Eight
Gillian
“Ugh,” Lexie groaned and wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead. “I’m beat.”
The students and mothers were packing up their things and leaving. I took a seat in one of the chairs and pulled a water bottle out of my duffel bag. “This class is one of the easiest we’ve had in a long time. Do you think the dance moms are flocking to the competition?”
“I hope so.” Lexie sat down next to me. “If they are, they’re probably going to put them out of business out of sheer annoyance.”
“I’m just glad you got rid of Regis. That woman was one of the worst we’ve ever had.”
“I was more worried about her daughter stabbing one of the girls before the recital,” Lexie laughed. “I have an idea, and I want to know what you think about it. It’s a little bit unconventional, I know, but I think you’d have a lot of fun.”
“I’m automatically pessimistic,” I joked. “What is it?”
“Speed dating,” she announced a little warily.
“Speed dating? That’s creepy. The idea of somebody having to resort to something like that… I don’t know, Lexie.”
“I just don’t want to go alone,” she confessed. “You don’t have to go for any of the guys, but please don’t leave me alone with them.”
“That’s a little bit more reasonable.” I took a drink of water.
Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Swans” started blasting from inside my duffel bag. I reached in to pull out my phone. I didn’t recognize the number. “Hello?”
“Hi, Gillian?” A rich, deep voice. It was Dwayne.
“Hi.” I got up to walk into the lobby, ignoring Lexie’s suspicious glare.
“I hope I didn’t bother you. Were you working?”
“I have a break midday. I’m glad you called. I’ve been wondering how you’re holding up.”
“I’ve been fine. I found a place in town. It’s not much, but it’s in a good neighborhood. I’m planning on moving in tomorrow morning.”
“Really? That’s awesome. It happened so quick.”
“I have to work on Monday, so I’m getting things situated this week. I was hoping maybe you’d like to go out to dinner with me Saturday night.”
I stopped, realizing I’d been pacing. He really wanted to take me out. “Saturday’s fine.”
“Good, I’ll give you a call.”
“Who was that?” Lexie was standing behind me when I hung up.
“Dwayne.” I didn’t know I was smiling until his name left my mouth.
“You are bright red, girl. You can’t even play it off.”
“I am not.” I rushed into the bathroom to check the mirror.
“See, it’s just like I said. You’re reliving a childhood dream.”
“That’s not true.” I pushed past Lexie to walk out. “It’s just dinner.” She followed me.
“Just dinner? Who even says that?”
“Alright, you got me. I’m nervous as hell, Lexie. You didn’t see him. He’s built and tan and big and… Ugh.” I collapsed in a chair next to the front desk.
“You can’t be thinking about any of those things if you’re going to go out with him. You don’t want to get caught up like that.”
“I know.” I laid my head back against the wall. “But I can’t help it.”
“Try — because we both know you’re going to go out with him. If you get attached, and he uses you for sex or drops you altogether, then you’re going to get upset.”
“Whatever happened to you talking about how I need a life outside of work?”
“That doesn’t mean you have to be reckless,” Lexie said. “And, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go out with him. It could be fun, but there’s a difference between fun and jumping into a relationship. You could get hurt.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“It could.” Lexie sat down next to me. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
“I promise. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I hope not.”
“Have you noticed how well little Beth is progressing?” I said.
“I have.”
“I have a confession to make.”
“Yes?”
“She’s my favorite. I know. I know I’m not supposed to pick favorites, but she’s just so sweet, and her mother — not at all like those petty women.”
“Whatever you do,” Lexie leveled her eyes on mine, “don’t let it show. Those moms will hop on that so fast.”
“I know. You should’ve seen the way Mrs. Regis was talking to me. I’m not sure, but I think there’s a chance that some of the other moms are starting to notice.” I shrank back a bit, still smiling. “But I can’t help it.”
“I can’t, either. She really is a sweetheart. Did you see the way she was jumping up and down when she finished her exercises?”
“Yes,” we both laughed. “I think this is a good thing, though. If we give her the help she needs, we might really be able to make a difference in her life. This isn’t just a class. These girls want to make a career out of it.”
“That’s what I’m worried about. The moms are going to see Beth succeed and blame us if their daughters don’t.”
“Then we have to make sure the other girls succeed, too.”
“I like that attitude,” Lexie said.
“Let’s get some food. I’m starving.”
“Come on.” She grabbed her purse, and we locked up.