cautious around him is valid.’
In truth, Willow’s relationship with Harrison had been feeling off for some time. She just didn’t want to admit it to herself because he was such an enormous part of her life—past, present, and future.
Lili turned and pushed the dressing room door open, letting Willow enter ahead of her. ‘And don’t even get me started on the mocktails.’
Willow laughed. ‘We are performing again tomorrow.’
‘I’m tempted to have a beer when I get home just to spite him.’ Then, realising that Piper had overheard her say that, she added, ‘Ginger beer—for its anti-inflammatory benefits.’
Willow pressed her lips together as she headed towards her chair.
News of the celebratory drink spread, and most were keen to join. Once everyone had changed out of their costumes, they made their way outside and bundled into maxi taxis.
The bar Harrison had been referring to was two doors down from Titian—and at capacity. They were forced to wait outside in the unusually humid March heat.
‘Maybe we should try somewhere else,’ Piper suggested.
Harrison gave the bouncer a pointed look. ‘I’m sure it won’t be too much longer.’
Willow could feel the sweat running down her back. So much for ensuring everyone was hydrated.
She glanced in the direction of Titian at the same time Vaughn stepped outside, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. He lit up and inhaled deeply, head tipping back on the exhale. Willow’s heart sped up at the sight of him. The fact that he had no idea she was watching him made the moment feel all the more forbidden. She drank in every inch of ink, every lock of hair, every frown line as he stood there, as visibly bothered by the heat as she was. She thought she might get away with the explicit ogling until he looked in her direction, eyes locking with hers.
Busted .
His frown deepened.
Willow gave him an awkward wave. He stared at her for a long moment, and then his gaze shifted to Harrison, who was standing next to her.
That was the moment Lili noticed him also. ‘Oh for fu…’
Vaughn flicked his cigarette into a nearby bin before making his way over to them. He stopped a few feet away. ‘Miss Hayes.’ Then to Lili, ‘Miss Chén.’
Harrison whipped his head in Vaughn’s direction, straightening. ‘Ah, Mr Gallo.’
‘Harry,’ Vaughn replied drily. ‘A little hot to be standing around outside, don’t you think?’
‘We’ll be going in soon.’ Harrison’s tone was laced with irritation.
Vaughn looked around at the dancers. ‘They’re not going to let a group your size in when they’re at capacity.’ He gestured over his shoulder. ‘Come to Titian. I’ll sort you out.’
‘Most of us are wearing sneakers,’ Lili pointed out.
Vaughn looked her over. ‘I’ll hide you at the back.’
‘I think we’re all happy to wait,’ Harrison said, looking around for support.
It was clear from everyone’s tired, sweaty faces that they were not happy to wait.
‘It’s really humid,’ Piper said.
Harrison cleared his throat. ‘All right. Thanks.’ He glared at the bouncer as he stepped out of the line.
It was busy inside Titian but deliciously air-conditioned. Conversation blended with jazz. Vaughn led them to a large table at the back marked Reserved and plucked the sign off it.
‘I’ll send someone over.’ He left without so much as a glance in Willow’s direction.
That was a good thing. At least that was what she told herself.
A waitress came over, and Harrison enquired about mocktails. The woman told him to leave it with her, then went to liaise with the bartender. She returned twenty minutes later with a tray of Sleeping Beauty mocktails in martini glasses, layers of pink liquids with edible glitter and fairy floss around the rim. It looked like something straight out of the story. Everyone loved them, except for Harrison, who complained about the sugar content. The group toasted to a successful opening night, then settled into conversation.
‘That bartender really knows what he’s doing,’ Willow said.
‘And here’s to us,’ Lili said quietly, touching her glass to Willow’s. ‘May this be the first of many star moments.’
A smile spread across Willow’s face. ‘To us.’
She tried to relax into the evening, to be present and enjoy the time with everyone, but she found herself constantly looking at the door behind the bar—the one Vaughn had disappeared through.
‘How are you feeling about tomorrow?’ Harrison asked, coming up next to Willow and slinging an arm around her. ‘Nervous?’
