Page 10 of Mafioso's Muse

‘Drink?’ Nigel asked.

There was no way in hell Vaughn was drinking scotch from that bar. ‘Just an ashtray, please.’

Nigel shifted his weight. ‘Actually, there’s no smoking anywhere inside the venue.’

‘Shame. It would really improve the smell in here.’

Nigel laughed good-heartedly, then took an awkward step towards the exit. ‘I’ll be next door if you need anything.’

Vaughn drew a leg up, resting an ankle atop his knee. ‘Thanks.’ The cushioning in the seat was almost non-existent.

A few minutes of responding to emails later, the curtain lifted. Vaughn could tell at first glance that what money they did have was going directly towards the production. The set was high-quality without being garish and the costumes exquisitely crafted.

The performance began with the palace gates scene. The dancers were all excellent. Vaughn waited impatiently for Willow Hayes to step onto the stage. When she finally appeared, his gaze snapped straight to her, as though recognising her by some other means than visual. She was perfection in layers of tulle with her dark hair pulled back in a sleek bun. The style accentuated the elegant curve of her neck. He studied her form as she moved gracefully across the stage. It was like watching a swan take flight.

Much to his discomfort, he found he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Willow Hayes was magnetic. Every pirouette and grand jeté was effortless. She seemed to defy gravity, and he was entranced. Attraction was normally fleeting for him, but with Willow, it lingered. His soul recognised hers in a way he couldn’t explain. He blinked hard, trying to dispel the thoughts rushing at him. A fantasy was taking shape, one he knew would never be anything more than that because of who he was and how he lived.

Vaughn tried to focus on the flaws in her performance, but he couldn’t find any. So, in an effort to keep his mind occupied on something else, he shifted his gaze around the theatre, studying every detail of his surroundings. But the conversation Willow was having with the music drew his gaze back to her again and again, his heart rate increasing each time his eyes landed. He was beginning to wish he had said yes to that cheap scotch.

Finally, the curtain fell for a short intermission. Reprieve. Nigel popped his head in to see if Vaughn needed anything—and probably to make sure he didn’t slip away unnoticed.

‘Thoughts so far?’ Nigel asked him.

Most of his thoughts could not be shared. ‘Tell me about Willow Hayes.’

Nigel walked all the way in and leaned against the balcony rail. ‘She came to us a year ago. Harrison taught her as a teen. Took her straight out of Sydney College of Dance when she graduated.’

‘Harrison?’

‘Harrison Walsh. Our creative director.’

Vaughn nodded. ‘She’s your strongest dancer in the ensemble.’

‘She’s very good.’

‘I’d even argue better than some of your soloists.’

Nigel chuckled lightly. ‘She also has the least experience and struggles with nerves. She brought some bad habits with her that Harrison’s slowly working through. Her time in the spotlight will come. I’ve no doubt of that.’

The curtain went up again, and Nigel left him alone to watch the second act. Vaughn sat fixated, using the scenes where Willow was absent to compose his thoughts. He was a logical man and simply needed to remind himself of the fact.

When the final curtain fell, Vaughn rose from his seat, only to come face to face with Nigel as he exited the box.

‘Final thoughts?’ the director asked with a hopeful expression. ‘I know you love Tchaikovsky.’

Vaughn’s eyebrows rose slightly. He really had done his homework. ‘I think you have a great show in a terrible theatre.’

Nigel looked around. ‘Yes, I’m well aware of the Star’s… shortcomings.’

‘That’s one word for them.’ Vaughn stepped past him, and Nigel followed right on his heels.

‘It’s not cheap to renovate a theatre of this size and age.’

Vaughn had known it was coming. ‘It won’t cost anything to throw out the faux leather lounges in the forum.’

A chuckle sounded behind him. ‘True. But people need somewhere to sit while enjoying a glass of wine.’

‘People enjoy that wine?’ Vaughn asked drily with a glance over his shoulder.