Page 68 of Kissing the Debutant
“Don’t you academy snobs have morning classes?” He jogged toward the student parking lot and fished out his keys.
“Yes, some of us just decide to skip them. Can I hang up now? I was having a delicious dream about Charlie Hunnam.”
“I won’t pretend to know who that is, but I need your help.”
“Always.” She sighed, and there was a rustling sound like she was moving around in bed. “What can I do for you today, Jack? If it’s illegal, you’re more likely to get me out of bed.”
“Not illegal.”
“That’s a shame.”
“I need to see Lillian.”
There was a beat of silence. “Well, that’s not going to be possible.”
“Please, Wylder. I know she might not want to talk to me, but—”
“Oh, she definitely wants to talk to you. The problem is she’s already left for New York.”
“New York?” His eyes widened as he yanked open his car door. “The competition?” She was doing it. He’d hoped to convince her, but there was no need. His girl had decided all on her own.
No, not his girl.
Not yet.
“Thanks, Wylder.” He hung up and threw his phone on the passenger seat.
He knew exactly what he needed to do.
24
Lillian
Lillian sat on the rough carpet of the Performing Arts Center amid the other dancers preparing for the singles competition.
“The accommodations here are sub-par.” Lillian’s mother stared down her nose at the other dancers doing their warmup stretches.
“It’s not sub-par, mother. It’s normal.” Lillian folded her ballet slippers in half, stretching them for the coming performance. “You’re just used to the finer things in life.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, Mom. But there’s nothing wrong with normal either.”
Lillian finished her preliminary stretches and bent to put her slippers on, lacing them around her calves.
“Lillian!” A chorus of voices called her name over the din of backstage activity.
“What on earth?” Lillian’s mother gawked at the Diva squad as they descended upon her daughter.
“Hi, girls!” Lillian stood to greet them, feeling a little awkward at seeing the girls in person—and surprised by how happy she was to see them again. “You didn’t have to come to my performance.”
“Oh, shush.” Layne leaned in to hug her. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’m sure you guys are busy with your own performances.” Lillian hugged Rose and Jenna.
“Not too busy to come support each other,” Rose said, straightening her costume for her performance later.
“I just wanted to come tell you to break a leg,” Jenna said, squeezing her hand. “I have to run, but you’ve got this. Divas always win.” She winked as she headed off to her own event.
