Chapter Twenty-Three
Lucy
“You were fucking phenomenal, again!” I shriek as I run into Saras' arms. “I am so happy I got to see you in this, doing your thing!”
“I swear I nearly threw my back out with that last flip. I was too busy nosing at you and Mister Hot and Heavy over there.” She winks, pointing towards Riley.
When Riley heard I was in the city, he made sure Sara booked us both tickets together for tonight, and I definitely wouldn’t miss an opportunity to watch Sara again. I wish I had taken a picture of her face when she saw me the first day I went to watch. It was priceless.
If I weren’t so madly in love with Max, I know Riley is the one I could have eventually fallen for. Our friendship is so easy. I think there is something in his past that helps him to understand me and the way I am. I have never wanted to intrude on his personal space and ask him, and he has never offered it up freely. So we’re happy as friends in our own little bubble.
I turn to look at him and find he is already busy chatting up another beautiful dancer. I laugh and roll my eyes along with Sara. He is such a tease, and no woman could deny him. All except me.
“You do know they’re looking for a swing for the dance rolls? Why don’t you audition? Then we can be back together again.” She pleads. She even pops out her bottom lip.
Drama queen.
A swing is kind of like an understudy, but most are prepared for multiple parts in the show. So, one night you could be doing one part, then a different one the next. Honestly, I would love it. Never knowing what you were going to do and not having to do the same performance day after day. And in most cases, two times a day.
I’m still so young in the dance world, and I am more than jealous of her new role. But something is niggling at me to go back home to Bewdley. I don’t know if it’s everything that is going on with my family, or if it’s more the fact that I can’t bear to be away from Max. Even though the week before I left, I had barely seen him anyway.
“I will think about it.” Is all I say back and smile wide hoping she doesn’t push it more.
“Yay! Please tell me we’re going for food now. I am starved after all of that.”
“Yes, me too! Also, I’m not surprised after the moves you did on that stage. You would think that you were getting paid for each gasp you received from the crowd.” I laugh.
“Well, I gotta work it if they’re gonna keep me on.” She winks and tosses her hair. “I love it here. I think the West End is where I was always meant to be, Sugar. I really don’t want to mess it up.” Her brows droop a little at that.
I have never, in all the years I’ve known Sara, seen her like this. She is possibly the most confident person I have ever come across. Even more so than Max! But when it comes to this job, she’s different.
“You really do love it, don’t you?” I ask.
“More than I can even explain.” She whispers.
“Well, we'd better get you fed so you can be on top form for two more shows tomorrow!” I smile brightly, tucking her arm around mine. “Let’s get Riley and get out of here.”
“I haven’t laughed this much in such a long time.” I choke out, gasping for breath at something rude Sara said.
“That, my dear friend, is because you haven’t spent enough time around me.” She sings out.
“How have you even got this much energy after performing a show like that?” Riley asks, wiping a stray tear from the corner of his eye.
“Stamina. Ask your bestie, Leon. He knows all about how much stamina I have.” She winks, causing us to howl with laughter some more.
Jesus Christ. I knew I was missing her, but wow, I forgot how on form she could be. Tonight has felt like the good old days, before everything went tits up back up North. Even having Riley here has been amazing. For the first time in a long time, I have really let go and lived in the moment. It has also helped that Riley knows the owner of this restaurant. The drinks haven’t stopped flowing since we got here, and the food has been unbelievable. We have had what the Spanish call Tapas, but we Brits call them picky bits. Basically, a bunch of random dishes to share in the middle. Definitely too much for what three people should eat, but that hasn’t stopped us from clearing every plate.
“So… have you heard from Max this week?” Sara asks, and the table suddenly goes quiet.
Sara knows everything that’s happened whilst I’ve been away. She made sure I spilled the tea on everything possible. Riley leans forward in his seat, clearly intrigued by my answer.
“No, I haven’t. Not even a simple text to check in.” I reply with a shrug of my shoulder. “I know he’s extra busy with the new place, doing two jobs, as well as watching after Tommy. But come on, who doesn’t have the time to send a little, teeny-weeny message?”
Before Sara gets the chance to chime in, Riley beats her to it.
“Well, have you messaged him, and he hasn’t responded? Or have you both not messaged each other?” He quips, raising a brow. “Because he could be sitting at home thinking, why the hell hasn’t she messaged me?”
I stare at him for a second. Why does he have to be so damn logical?
