Page 64 of Lovers' Dance

“Nathan, you’re a snob. Get over yourself,” Matt hissed as the reception area came into view. He fixed a polite smile on his face and walked up to Gloria’s desk. She nervously patted her hair, straightening in her seat behind the desk as he asked if there was somewhere, besides the office, he could have privacy.

Dante’s girlfriend exited a door set off the reception area. She paused when seeing Matt and Nathan there, then with a marked sway to her hips, waltzed over to the desk. Matt flashed her a neutral smile and put a bit of distance between them.

“I can’t believe you’re going out with Madi,” she said.

Gloria narrowed her eyes in dislike and got off her chair.

Matt had no desire to be drawn into a conversation with this stranger about his relationship, so he widened his smile and averted his gaze. Plus, Madi didn’t seem to like this woman for whatever reason.

“Mr Bradley, if you’ll follow me,” Gloria said, regarding him with awe.

Matt and Nathan waited for her to walk past them and began to follow her back down the hallway. The Christine woman trailed behind them until Gloria noticed and barked, “Christine, can you watch the doors? I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“I don’t work here,” she replied nastily.

Gloria jerked to a stop, spinning around to regard Christine with barely hidden revulsion between Matt and Nathan’s shoulders.

“Why are you here anyway? Dante told you he’ll be in the studio for the rest of the day. You can’t hang around here. Don’t you have work?”

Matt tried to contain his irritation at this holdup, and not so subtly cleared his throat. He had to remind himself this was not one of his corporate offices. They obviously ran things differently here.

“I’m a model. We work irregular hours,” Christine spat from behind Matt’s back.

Gloria smirked before saying, “We’re closed today, Christine. All classes have been cancelled, and you know when the others get here, they’ll be working on the choreography with Dante and Madi. Go home.”

Matt and Nathan peered over their shoulders at Christine. She didn’t look happy. When she noticed their bland observation, her face reverted to a pleasant mask. Matt cleared his throat and Nathan grinned, knowing how impatient his friend was.

“Tell Dante to call me.” Christine huffed, turning on her heels and stalking away.

Matt couldn’t be certain, but he thought he heard Gloria mutter “witch” under her breath.

“Sorry about that, Mr Bradley. You can use this room if you don’t mind waiting for me to bring you chairs.”

The door she opened led onto a medium-sized room with mirrored walls and abarrerunning along the length of the room.

“It’s one of the rooms we use for the younger kids,” she explained unnecessarily.

“The rooms in the back of the building are larger and we have the auditorium section where the shows are held. It’s great working here. I’m not just the receptionist, I’m a dance instructor. I used to be in the corps, but I was in an accident last year and injured the bones in my leg, so no more stage for me.” Gloria smiled brightly at the two silent men. “Madi offered me the instructor position for toddlers and I thought, if I couldn’t perform anymore, at least I could teach. Madi’s great, her and Dante are amazing together. It’s amazing what they’re doing here, starting their own dance company. Not many people could do that. Sorry, I’m babbling. I’ll go get those chairs.”

Her face was pink as she fled the room, leaving a grinning Matt and Nathan behind. Matt felt his interest growing. He knew about the dance company, thanks to Nathan’s background check, but hearing first-hand from someone who worked here was different. Madi spoke of her work, but not in intricate detail, and a large portion of their time together was spent on other activities which didn’t require the use of words. Matt wanted to learn more. He suspected Madi was shy when it came to discussing her career with him, had the niggling impression she thought he wouldn’t understand nor was he interested in knowing more. But he did, he wanted to know everything about his poppet.

“You look like you’re thinking hard,” Nathan drawled.

“Do I?” Matt hedged.

“Yes, you do. Hopefully, this current media attention will die a quick death. If I were in your shoes, I’d be more worried about dealing with your family,” Nathan replied.

Matt’s response had to wait as Gloria returned at that moment with a folded chair under each arm.

“Here you go. Would either of you like something to drink?”

“No, thank you.” Matt smiled at the woman.

“Let me know if you need anything. I’m right out front.”

Nathan gave a polite incline of his head and she scurried away, casting curious glances over her shoulder as she left.

They spent the next half an hour running through the brief statement, then Nathan went to speak to the press while Matt paced back and forth in the reception area.

---