Chapter 8

Addison

“Girl, I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you’re fucking up.”

I cocked an eyebrow at Kayla. “And why is that?”

She gestured toward Colton’s retreating form. “You better get on that, or I will.”

I laughed. “Is that so?”

Kayla rested her chin in the palms of her hands. “He’s dreamy,” she said, following him with her eyes.

She could say that again. Colton was the hottest guy I’d ever seen. I would never admit it, but he’d started starring in my fantasies. He’d tower over me with his naked, muscled body and I would pull him down, kissing him passionately until...

“I want to know what you’re thinking about,” Kayla said in a sing-song voice, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“He’s a stripper,” I blurted out.

Kayla’s mouth dropped open. “Oh. My. GOD. He’s the stripper? The one those bitches paid to seduce you? The one who saved you from Drew the Dickhead?”

I frowned at her nickname for my boss, even though it was absolutely true. “Yeah.”
Kayla shook her head. “How have you not slept with him yet? He brought you flowers, right? And you know he’s hot, you’ve seen his package.”

I took another sip of water, fanning my face with my hand. “I can’t date a stripper.”

“Why not? He’s nice. He’s obviously into you. Why not give him a shot?”

Could I? What she was saying was sounding more and more tempting. But the stripper thing, it bothered me. The fact that he got naked for other women, it was something that I knew I wouldn’t be able to get past.

“Even if I could date him, I don’t have time. I’ve got to concentrate on my career.”

Kayla leaned back, pinning me with an angry gaze. “You say that all the time, but I think you’re wrong. You’ve got a stressful career, and you spend all your time obsessing about your looks, your age, your weight. Your perception of yourself is skewed. A nice boy like Colton could do wonders for your self-esteem. Not to mention knocking the dust off your—”

“Okay!” I said, almost choking on my tongue. “I appreciate your point, but—”

“Seriously, Addy,” Kayla said, her face softening. “How long has it been? Your last serious boyfriend was while you were still in school. I know you’ve dated a few guys since starting at the company, but how long has it been since you got laid?”

I held my breath, not wanting to admit that she was right. “I’ve still got my B.O.B.”

“It’s not the real thing,” she reminded. “Your vibrator doesn’t cuddle you afterwards. It doesn’t take you to dinner and watch shitty rom-coms with you on the couch. Even if you won’t admit to being sexually frustrated, which I know you totally are, you can concede that you wish you had someone to spend time with. And a hunk like that would be a lot of fun.”

I knew her words were true, but it didn’t matter. I had the show to concentrate on, and my own hang-ups. “Drop it, Kayla. It’s not going to happen.”

Kayla let out a huge sigh. “You’re the only one standing in your way. I know you’re not happy in your ballet company, and I can tell you want someone to share your life with. Lie to yourself all you want, but you can’t lie to me.”

“I love ballet,” I insisted.

“But you hate your company. It’s filled with backbiting bitches and a boss who’s just waiting for you to cave to his nasty advances. He belittles you, makes you feel less than, so he can lord the part over you. You’ll only be able to tell him no for so long before he makes his move, and then you’ll have to make a choice. Fuck him or lose the part.”
I stared at her, hoping against hope that she was mistaken. “What choice have I got?” I said at last. “I’m five years older than most of the other girls, and at least five pounds heavier. I auditioned for seven other companies before Drew hired me. If I quit, where else will I go? And even if another company hires me, they’ll never give me the lead part.”

Kayla shook her head. “You’re the only one who thinks that. You got your part because you’re talented, and Drew saw that and the fact that you were desperate. He uses your desperation against you. Mark my words, things will come to a head soon, and when they do, I hope you kick his ass.”

“I won’t sleep with him,” I vowed.

“I know. You have integrity. I just wish you wouldn’t wait until it got to that point.”

She still didn’t understand. There wasn’t much of a choice. If I stuck it out, I could hope that Drew would realize what an asset I was. But, in the back of my mind, I had to admit that her words were echoing my own thoughts.

I picked up the check and we headed toward the host station. My head swiveled around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Colton. And for once, my luck wasn’t absolute shit. He was standing at the station, entering something into the tablet there. His face was a scowl, and I wondered what had happened.

When he glanced up and saw us approaching, his expression changed. He fastened on a smile, saying, “Hello again, ladies.”

I passed him the check with my credit card. Colton looked at me, then handed the card back without swiping it. “It’s on the house, ladies.”

Smiling, I put the card away. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure.”

The moment stretched out as I looked into his light blue eyes. I heard Kayla cough and looked away, embarrassed.

“Well, kiddos, I’ve got to run. Costume emergency. If I can’t finish those twelve elf costumes before Sunday, they’ll be naked in the big parade. Who knows? Maybe it will get bigger ratings. Anyway, I digress. You two should hook up. You’re perfect for each other.” Kayla winked in Colton’s direction. “She told me she likes what you’ve got under your Santa hat.”

I sputtered as my best friend walked out, waving at me over her shoulder. “You’ll have to forgive my friend. She’s got a case of the stupids.”
Colton laughed. “I hear it’s going around this time of year. Must be the weather.”

I smiled, suddenly nervous. It was time to go, but I couldn’t seem to pull myself away from him. “Must be.”

“Look, if you’re not doing anything right now, I’d love to take you out. How about a cup of coffee and a piece of pie? I know this diner about twenty blocks from here. They have the best pecan pie.”

I swallowed. He was asking me out. For pie, no less. “I really shouldn’t,” I said, patting my tummy. “My director wouldn’t approve.”

Colton frowned, then tapped his head with his index finger. “How about this? I’ll order the pie and waft the smell over in your direction. At least you can get a whiff to tide you over.”

I laughed. “That sounds like borderline cruelty.”

“Tell me about it. What kind of director doesn’t let his Sugar Plum Fairy eat sweets?”

He had a point. And even if I didn’t eat the pie, it would be nice to spend a little more time with Colton. “Okay,” I said. “Let’s grab that coffee and homemade pie smell.”
“Great,” he said, pulling off his half apron and tossing it on the host platform. “Let’s get out of here.”

He took my hand and I felt a spark of electricity flowing between us. I let him lead me out the door, stopping only to grab his coat, and then we were out on the wintry streets of New York City.