“Is this what bitches do? Stand around in a huddle and talk for-fuckin’-ever?” Sylvester called impatiently from behind me.

We broke it off and I turned to him.

“We have stuff to sort, Sly,” I said.

“You also have work to do,” he reminded me.

“You just want to watch us dance,” I accused.

“Well…yeah,” he agreed.

“Right. I got another run-through to do. Then Ryn’s up. Hattie, you’re after. Cool?” Pepper planned.

“I need to get warmed up, so that works for me,” I told her.

Pepper moved to jump back up on the stage.

“You want popcorn, big man?” Ryn teased Sylvester.

“Not right now, maybe later,” Sylvester shot back.

Ryn smiled at him then started walking to the sound board, calling to Pepper, “Cue music!”

“Gotcha!” Pepper called back.

I moved to an open space to start stretching.

Half an hour later, I heard Sly mutter, “Best assignment fuckin’ ever.”

Ryn was doing “What a Feeling.”

And when he said this, I thought it might have been the first time that day, or maybe even that week, it could even be a month…

That I smiled.

Chapter Six

Anytime

Hattie

The night was over.

Ryn’s “What a Feeling” kicked butt.

Her routine was so dope, the audience was so primed for the rest of us, my tips had topped seven hundred.

I was in the dressing room, showered, had my face washed, was in civvies and ready to roll.

The girls had all gone after saying good-bye.

Brett was out back waiting for me in his town car.

Sylvester was outside the dressing room, waiting to escort me to the town car.

And the warmth of the good-bye from the girls meaning I had them back was receding.

Because I was looking at my texts.

It started with:

You’re right. You’ve always been

right. We really need to talk.

I hate that went bad this morning.

Let me know when a good time is

for you.

I’m on at the club tonight. But any

other time, I’m yours.

Just let me know.

After rehearsal and before going out to a late lunch with the girls to catch up on life, it was:

OK. I’m sensing you’re really mad

at me. And you have a right to be.

I’m sorry. I should have called you first

when that stalker phoned me.

I’m about to go out to lunch with

the girls. I apologized to Lottie and she’s

cool with me.

I’d love a chance to apologize to you too.

Will you let me?

He didn’t reply.

So after Sly and I went with Ryn to check out her flip (which was crazy fabulous, even Sly was impressed)…