30. July 2024
30
July 2024
V aughn had agreed to go see Willow dance on Sunday, but what she didn’t know was that he attended on Friday too. He didn’t announce it to anyone. Though, unfortunately, he did run into Harrison on the way to his box. The performance had already begun, and the creative director was pacing at the top of the staircase, on his phone, looking stressed out of his mind. Not unusual for someone in his position, closing weekend.
Harrison ended the call the moment he spotted Vaughn. ‘What are you doing here?’ He asked the question as though the mafioso were crashing a private event.
‘Evening, Harry.’ It was the first time they’d seen each other since Vaughn had paid him a visit at his home.
‘I prefer it if people use my proper name.’
One corner of Vaughn’s mouth lifted. ‘I know.’
Scowling, Harrison asked, ‘Does Willow know you’re here?’
Instead of answering the question, he gestured towards Harrison’s hand. ‘How’s the thumb?’
Harrison placed it behind his back. ‘You’re very lucky I didn’t say anything.’
‘Actually, you’re very lucky you didn’t say anything. That’s why you didn’t.’
Averting his gaze, Harrison muttered something along the lines of ‘Enjoy the performance, Mr Gallo’ before fleeing the scene.
Vaughn continued to his box.
He returned again on Saturday, like a drug addict who’d started using again. He got through that evening undetected.
Then it was closing night. Vaughn arrived early and went to say hello to Nigel, who was still working in his office.
‘Mr Gallo,’ Nigel said, rising and walking around his desk to shake Vaughn’s hand. ‘It’s good to see you. Nothing quite like closing night, is there?’
‘Except opening night, perhaps.’
Nigel chuckled. ‘True, true.’ He put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. ‘Have you had a chance to see the new stage?’
‘Not yet, no.’
Nigel glanced at his watch. ‘There’s still time before curtain if you want me to take you down there for a look.’
He seemed so excited that Vaughn didn’t have the heart to tell him no. ‘Sure.’
The backstage area was chaotic preshow. Stagehands ran back and forth, ensuring everything was perfect for the highly anticipated final performance. Nigel took him out onto the stage area behind the curtain, turning in a circle. ‘What do you think?’
Vaughn looked around at the sleek timber. ‘It looks great.’
‘Just seats and carpets to go.’ Nigel crouched to inspect a tiny mark on the wood, then rose. ‘We predict Giselle will be our biggest season yet.’
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Vaughn glanced about. ‘Good. I can’t think of a dance company more deserving of sold-out shows.’
A young assistant approached Nigel. ‘Harrison’s looking for you,’ she puffed out.
‘You go,’ Vaughn said. ‘I can find my way to my seat.’
‘I’ll come see you at intermission,’ Nigel said with an apologetic look before following the assistant off the stage.
Vaughn spent a few moments admiring the set, then exited the stage the way he'd come. As he was passing the dressing rooms, he spotted Willow leaning against the wall a few feet from the door. Her back was rounded, and she was holding on to her hips. He stopped out of sight and watched her for a minute. It was clear she wasn’t in a good way, so he headed over to her.
Willow glanced in his direction, then straightened when she recognised him. ‘Hey.’ She even managed a smile.
‘Miss Hayes.’ He stopped a few feet away, eyes moving over her glittery exterior. She was like a living portrait. ‘Are you okay?’
Willow waved a dismissive hand. ‘This is just my regular “try not to throw up before the performance” moment.’ She gestured between them. ‘That’s probably a safe distance, but I won’t take offence if you take another step back.’
He didn’t move. ‘You’re a fairy. Won’t it just be glitter all over the floor and five years good luck if I’m hit?’
Laughter erupted from her, and he soaked up the sight and sound of it.
‘I need you backstage before every performance,’ she said. ‘The jokes definitely help.’ She drew a slow breath. ‘What are you doing back here?’
He glanced behind him. ‘Nigel was showing me the new stage.’
‘Isn’t it great?’
Whenever she lit up like that, everything inside him seemed to light up too. ‘Yeah. It really is.’
They watched each other for a moment, and then his eyes travelled down. ‘You look…’ He reached for an adequate description.
‘Like the Fairy of Joy?’ she offered.
‘That’s exactly what I was going to say.’ He was pleased to see some colour back in her cheeks. ‘How are you feeling now?’
Willow took another slow breath, her chest rising and falling. ‘Better, I think.’
He nodded. ‘Well, don’t stand out here doubting yourself. You’ll be perfect.’
A smile came and went on her face. ‘Thanks for coming tonight. Your support is…’ She looked down. ‘It means more than you’ll ever realise.’
He resisted the urge to go to her and cradle that pretty face, ruining her fairy make-up in the process. ‘Promise me you’ll have fun tonight. Just enjoy yourself. Revel in the spotlight and the knowledge that you’ve earned every moment.’
She nodded. ‘I promise.’
The door to the dressing room opened, and Lili stepped out, adjusting the strap of her costume. She stilled when she saw Vaughn standing there. He couldn’t tell whether her expression was surprise or animosity.
‘Well, well, well,’ she said. ‘The infamous Mr Gallo.’
He bowed his head. ‘Miss Chén.’
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, glancing accusingly at Willow.
‘I was just wishing Willow luck for her solo.’
‘Oh.’ Lili turned her attention to Willow. ‘Did you throw up yet?’
Willow laughed silently. ‘Not yet.’
‘Well, when you’re done, I’ll be waiting to add another forty-five thousand pins to your hair.’ Lili frowned in Vaughn’s direction before returning inside.
He took a step back. ‘I should probably get to my seat and let you finish getting ready.’
Willow straightened. ‘Would you like to come have a drink with us after the show?’
Her hopeful expression made his chest tighten. ‘Where?’
‘Maybe Titian on Chapel. We know the owner there,’ she said playfully.
‘Is that right?’
Her cheeks coloured. ‘We can go somewhere else if you’d prefer.’
If Willow was going out drinking, he wanted her safe inside one of his venues, where she would be taken care of in every way. He began to wonder what all of these invitations were adding up to. It was possible the destruction caused by their separation was worse than the damage that came from being together.
‘I think Titian is a great choice for an end-of-season celebration. I’ll find you after the show.’
She stepped up to the dressing room door and opened it. ‘Wish me luck.’
‘You don’t need it.’
With a final smile, she disappeared inside.