“Hello, Roisin.”
I don’t offer my real name because they like us to stay in character for the meet and greets.It avoids confusion.Other dancers besides me will be performing the Sugar Plum Fairy role throughout the run.
“What did you think of the ballet?Have you seen it before?”I ask her the standard questions when I really want to ask who the man was to her.
“We loved it.My brother and I couldn’t take our eyes off the stage watching you.I’ve come so many times, but you did such an amazing job.”
“Aww, thank you.You’re so sweet.”
Another child comes over and interrupts us, and I talk with them.But I keep an open ear to the conversation beside me.The man with Roisin is Lyric’s half-brother, JJ, and the woman is JJ’s mom.Roisin is gushing over Lyric, asking if she can hang out with her the next time Morrigan goes to the house.
They disperse after a bit, and I’m standing there in full costume with the other dancers.I can’t wait to get out of this tutu and into something else.
“We’ll wait here while you change, then we can go get drinks if you’d like to celebrate,” my brother offers, and I smile at him.
“No can do.I have an opening-night celebration to attend, but have fun.I’ll see you all in the morning.”I turn to walk away, but my brother stops me.
“Be careful, Dar.Would you like me to get a driver for you?”
“I always am.Nope, we’re Ubering.”I chuckle and walk away.
I love that now that he doesn’t have a driver on me, I don’t have to worry about them reporting back to him what I’m doing.
An hour later, my hair hangs in loose waves around my shoulders after being up in a tight bun all night.I’ve toned down my stage makeup, but all the body makeup is still on since I haven’t showered yet.I’m in a white mini halter neck dress.My size B breasts let me get away with going without a bra.Even though I’ve been in pointe shoes most of the day, I’ve strapped on a pair of red high heels that wrap around my ankles.
We all walk up to the bouncer with our passes and bypass the line.Our manager got everyone who wanted to go into the brand-new club to celebrate tonight, something about the club’s manager being related to someone in the corps de ballet.
Masha grabs my hand and drags me to the bar.She’s in a black mini bodycon dress that’s shorter than mine.She acts like we’re best friends now, and I don’t know where this came from.
As we wait for the bartender to come over, she starts looking around.
“I’m so excited to get into this club.I’ve heard the owner and manager are hot as fuck.Both are single.You can go for the manager, but I get the owner.”She chuckles, and in my mind’s eye, I see the man from earlier.
I know who owns this club.I’ve overheard my brother discussing it, and my job requires me to know all the hottest clubs and their owners.A flash of jealousy hits me, but I wonder if he walked out because he wasn’t as attracted to me as I am to him.
“You can have them both.I’m not interested.”I laugh it off and order a vodka.
I’m not going to let Mr.MacEvoy dictate my evening or worry over whether he liked me or not.He can just be a nighttime fantasy for a bit.
“Girl, you have to try Irish whiskey here.Or one of the house drinks.”Masha laughs as she orders a pink shot with a candy skewer.
I shoot the vodka, then turn toward the dance floor.Other dancers from the company are already out there.That’s what I need.I leave Masha at the bar while she grills the bartender about the owner and make my way to the floor.I need to burn off the extra energy and adrenaline still buzzing through my system.I dance with a group from the company, not giving any guy my time.I’m not interested.
I don’t know how long I’ve been out here, but when a server hands me a bottle of water, I drink almost half of it before walking over to our table and sitting down with the group.I can feel eyes on me and start scanning the crowd.There are so many people here, it could be anyone.
Another server walks up to me with a tray and a single shot glass.
“A drink for you.”She hands it to me.
I look down at it, then up at her.It’s the same drink Masha ordered earlier.I glance at Masha, but she shakes her head.
“I didn’t order this,” I say.
“It was ordered for you.”
“Um… okay.Tell them I said thank you.Or can you point them out so I can do it?”
“I don’t know who it’s from.It’s called a Pink Starburst.”
