Page 93 of The Dance

Eddie shook his head. “No, sir. Stacey got that all on her own. I only set up the audition.”

“Ah, very true.” Dad smiled. “We appreciate the hook-up.”

Eddie beamed down at me. “I’d do anything for her.”

My heart swelled just as Theo and the other dancers came down the hall, screaming and cheering.

“After-party in Maze’s suite at the ZaZa,” he shouted. I’d expected him to keep moving down the hallway, but instead, he stopped and smiled at Molly. He stuck his hand out. “Hello. We haven’t met. I’m Theo.”

“Molly.” She took his hand.

“Did you enjoy the show?” Theo asked.

“Of course,” she replied.

Theo looked over at the rest of us. “Oh, sorry. Are you Stacey’s …?” I introduced everyone. “So, after-party?”

Molly was already nodding, so I replied, “We’ll be there.”

“I won’t. You kids have fun,” Mom said. “I’m sure someone can get you home, right, Molly?”

“I’ll make sure of it,” Eddie stated.

“We should go too,” Dad advised. “Need to head back to San Antonio.”

My mom was staying at my place with Molly and me for the night. Molly was doing better since the night I’d picked her up from The Wild Pony, but she still had her moments of crying. I wasn’t sure how the coming days were going to be for her because the next afternoon we were leaving for Atlanta, and my mom was going back to San Antonio. I’d tried pleading with Molly to go to her parents’ for a while, but she always assured me she was fine.

I gave my parents and stepmom a hug goodbye, and Eddie told them once again that he would get Molly and me back to my apartment safely. Theo and Molly were still chatting amongst themselves, and I hoped that was a good sign that Molly was starting to open up again.

“Are we ready to party?” Theo boomed.

“How are we getting there?” I wondered.

“I can drive,” Eddie offered.

As Eddie laced his fingers with mine, Karla walked around the corner with Agnes, another assistant.

“Well, if it isn’t Eddie Bryant.” Karla smiled wide as soon as she saw him.

“Hey, Karla,” he greeted. “Good to see you.”

She narrowed her gaze at me and winked before looking back at Eddie. “Are you coming to ZaZa?”

“We are,” he replied, and squeezed my hand slightly.

“Good. We should have a drink and catch up.” Karla and Agnes smiled and walked away.

“These next five months are going to be so much fun.” I rolled my eyes.

“She means nothing to me.” He brought me against his chest and wrapped his arms around me. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“Other than she’s a total bitch to me.”

“She’s just jealous,” Molly said.

“Am I missing something?” Theo asked.

“Yes,” Molly and I said as Eddie said, “No.”