She looked up at him, then down at the hand on her shoulder. ‘I wasn’t until you mentioned it.’
He chuckled. ‘Sorry.’
‘She has nothing to be nervous about,’ Lili said before turning away to speak with one of the male dancers.
‘Only two more performances and Matilda will be back,’ Harrison said. ‘Then you can get back to doing what you love.’
Willow’s brow creased. ‘I loved tonight.’
‘Oh, I know.’ He took a sip of his drink. ‘But you’ve always enjoyed the team environment of the ensemble.’
While that was true, her moment in the spotlight had opened her mind and heart to other possibilities.
‘I fought hard to get you that solo,’ Harrison said quietly, ‘so I’m obviously relieved it all worked out so well.’
‘Fought with whom? Nigel?’
He squeezed her shoulder in a way that was probably meant to be reassuring. ‘I’m not going to name names, but you can’t honestly be surprised. You’ve barely been with the company a year. There are far more experienced dancers who probably should have gotten the role.’ He squeezed her shoulder. ‘But you didn’t let me down.’
Embarrassment settled in her chest like stone. Why was he so determined to remind her of her place within the company? She hoped it was to protect her from future disappointment.
Vaughn stepped up to the table, and Harrison responded by drawing Willow closer. The arm suddenly felt impossibly heavy.
‘How were the drinks?’ Vaughn asked, sounding as if he didn’t care either way.
A weak smile came and went on Willow’s face. ‘Magical.’
‘We won’t be needing any more,’ Harrison said. ‘We’ll all be leaving soon.’
Willow looked up at him. ‘We’ve barely been here half an hour.’
‘And you’re all performing tomorrow’ was Harrison’s reply. Then, looking at Vaughn, he asked, ‘Can you bring the bill?’
Vaughn regarded him for a long moment. ‘You can go ahead and pay at the bar.’
Looking taken aback, Harrison withdrew his arm and traipsed unhappily off to the bar.
Vaughn remained where he was, eyes on Willow. ‘How did the solo go tonight?’
As much as she was not over the disastrous last encounter, his interest in her life never failed to make her happy. ‘It was possibly the best night of my life.’ The excitement from earlier returned. ‘I poured all the joy I’ve ever experienced into that variation.’
His whole face seemed to soften when she said that. ‘I don’t doubt it.’
Harrison returned in record time, much to Willow’s disappointment.
‘All right, everyone,’ he said. ‘It’s getting late, and we’ve all had a big day. Grab your things.’
Lili’s mouth fell open. ‘Already?’
‘You and Willow will ride with me,’ Harrison added.
Vaughn’s stare turned heated. ‘Do they have a curfew in their contract?’
Harrison looked tiredly in his direction. ‘Basically, yes.’
‘Why don’t you let them enjoy their success?’
The whole group fell silent and looked between the two men.
Harrison’s jaw tightened. ‘I’ve invested a lot of time into this company, Mr Gallo.’
‘And I’ve invested a lot of money,’ Vaughn fired back.
The room seemed to go from silent to silent .
Vaughn turned his attention to Willow and Lili. ‘I’m happy to take you ladies home when you’re ready.’
Harrison gestured to their bags under the table. ‘Grab your things. Let’s go.’
The last thing Willow wanted to do was get into a taxi with Harrison when he was clearly angry. ‘If Mr Gallo’s willing to take us, it’ll free up taxi space for others.’
‘Like me ,’ Cassie said, looking annoyed that the principal dancer wasn’t the top priority in the discussion.
The tension on Harrison’s face had Willow bracing for the worse. Instead, he composed himself. ‘Very well. I’ll see you both in the morning.’ As the other dancers were gathering up their belongings, he said to Vaughn, ‘Make sure they get home safely.’
The mafioso gave him a bored look. ‘Safe travels, Harry.’
Harrison gave Willow a punishing glance before walking away. The others waved goodbye as they trailed after him, leaving Willow, Lili, and Vaughn alone at the table.
‘Are you all right?’ Vaughn asked Willow.
