Page 49 of Wicked Dance
Chapter 15
Bennett isn’t on the plane that takes us to LA that afternoon. Blitz hasn’t talked to him about the show, but it doesn’t matter anyway. We’re committed to this course.
I get to meet his assistant Shelly the moment we land. She’s waiting on the tarmac with Duke and a different car, an enormous black SUV.
She’s very tiny, not even five feet tall, and extremely petite with bright pink hair cut short around her pixie-like face. She wears jeans and a black tank top that says “Bite me.” A dozen gold hoops line one of her earlobes.
She isn’t what I expected at all.
“I have three properties for you to visit for a rental,” she says, “but I don’t see any time in your schedule to go look. Rehearsals start at eight in the morning and you will literally have no time to do anything, as the first show will be shot in three weeks.”
Duke waves at us, making a “talkie talkie” motion with his hands as he follows Shelly with our bags. And it’s true. Shelly doesn’t so much as take a breath as we load into the SUV.
“We’re going to keep you as quiet as possible,” Shelly says as we sit down. She gets in the front next to Duke and twists around. “That’s why we got this car. Duke isn’t to take out your Jag unless it’s an official event. I’m taking your request seriously to blow off Hannah and avoid any unnecessary publicity.”
Blitz is about to say something, but she charges on.
“Since you didn’t want to go to your condo, I made reservations at the Ritz. They know you are coming and that your privacy is of utmost concern. They have you keyed in for the rear entrance and a secure floor. We couldn’t get any presidential suites because, well, this is Hollywood, but it’s a nice big room. I hope to get you in a rental by the weekend. Maybe I can pick one if you don’t get a chance to look.”
“Shelly! Stop!” Blitz says. “Hello! I want you to meet Livia.”
“Hello, Livia,” Shelly says. “I already know your dress size and shoe size. I have a ballet instructor lined up for you. We all assumed you would continue your studies. Let us know if that changes. The choreographer wants to meet with you first thing and the two of you will need to dance for everyone so we can fit your style into the show.”
Blitz shakes his head. “What Shelly is trying to say is ‘Hello, nice to meet you too.’”
Shelly waves off his comment. “She’ll get used to me.” She flips through screens on her phone and goes on.
“Hannah is not pleased to have me as a go-between, but I told her to suck it. Here was her response.” She holds up her phone, where a message has been zoomed in on. It reads “You. Are. Unprofessional.”
She turns the phone back to look at it herself. “I took that as a compliment, coming from her.” She sighs. “Any questions?”
Blitz and I look at each other and laugh. “I think you’ve covered it.”
“Oh, meals,” Shelly says. “Your chef got here yesterday and will prepare everything for both of you to eat while on the set each day. He said, and I quote, ‘Do not let him go to McDonald’s.’”
Blitz leans forward in his seat. “Duke, you know what that means.”
“I’m on it,” Duke says. He turns on his signal.
“Are you heading to McDonald’s?” Shelly asks, her voice exasperated.
“Of course he is,” Blitz says. “Livia, quarter pounder or double Mac?”
I giggle. “You know I won’t eat that stuff.”
“And you were so close to being the perfect girl,” he says, lifting my hand to kiss my fingers.
“Enjoy your last night of freedom,” Shelly says. “Because starting tomorrow, you are owned byDance Blitz.”
“Just for five episodes,” Blitz says.
“It’s going to be different,” Shelly says. “It’s already different. Those finalists are feeling their power. They are calling more shots. And they don’t listen to me as well as they did Hannah. You might want to bring her back.”
Blitz shrugs. “It doesn’t matter. I choose the winner in the end. It’s pointless for them to force my hand.”
Shelly and Duke exchange glances.
“What?” Blitz asks. “Surely nobody thinks I’m going to choose anyone but Livia.”
