Wicked Grind (Stark World #1)(86)

She waves her hand as if wiping away the lingering words, then peers at me. "So, my dear. Are you any good?"

"I-well, yeah." I draw a deep breath, awed that she's standing here chatting with me. "I am."

"I believe you." She steps back and looks me up and down. "You certainly have the look of a dancer. I've known many, you know. Gene and I spent a great deal of time together. At any rate," she continues, looking at me seriously, "you must speak to Lorelei. The project she's working on has several dance numbers."

My stomach tightens at the thought. "Oh, I don't know . . ."

"Nonsense. You must. You're far too pretty and Wyatt says you're far too talented not to be a success." 

"Oh. Well, I'm flattered," I say.

"And I've embarrassed you. I'm so sorry, dear." She leans in confidentially. "Wyatt mentioned you blush." She turns her attention to Wyatt, who looks a little pink himself. "You're right. It's charming."

"I think it's time to see to the other guests, Grandmother."

"He's trying to get rid of me," she says to me. "But I can take a hint. Ta-ta, darlings," she adds, then turns and walks off, calling out, "Martin! You old devil, do come give me a hug."

"She's wonderful," I say, as Wyatt takes my hand. "And so normal."

"She is," he says with a laugh. "Wonderful and normal. And we're very close."

"I was surprised you told her about me."

"Do you mind?"

"No," I say, pulling him to a stop and putting my arms around his waist. "I like it."

I tilt my head up for a kiss, then sigh happily.

"She's right about the dancing," he says. "I don't understand why you're hesitating. I mean, surely you're not still hearing your father's voice in your head. Not if you're doing my show."

"He's still there a little bit," I admit. "But definitely not as loud."

"So why not go on auditions? Not for the small performances you do, but for the theater. For a company."

I shake my head. "I don't know," I say, then sigh. "Maybe after all this time, I'm afraid that if I start chasing my dream I'll never catch it."

I look at him as I say those words, and see a flicker of something in his eyes. "What?"

"I was going to say that it's not the result that matters, but the chase. But considering how much I have riding on this show coming off successfully, maybe I'm not the person to say that."

"No, you're not." I hip-butt him. "We're a lot alike, you know. Must be why we're dating." I grin. "You told your grandmother we're dating."

"Aren't we?" he asks.

My smile is painfully broad. "Absolutely, we are. But why didn't you tell her I'm doing your show?"

We enter the ballroom and are suddenly surrounded by celebrities. It's like standing in the middle of an entertainment magazine.

"So? Why didn't you tell her I'm the girl?" I press, as a waiter comes by with glasses of wine.

"She doesn't know about the project," he says, and I freeze, my wine not quite to my lips.

"Really?"

"She knows there is a show. But that's it."

I nod slowly. "You want to be a hit. To prove you're a Segel."

He meets my eyes, then nods.

"You're going to," I say sincerely. "This show. I have such a good feeling."

"I've had a good feeling ever since you joined," he replies, then leans in for another kiss.

I hear a catcall and pull away, confused.

Or, at least, confused until I see Griffin and Nia approaching from a few yards away.

"Hey, man," Griff says to Wyatt. "Good to see you again."

"Love the dress," Nia says, then smiles at Wyatt and extends her hand. "I'm Nia."

He arches a brow. "Nia Hancock?"

She glances at me. "Gorgeous and psychic. Quite the combination."

I roll my eyes. "Wyatt Royce, meet Nia Hancock."

"Best friend, protector, and sometimes job facilitator," she says. "The pleasure is mine."



       
         
       
        

"Why are you here?" I ask her, and she glances toward Griff.

"He's here because he's working on that movie with Lorelei. I'm here because his usual date-that means you-bailed on him."

"Excellent," I say. "Anyone else here I know?"

"Know?" Nia says. "I don't think so. Know of. Definitely."

"She's been playing the celebrity sighting game as we walk the house," Griffin says.