She was convinced he could read her thoughts, or at the very least interpret her expressions. ‘I’m…’ Her eyes went to the mural, the one she’d been standing in front of the night they met. ‘Ready to leave.’
‘Same,’ Lili said, snatching up her bag.
Fishing his phone from his pocket, Vaughn shot off a text message. ‘Then let’s get you ladies home.’
The three of them made their way outside, leaving the noise behind them. The air was just as stifling as it had been when they arrived, but it was only a short wait until Finn pulled up—double parking like usual. Vaughn stepped off the kerb and opened the back door for them before climbing into the front passenger seat. He flicked the sun visor down, positioning it at an angle where he could see Willow. She caught his gaze in the reflection and held it for a long moment as they moved at a snail’s pace along Chapel Street.
As they turned onto St Kilda Road, Willow was aware of his eyes still upon her as she looked out the window at the passing traffic.
‘The tension in this car is something else,’ Lili said under her breath.
Another ten excruciating minutes slipped by before they finally pulled up out front of Lili’s apartment building.
‘Finn will walk you in,’ Vaughn said.
‘Sweet of you to offer on his behalf, but I’ll be fine,’ Lili replied. ‘Thanks for the lift, though.’ Then to Willow, ‘Call me when you get home.’
As the car pulled away from the kerb, Vaughn said, ‘She’s a good friend. I’m pleased you have her.’
It was an unexpected comment given how openly Lili disliked him, but he sounded sincere. ‘You might take that back if you heard some of the things she says about you.’
He released a soft chuckle as he leaned his head back on the headrest. ‘I’m sure it’s all valid.’
They drove the few blocks to Willow’s apartment. When the car stopped, Vaughn looked at the dark path leading to her building, then said to Finn, ‘I’m going to walk Miss Hayes inside.’
Her hand froze on the door handle. ‘That’s really not necessary?—’
He was out of the car before she could finish objecting. Willow watched through the glass as he fixed the sleeve of his shirt before opening her door. She kept her gaze down as she climbed out and stepped past him, heading towards her building.
He caught up with her in a few strides. ‘Something the matter?’
She shook her head. ‘No.’
‘You’re angry at me.’
‘A little.’ She glanced sideways at him. ‘You shouldn’t have invited us into Titian.’
‘I should have left you out in the heat?’
‘And you definitely shouldn’t have driven me home.’
He watched her as they walked. ‘You expect me to say nothing while he tries to run your entire life?’
‘Yes, I expect you to say nothing. He’s the director.’
‘A director who puts his hands on you.’
She swallowed in place of a reply.
They entered the lobby, and as usual, only one of the lifts was working.
‘I’ll be fine from here,’ she said, pressing the button fifteen times despite knowing the lift wouldn’t come any faster.
‘I wasn’t planning on going inside your apartment,’ he clarified while not leaving.
She turned and looked at him. ‘You think that’s what I’m worried about?’
‘Okay.’ His eyes searched hers. ‘What, then?’
Willow could feel the frustration bubbling inside her. ‘Everything else. Especially how I feel when I’m around you.’
He didn’t reply.
‘Every second I spend with you is another second I’ll replay in my mind later, and you’re taking up enough space in my head as it is.’ She drew a hurried breath because she had a habit of forgetting to breathe in his presence. ‘If you want me to stay away from you, then I’m going to need you to stay away from me . Stop popping up with your rolled-up sleeves and ink and that silver stare. Don’t even get me started on your cologne. It lingers on my clothes for days.’
He nodded slowly, nothing changing on his face. ‘Everything you just said is fair.’ His gaze fell to the bag she was carrying. ‘Do you have your key?’
Willow hadn’t been expecting him to calmly agree with her, and she felt oddly disappointed by his reaction. ‘Yes.’ She swallowed. ‘Yes, I have my key.’
‘Then you have a good night, Miss Hayes.’ He took a step back. ‘Don’t forget to phone Lili. I’m sure she’s waiting for your call.’ He turned and left, pulling his cigarette case from his pocket as he walked.
The last thing Willow saw was the glow of a lighter as he stepped out into darkness.