But it was my fault. I did this. So now I would have to deal with it, regardless of how I felt.
“It would be best if you got a lawyer—”
“Isn’t it straightforward? I practice, I dance, and I get paid?” I leaned back in my seat.
Finally, his green eyes focused on me. “No. Ms. Harper, this isn’t a high school recital. You will be dancing in front of an audience of at least five hundred. Not to mention the millions who watch live—”
“Are you trying to scare me?”
“I’m trying to figure out why someone who was adamant about punishing herself for the rest of her life suddenly thinks she’s capable of dancing in front of millions of people.”
Now he was just being hostile and an asshole.
“It doesn’t matter what my reasons are as long as I can do it. Right?”
“Can you? When did you last dance? You’re out of shape and untrained. On top of which, you do not know any of the music. You’re a good dancer, but I hardly believe you are ready to come out of nowhere and lead a production.”
“Then why am I here?” It took everything I had not to snap at him.
“Because my brother magically thinks he can make you a star in weeks. I don’t think we have time to be experimenting.”
“It seems like you’re in a tight predicament. Shouldn’t you decide so both of us can move on?”
He pulled out a list, placing it in front of me. “This is your diet, and this is your workout regimen for this week. Starting tomorrow, you will try to build your strength.”
The list was of things I could eat, which boiled down to eggs, nuts, chicken, fruit, and veggies.
I remembered this list. I’d hated it when I was young, and I doubly hated it now.
“No wine. No cheese. No bread,” he said, and for a moment it sounded like he was laughing at me.
“You know you thinking this is impossible for me actually makes me want to do it more?” I sat on the edge of my chair.
He sat up as well, leaning forward. “You say that now, but you haven’t started boot camp yet. I’m sure after the first day you will regret this.”
“I’m glad we broke up since you have so little faith in me.”
He clenched his jaw, narrowed his eyes at me. Leaning back, he slid the contract across the desk. “Read it over with someone and then get back to me before—”
I took the pen from his desk and signed it. “Are we done?”
He nodded.
Taking my bag, I got up to leave.
“Felicity—”
“Yes?” I sighed, facing him.
“Don’t say ‘we’ as if it were mutual. You broke up with me for no reason other than the fact that you’re scared to be happy. I want to believe in you, but I also have to run this company. Don’t make me explain it again.”
Ass. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I’ll do my best.”
When I walked outside Walt was already waiting with Tori, who upon seeing me smiled brightly and gave me hug.
“I’m so excited to be working with you,” she said.
“Thanks.”
“Are you ready? I want to introduce you to the dancers and show you a dry run of everything.”
I followed them, even though my mind was still in that office with Theo.
Theo
I wanted her to do this.
Maybe if she did, she could move on. However, if she failed, what if she ended up worse? On top of that, I couldn’t get over the fact I was gambling one of our biggest nights on her.
Knowing she had followed Walt down to the dance hall, I quietly entered the sound booth overlooking the dancers below. She stood in front, watching as one by one, they went through the dance routine. Walt stopped every so often to show her where her cues were along with where the musicians would be with them on stage. She watched intently, nodding at each move.
“You don’t think she can do it?” Tori asked me.
“It’s my job to be critical.” I found myself smiling when Felicity laughed at something, pointing to a spot on stage. I had missed what she had said, but Walt thought about for a moment before nodding and laughing too.
“How did the other dancers take the news? I’m sure Violet’s understudy was not pleased at all.” From what I remembered being with Violet, she always complained the other dancers gave her a hard time, and that was with her rightfully earning the position as lead. With Felicity, I didn’t doubt there would be some hostility.
“You don’t know Walt.” She smiled proudly, and I almost wanted to roll my eyes. “Everyone knows he doesn’t like egos. He tolerated Violet because of your past and her experience. But everyone else? The first day some girls were complaining, and he told them to leave. I’m sure they were pissed, but they won’t say it in front of her or anywhere they could get caught. This is their chance to.”