“Of course.” Erina smiled. “Natasha pays me as always, but even if she could not I would be here for her.”
“That’s an admirable thing to say.”
“It is true. She is like a daughter to me.”
“How long have you coached her?”
“For twenty-one years,” she proudly answered. “We have been through a lot together.”
“She’s lucky to have someone so loyal.”
“Thank you, Mr. Johnson.”
“Call me Damien.”
“Damien.” Friendly hazel eyes met his. “Thank you for giving Natasha the chance she has long deserved.”
“She earned it.”
“She will not disappoint you.”
“I know she won’t.”
“Can you tell me where I may find her?”
“She’s in there—” he pointed behind him “—warming up.”
“Excellent.” Erina smiled. “If you will excuse me.”
“Of course. It was nice to meet you, Erina.”
“And you too, Damien.” She smiled before entering the room where Natasha rehearsed.
After a few seconds he heard Natasha exclaim, “Erina, I did it!”
“Yes, you did. I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Nonsense, child, where else would I be?”
“I still can’t believe Damien Johnson came to my house to offer me the part.”
“That is very unusual.”
“Isn’t it? I wonder why he did it.”
“Who knows, but the main thing is that you got the part, no?”
“Yes.” Her voice was bubbly with excitement. “I’m going to dance Juliet.”
“Yes, you are. Now let us get down to work so that you will be brilliant, shall we?”
“I’m already warmed up.”
“We will see.” Erina’s teasing voice elicited a laugh from Natasha. “Come, first position.”
Outside in the hallway, Damien’s smile turned to a slight frown. Rachel had also questioned his insistence on telling Natasha in person she was their choice for Juliet. He hadn’t explained it to her satisfaction because he really hadn’t understood it himself; telling Natasha in person had just been something he had wanted to do, and so he had. No big deal.
Shaking his head, he started down the hallway in the opposite direction. He had a million things to do before rehearsal started, and standing around contemplating his uncharacteristic behavior regarding Natasha wasn’t one of them.
* * *
An hour and a half later, Natasha along with the other dancers stood in the main auditorium listening to Damien welcome them to the troupe.
“Good morning, everyone.” Damien received echoing responses from the occupants of the room and continued. “First let me congratulate all of you on beating out stiff competition for your respective parts.” He glanced at Natasha. “You are all here because you are the best and for no other reason.”
He placed an arm around Rachel’s shoulders, and hers went around his waist. “You all know Rachel Weston, casting director,” Damien continued, “who is responsible in large part for your jobs.”
“I’m highly susceptible to bribes—preferably chocolate.” Rachel smiled, causing a round of laughter. “I’m glad to be working with all of you, and if this guy gives you any trouble, I’ll do my best to get you out of it.”
“I believe in hard work, and you may even come to think of me as an ogre.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in.
“Truer words…” Rachel promised, causing another round of laughter, including Damien’s.
“You keep me out of this.” Damien affectionately scowled at her before continuing. “But I promise you once it’s all over, the finished product will speak highly for itself.” He glanced at his dancers, focusing on Natasha. “I’m going to drive you hard—probably harder than you’ve ever been driven before,” he promised. “I apologize now for anything I might do to anger or offend anyone, because in two minutes when rehearsal starts, I’m sorry are two words you will never hear from me.” He walked back center stage and his facial expression hardened slightly. “I’m a perfectionist, and I’ll demand perfection from each of you. I’ll receive it, or you won’t be here,” he sternly promised. “Any questions?” When none was forthcoming, he clapped his hands. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
“Let the fun begin.” Rachel laughed as Damien joined her in front of the stage.
“Let’s start with the ensembles.” Damien began organizing groups. “The lead dancers should follow Ron and Carla, our assistant choreographers.” He waved the group, including Natasha, away.
* * *
Natasha and fifteen other dancers entered a large white room whose walls were lined with brown wooden benches and ballet barres. She tightened the belt of her white wraparound skirt, glancing up as a male dancer approached her.
“Hi.” He extended his hand. “I’m Dennis, your partner.”
“Hi.” She shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.” His appreciative eyes traveled over her face and body.
Natasha smiled tolerantly into his wolfish smiling eyes. It seemed she would have to put him in his place as she had numerous other partners in the past. He was tall, about six feet, with short black hair and dark brown skin. He definitely had a dancer’s body. She couldn’t help comparing him with Damien, who was a few inches taller and much more muscled and oh so more appealing.
“I can’t wait to dance with you.”
“We’ll have plenty of opportunity for that.”
“Hmm.” He bobbed his eyebrows. “That suits me just fine.”
“Dennis.” She shook her head in remonstration. “We’re here to work.” She paused for emphasis before concluding, “And that’s all I intend to do with you.”
He sighed dramatically. “A guy can dream, can’t he?”
She laughed. “Just make sure you can distinguish between fantasy and reality.”
He grabbed her hand. “You’re gonna give me an inferiority complex.”
She chuckled. “I don’t think there’s much chance of that, Romeo.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “You know, Juliet, I think I like you.”
“I like you too, as a friend. Got it?”
“Got it,” he echoed, kissing her cheek lingeringly. “But it’s your loss.”
“I think I’ll survive.” She playfully tapped his cheek, and he covered her hand with his before bringing it to his lips.
Damien chose that moment to stick his head in, and his eyes narrowed at the apparent intimate scene between Natasha and Dennis, though he made no comment. He couldn’t blame the guy for being attracted to Natasha, but it seemed he would have to set Dennis straight about his strict no-fraternizing rule for his dancers; they were here to work, not engage in romance.
“Dennis,