Page 41 of Mafioso's Muse

Vaughn’s footsteps sounded behind her, then fell away as she entered the house. She paused inside the door, ordering an Uber with trembling fingers. Once it was confirmed, she took a moment to collect herself, then continued on to the dining room to say her goodbyes.

13

March 2024

Vaughn 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 shecouldfit in that he’d forgotten the far more important question of whether sheshould.

And the answer was a resoundingno.

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.’

‘Wewere 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 areallygood 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.’