Page 19 of Mafioso's Muse
‘Yeah, yeah. I heard you the first twelve times.’ He shook his head before turning back to his work.
Vaughn looked up at the ceiling, and the memory of people screaming as debris rained down on them had him pressing his eyes closed. Sometimes he could still smell the polyester insulation and feel the plaster dust in his nose and throat. The same dust that had covered every inch of those children.
Shaking off the memory, he caught the lift to the first floor to deliver the paperwork to Nigel, but the director was out, so he left the documents with the receptionist. As he was heading back to the lift, he glimpsed Willow through an open door. She was alone in one of the dance studios, eyes fixed on the mirror as she rose and fell on pointe. He stopped involuntarily, gaze moving down her black leotard all the way to her ankles, which were covered in sports tape, a testament to how hard she was pushing herself. He was an intruder in that moment but found himself unable to walk on. Instead, he entered the studio and leaned against the wall, waiting for her to notice him. It took her a moment to register that it was him. Their eyes met in the mirror, and her heels instantly dropped to the floor.
‘Mr Gallo,’ she said, turning to face him.
‘Miss Hayes.’
She attempted to brush the loose strands of hair back from her face, but the sweat on her skin made it difficult. Her hair was bundled atop her head, her skin flushed from hard work. She really was breathtaking in any state.
‘What are you doing here?’ she asked.
‘I had to drop something off to Nigel.’ His eyes moved over her face. ‘It’s only midmorning and you’ve already exhausted yourself.’
Willow bent and picked up a towel off the floor. ‘I’ll recover in time for rehearsals.’ She took a moment to wipe off, watching him cautiously as she did so. ‘Did you hear we’re doingGisellenext season?’
‘I did.’ Nigel had been sure to mention that. ‘Have any casting decisions been made yet?’
‘Not officially.’ She wandered closer.
‘What about unofficially?’
She glanced at the door before speaking. ‘Harrison’s considering Lili for the role of Myrtha.’ The genuine excitement for her friend was visible on her face.
‘That’s great news. What about you? What role will you have?’
Angling her head, she gave him a perplexed look. ‘I’ll be in the ensemble, of course.’
Vaughn pushed off the wall and took a few steps towards her. ‘You’re too talented to be stuck in the chorus for another season. Surely you know that.’
She smiled and shook her head at his words. ‘Not everyone is cut out to be a star.’ Her voice was quiet. ‘It comes with a lot of pressure?—’
‘You can learn to manage the pressure as you work towards a principal role.’
‘Aprincipalrole?’ A laugh escaped her. ‘I’m too heavy for the lifts.’
What on earth was she talking about? He barely knew how to respond to such an insane statement. ‘Tell me you’re joking.’
Her smile faded, and she leaned on one foot. ‘I realise how crazy that sounds to a non-dancer, but the smallest amount of weight can have such a big impact.’
‘You thinkyou’retoo heavy?’ He had to check he was hearing her correctly.
‘Only as a ballet dancer,’ she clarified. ‘Obviously, outside this setting I’d be?—’
‘You’re perfect in any setting.’ His tone left no room for argument.
She exhaled softly. ‘I’m an ensemble girl—and that’s fine. It’s more than I ever thought I’d be.’ She gave a small shrug. ‘There’s no resentment. I feel only gratitude.’
He allowed his gaze to drift down her body once more, lingering on the soft curve of her waist before returning to her face. Her cheeks coloured under the scrutiny, but she didn’t look away.
‘For what it’s worth,’ he said, ‘you would beperfectas Giselle.’
A slow smile took over her entire face. ‘That might be the best compliment I’ve ever received.’
Someone walked by the door, and they both looked in that direction. It was time for him to go.
‘This delusion of yours, that you’re too heavy,’ he said, looking back at her. ‘Did Mr Walsh tell you that?’Call it a hunch.