Tiny dancer: Sorry, I got caught up. Everything is fine.
I release my breath; I can make this quick and be back at the club in less than thirty minutes. I don’t like that she’s there with him, but she isn’t alone, and I can’t be in her pocket at all times. I’m just about to make it inside when a car pulls up to the side of the road in front of the house.
Sebastian cuts the engine, and then he’s climbing out and staring at me, his brow furrowed, and mouth turned down. He looks pissed.
Shit.
Does he know?
Chapter Twenty-five
“He’s an ass,” I tell Daphne as I sip at my small glass of white wine at the bar, staying alert to my surroundings. I’ve been nursing the same glass of wine for the past forty minutes, watching and waiting for Adrien to show. I don’t know him well, but I know enough to want to remain sober and present.
The overly touchy way he is already has me on edge, but the way he flipped after the date tells me everything I need to know and the red flags he waves are clear, even on a foggy day.
“Just smile, be pleasant,” Daphne sighs, seemingly exhausted by our conversation, “You never have to see him again after this, though a quick fling between you two would have done wonders for your image.”
My stomach rolls, “What did you just say?”
“I’m just saying,” She sighs, “He’s incredibly popular, imagine the deals you would have landed.”
“I’d rather go the rest of my life never landing a deal than be with him.”
“Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do.”
I’ve always known Daphne toed the line, she’s never been good or bad, but somewhere in between and I’ve learned to live with it. I get to say no, and she’s never pushed me too far but hearing this, from another woman who likely has her fair share of stories about men just like Adrien makes me feel sick.
For the first time in my career, I wonder if I need to move on from her agency.
The thought scares me because what if no one else wants me. What if no one will ever see me dance again?
My thoughts are halted for a moment when the crowd inside the club begins to shout and cheer and I know without looking, Adrien has just arrived. The crowd seems to converge in one area, only a select few, including me, hanging back.
“Fucking musicians,” Daphne hisses under her breath before she throws back her gin and plasters a fake smile on her face, “Smile, Savannah, the world will see this.”
I remain alert, placing my wine down onthe bar so I can keep my hands free. Eventually, the crowd begins to part and Adrien, along with his security guard, makes his way toward me.
His eyes dip down to me and his face smooths of any emotion.
“Savannah,” He greets me, “A pleasure to see you.”
My spine straightens when he kisses me on my cheek, shoulders growing tight with unease, but I do as I am told and smile, “You too.”
“I guess we should get to the moment we have all been waiting for,” He winks at me but says it loud enough for everyone to hear. “You ready to see the masterpiece?”
I want to scoff but like the good girl they expect me to be, I smile and act just as excited as the rest of these groupies.
With a collective cheer of yes, Adrien puts his thumbs up toward someone behind me and the wall to the right of the bar suddenly lights up as the projector kicks in.
The first chords to his song play through the speakers and the video we recorded begins. Despite how much I despise the guy and the sickness he triggers; I am happy with my performance. My love of dance can never be snuffed out.
The music quietens, the video of our performance fades to black before it starts again anew, the volume decreases a touch so conversationcan begin.
“What a team we make,” Adrien whispers in my ear, “I can only imagine how good we could be together.”
“I have a boyfriend,” I tell him, a lie really when I’ve no real idea what Killian and I are.
“The bodyguard?” Adrien rolls his eyes with a sneer to his lip, “I figured.”
