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“I knew it.” He grinned. “He’s a stud. That’s why Merc—”
A knock sounded on the door. We both froze, seeing Mercedes standing there.
“Can I come in?” she asked, dropping her hand away from the frame.
I sank down in my chair, wondering if there were a security camera in the dressing room.
“Absolutely, my darling. You’re always welcome.” Jeremy’s expression warm, he swept his gaze over her. “You look lovely in that dark suit, but you could be lovelier. Did you stop by for some J-magic?”
“Who doesn’t need your magic?” She gave him a smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I could redo your eyeshadow,” Jeremy said. “Make it smokier when I’m finished with Electra.”
“That would be wonderful.” She came into the room and pressed a kiss to her best friend’s cheek. Glancing at me in the mirror, she nodded. “You look great tonight, Electra.”
“Thanks.”
“Can I talk to you a moment?” she asked, and my stomach pitched when she added. “Privately?”
Uh-oh. I gave her a tight nod. “Sure, I guess.”
“I’m all done,” Jeremy said. Capping the lipstick that he’d used, he eyed Mercedes. “Just come get me when you’re done.” He leaned in and gave her air kisses on both cheeks before leaving.
“Can we talk while I stretch?” I asked. Hearing the music for Ally’s next number, I knew I didn’t have much time. Plus, I wanted to be doing something. If Jeremy was wrong and Mercedes was mad at me, this could get very uncomfortable quick.
“Sure. Does your back still bother you?” Her dark auburn brows drew together.
“Only when I skip stretching or overdo it.”
“Then by all means, continue.”
She took a seat in the chair I’d abandoned while I leaned to the side, beginning my stretching. Spinning the chair around, she watched me for a moment.
“I wanted to touch base with you about something.”
“Okay.” I held my arm over my head, realizing something surprising. Mercedes was just as nervous as me.
“About Champion Valentine.” She swallowed, tugged down the hem of her jacket, and twisted the sapphire cocktail ring she always wore. “We were together for a while, non-romantically, and—”
“I know about your arrangement.” I cut her off. I didn’t want to hear specifics about her and Champion. In fact, just thinking about him with her made my stomach churn. “We met by accident in Saint Croix. We didn’t plan for it to happen. I ended it. But then he—”
“He told me he met someone there,” she said, interrupting me. Maybe she didn’t want to hear specifics either. “He came by my office yesterday, then again this evening.”
“Oh.” My lips rounded. I knew about the previous visit when he’d broken it off, but not about today. I stopped stretching, realizing that he hadn’t gone home after dropping us off like I’d assumed.
“He said it’s serious between you and him.” Her green gaze drifted over my features, watching for my reaction, but I pasted on a neutral expression.
“We haven’t really had time to discuss it.”
Apparently, Champion and I continuing what we started meant more than I thought. It also seemed he thought it meant he could talk to my boss about us without asking me first.
“It’s new and intense. A whirlwind romance.” Her expression softened. “I had one of those once.” She pulled in a shaky breath and exhaled it. Her gaze sharpened. “He mentioned not wanting you to strip anymore.”
“He brought that up today.” I wrinkled my nose. “I didn’t agree. He had no right to talk to you about it without my permission.”
“Be that as it may, if it comes to that point, I think I might have a solution.” She tapped once on the arm of her chair. “I could change your position to choreographer. It wouldn’t pay as well as dancing, but it would come with the same benefit package. Plus, I could give you an extra stipend while you train someone else to take your place.”
The knot of trepidation in my chest loosened. “I love doing choreography.”
