by Roy Street
An inquisitive look. “I might. Who are you?”
“My name is Aiden Flynn.” He held out his hand.
“Parker Richardson,” he said and shook it. “So you’re the stargazer.”
“That’s me.” Aiden wondered if he’d heard that from his mother or if Jenna had told her big bro about him.
“She told me good things about you,” Parker said, answering his question and causing Natalie to give him the once over.
“You’re the one dating baby sis, huh?” She passed the box of brownies to Aiden. He gave her a ten, nearly blushing. He’d grown up in the city and wasn’t used to the way small town people knew everything about anything. He nodded. “Jenna’s a very special lady.”
“She sure is,” Parker said. “And any man who beat the hell out of Nick the Dick for what he did to Rachel can date my sister any time. Plus you know about Orion and Cassiopeia. I’m a sky man, too. But I favor the sunlight.”
Aiden smiled. Nothing like the ultimate A-okay from the protective older brother. Couldn’t ask for more. “Hope to see you again.”
Parker nodded. “Good chance.”
The day was just getting better and better. Back at the B&B, Aiden sat in his room trying to work on his latest novel, but his thoughts kept veering off to Jenna. She’d gone to dance class and he loved the way she looked when she returned, all flushed with the adrenaline still running through her veins and muscles. Nothing hotter than a body that reverberates with the raw animal power of an athlete.
Through the door to his room he could hear the sound of feet coming up the stairs. Aiden pushed himself away from the desk and opened his door a crack. Her full lips and radiant smile took his breath away same as always.
“Finish all your pirouettes?” he asked.
Jenna, dance bag slung at her shoulder, answered with two crisp pirouettes across the floor and finished face-to-face with Aiden.
Their lips met in a short sweet kiss.
“Whatchya been up to?” she asked him with a cute flick of her chin. Her sultry girlish mannerisms drove him crazy.
“Trying to write.” He opened the door wide. “Now, get in here.”
Jenna slinked into the small room and sat on the corner of his bed. Arms outstretched behind her, she reclined back and scanned the perimeter. “You have books by K.Z Knight. I never noticed before.” She feigned an exaggerated frown.
“That bothers you?”
Jenna shrugged. “Painful topic.”
“Why so?”
“Because the K.Z. Knight Aftermath movie is having a big premiere in New York City, and Sean had said he would take me to it. My friend Lexi designed a really cool dress for me. Don’t ask me when I’ll ever get to wear it now. Since I split with Sean and got canned from Sunrise, I’m obviously not going. And I was kind of looking forward to actually being one of the people who walks the red carpet at a real live premiere.”
“Ah, it’s just a dumb movie when you get right down to it.”
“K.Z. Knight’s work is never dumb. I understand of course as a striving writer you must get tired of hearing people say that.”
“They do make a lot of fuss over this person.”
“K.Z. is today’s rock star of writing.” Jenna shifted onto her side and cut a dreamy eyed look. “He or she is the biggest thing since James Patterson. In fact there is this buzz that the author is going to finally make an appearance at the premiere.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I confess I’d love to see what he-she looks like. Probably some short, roly-poly, bald guy with two chins. Or else some lady who resembles your everyday soccer mom. Either way, K.Z. has got to be a little crazy. Anybody who goes to such lengths to remain in hiding.”
“People have their reasons.”
“A fair answer.” She stood and walked toward Aiden and put her arms around him. “Still, even though you’re not rich and famous. At least your not some nut.”
“Right.”
Chapter Twenty
Taking the advanced level ballet in Studio B at the North Cove Performing Arts Academy, Jenna continued a series of precise fouette turns, her right leg moving quickly out and in as she muscled through plie-releve repetitions on her left. Sucking in her abs and keeping her back strong. Whipping her head around quickly to focus on the same spot each time.
Her sister Casey stood at the front of the classroom calling out corrections and encouragement to her students. “Good, Shara! Keep the shoulders even. No wild arms, Missy. Control! Full releve each time, Rose.”
Jenna knew that the dancers waiting along the wall for their turn to perform the exercise were watching her, curious and slightly in awe of the local girl who’d actually made it into the ranks of one of the top ballet companies in the world. And she liked feeling like a ballerina again.
Over the past two weeks since Sean and the Sunrise Lane producers had eliminated her from the cast, Jenna had gone back to taking daily technique class. She also began giving private ballet lessons at her sister’s studio, donating the proceeds to the academy’s scholarship fund, since her contract kept the hefty paychecks coming from the TV show.
She also spent every minute she could with Aiden now. It amazed her how this guy who took her to such ecstatic heights in bed could also have such a settling effect on the rest of her life. The two of them could do the simplest things together—like shoveling the walk, or buying groceries, or watching the stars—and it somehow made the worried child-self inside her believe everything would be all right.
Was she falling in love with him? Or was it just that he was an ordinary guy? Not rich or famous or tops in his field like all the other men she’d hooked up with in the past.
When ballet class ended, Jenna headed into the hallway outside the studio, perspiring and exhilarated from the rigorous workout. The phone in her duffle bag tinkled. She didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello?”
“Jenna, it’s Tony Pacca. Just got off the phone with Marv Davitz, but I wanted to be the first to give you the news. Mainly because I feel bad about what happened with Sunrise. Believe me, I argued like hell with Sean and the other producers about the changes, but I lost.”
Jenna was touched that he’d call and tell her that. None of the others had bothered to contact her. “Thanks, Tony. But it’s okay. Now that it’s over, I can admit I hated that role.”
He let out a deep guffaw. “Well, you handled it like a pro. And it paid off. Here’s why. Are you sitting down?”
“No. Should I be?”
“Do you know the primetime comedy Reaching Out?”
“Sure. Who doesn’t?”
“Jason Fresno, the director, is an old friend of mine. During the last season I encouraged him to introduce a new character into the show. He went for the idea. And guess what? Now that you’re on the loose, he wants you. Told me he loved your face. And your performance on Sunrise. Thinks you’d be perfect. I think he’s right.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Me?”
“Yep. You innocently pulled a coup on the Sunrise pricks who axed you. And Jason is a great guy to work for. I’ve known him for years. It’s a slam dunk.”
Stunned and flattered, a part of Jenna went all giddy. But then a warning voice surfaced. Her tone changed. “Really? And what am I expected to do in return?”
“Sign the contract. Move to L.A. Get ready to go back to work.”
“I’m not going to bed with you, Tony.”
“What?”
“Just wanted to make sure you know that.”
He sounded perplexed. “I don’t get it. What makes you think—”
“Sean told me about the little game you and he play.”
“Oh, no, no, no. Not this again. You mean about him and me competing for women? It’s bullcrap. About six years ago, before I met my wife, I dated a certain actress he was interested in. He insisted I did it to take her away from him. Then another woman he was hot on happened to like me more th
an him. Sean’s still getting me back. High school crap. Pathetic if you ask me. Especially since I’ve been happily married with two great kids for the past four years. Now can we please get back to business?”
Could she trust him? She’d always seen Tony as a straight shooter. And right now his words rang true to her. In which case, it was a whole new ball game. And an exciting one. “How soon would I have to decide?”
“Decide? Is there a problem?”
“I just need time to think it through. I recently made some commitments with my dance.”
“Next Wednesday. And, sweetie, I don’t have to tell you about Reaching Out. We’re talking big. An offer like this comes once in a lifetime. Say yes before he gets antsy. Marvin’s going over the contract now. He’ll be calling you later.”
They ended the call, and Jenna continued toward the dressing rooms with an extra bounce in her step, totally thrilled with this unexpected turn. Tony was right. Reaching Out was the biggest show on TV. If she were in it, her acting career would go over the top. She’d be a fool to turn it down.
Before she reached the dressing rooms her phone rang again.
“Hey, Marvin.”
He started right in, obviously revved by the offer. Jenna was, too. But when she thought about Aiden, she asked, “Is it mandatory that I move to the west coast?”
“Yeah. Sorry about that, but the rigorous primetime schedule would mean you’d have to live out there. Which you should do anyway if you’re serious about your career.”
She chewed on her fingernail. Once again her head was spinning. Would she lose Aiden? Did their relationship mean as much to him as it did to her?
The other problem was that her dance company leave of absence would end just as her work on the series would begin. She’d have to get an extension.
Jenna ducked into her sister’s private office. Thankfully, it was empty right now. A large desk took up one side of the room. The other side had a sitting area with white leather chairs, potted plants and a round coffee table covered in dance magazines and catalogues.
Jenna scrolled through the numbers on her phone and called Ted Hertig, assistant to Lydia Charkow, the ballet company’s artistic director. Ted usually acted as go-between with the dancers and Lydia.
“Hi, Jenna. Caught you on Sunrise Lane last week. You’re a good little actress.”
“Thanks, Ted. But I feel so guilty when I think of how many talented and dedicated unemployed actors there are walking the streets wishing for a deal like mine.”
“Wrong attitude. Give yourself some credit. Last time we spoke you said the ratings went up after your stint on the show.”
“Yeah, but it wasn’t really me that did it.”
“Same old Jenna. You’ve always worked your tushy off as a dancer. Never satisfied. Constantly striving for perfection. You obviously jumped into your new role with the same determination and pluck.”
She laughed, thinking of the way she’d practiced her lines over and over around the clock, even sitting up in her bed in the middle of the night. “Guess I don’t know any other way to do things.”
“Which I hope means you’ve kept up your technique. We’ve got a heavy rehearsal schedule planned for this spring.”
“Actually, that’s why I called, Ted. I’ve been offered a role in another series, but it would mean adding eight more months to my leave.”
His silent pause had an ominous feel. “That won’t be possible.”
“How about six months?”
“No, Jenna. Be back as scheduled or you’re out.”
“Out? As in… fired?”
“Call it what you want. But those are the terms.”
“Understood.”
Jenna put away her phone and sank into a soft leather chair. Ted’s ultimatum sent a cold chill through her. When she’d chosen to explore another career, trying to figure out why she was so unhappy, the leave of absence allowed her to keep an umbilical chord to the ballet company. An underlying assurance that she could return to the familiar foundation she’d built and called her professional home.
But this was a whole new ballgame, all right. If she lost her job at American Ballet Theater she knew she’d never get it back. And she wouldn’t blame them. Why should they cater to a dancer who isn’t fully committed when they had literally thousands begging for a chance to dance with the company?
Sure, there were other good companies around, but ABT had been her dream since she was a kid. Like little boys who dream of playing for the Yankees. And she realized how amazing it was to have actually gotten that dream. But…
The door opened and Casey walked in. Seven years her senior, she’d been like a second mother to Jenna. Today Casey wore a silky tunic top over her slim jeans. Her chestnut curls were pinned in an up do.
“What’s the matter, baby sis? You look totally freaked.” Casey went to the coffee maker and poured herself a cup. “Is it about that guy you’ve started seeing?”
“No. Although that’s part of it. I can’t expect him to fly out to California every time he wants to see me.”
“California? What are you talking about?”
“I’ve been offered a role on Reaching Out.”
Casey’s mouth tightened, her attempt to control her annoyance apparent. “And you’re going to take it?”
Jenna’s lips tightened in turn. “I might. I’ll never get a chance like this again. I’m afraid if I don’t do it I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
“That’s not a good enough reason.”
“What is?”
She sat in the chair next to Jenna. “Your love for something. Like the love you have for dance.”
“Do I? I’m not really sure.”
“How can you say that? All the hours and hard work you’ve devoted to training?”
“I also remember spending hours memorizing every plant in the botanical manual for Parker. And driving myself to get straight A’s on every report card so I wouldn’t disappoint Mom. And working to invent silly circus acts to make you guys laugh. Not to mention my compulsion to keep my clothes and room immaculate.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I wonder if I pushed myself to become a dancer for you.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it? I worshipped you. And I knew how much you sacrificed for me. Turning yourself into a mother and a mentor at such an early age. Even giving up your own dream so I could have a chance.”
“A chance at something you wanted.”
“Who decided that, Casey? I was only a kid.”
“You loved it!”
“I loved you.”
“And I you.” Casey shook her head. “I’m sorry, but people just don’t drive themselves as hard as you have for things they don’t really want.”
“They do when they’re terrified their world will fall apart around them if they don’t keep everybody happy.” Jenna broke into tears.
Casey came to her, squeezed herself into the chair, and held Jenna as she cried. “I’m so sorry, baby sis. I never meant make you do anything you didn’t want.”
Jenna looked up at her. “Nobody meant any of it. Daddy didn’t mean to die on us. And Mom didn’t mean to hurt me when she disappeared into her black moods or lost herself on a bender. And you and Parker didn’t know I saw how worried, strained and tired you were. Teenagers trying to be adults, keeping us from going under. I saw the family that I loved fall to pieces.”
“The problem is you’re still haunted by what happened in the past. What you need to realize is that was then—this is now. Mom’s not the person she was when Daddy was dying. She takes her meds. She likes her Bed & Breakfast. Times have changed. Sure, I saw how childish she got when you lost Sunrise Lane. But it didn’t last.”
Jenna thought about it a moment and said, “You’re right. I had trouble sleeping for the past couple weeks worrying that Mom would slide back into a trough. But she didn’t.”
“And she’s not going t
o. The question is: when will you get over it?” Casey reached out for the box of tissues on the coffee table and handed a few to Jenna.
“I’m working on it. In the meantime, please don’t mention this offer I got. To anyone.”
Casey mimed a zipper across her lips. “And by the way, I’ll love you just as much as always, whether you dance or not.”
Chapter Twenty-One
A couple nights ago Aiden had called Coty saying, “Looks like you won’t be parting with your autographed Mike Tyson boxing glove. You won the bet.”
Aiden and Jenna were as close as two people ever could be. They shared everything, including a bed, spent as much time together as possible, and yesterday she’d said she couldn’t imagine getting through a day without seeing him.
No, she hadn’t come out and said she loved him. And that was actually a good thing. Because one night when Aiden wanted so badly to say that to her, his guilt over abandoning Wendy seized him.
And he couldn’t do it.
That was one reason he wanted Jenna to meet Coty. Aiden thought bringing her into a part of his life from the past might joggle things around. Besides, as winner of the bet, Buster was owed a visit from Jenna.
It was a cold Friday in early March, snow flurries swirling in the white gray sky. They arrived at the retirement community around two in the afternoon.
Buster “Coty” Cotes answered the door looking freshly washed and shaved. Aiden made the introductions and watched them, sensing a warm approval on both sides.
The voluminous sounds of rising and falling crescendos cascaded from the compact speaker system. “Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky,” Jenna said. “I adore this piece.”
Coty grinned, apparently thrilled to have his newly acquired taste for fine music noted. “One of my faves, too. But I keep it at a discreet level. Don’t want to bother my neighbors.”
“It’s a ballet as well as an opera, you know.” Jenna took a seat on a red upholstered sofa, Coty across from her, while Aiden poured out mugs of coffee.
“I didn’t know that,” Coty said. “But Aiden did inform me about your being a ballet dancer as well as an actress. I had the pleasure of seeing you in Sunrise Lane.”
