"A Chorus Line?" He glances at the cover. "Good choice for the three of you. You have a talent for knowing what fits. You fit well with theater."
"It was Angie's suggestion. She's familiar with it because she was in the show. But she played Diana."
"So what part'll you sing?"
"I'll do Sheila, Angie will do Bebe, and Mandy can sing the Maggie part. It's the best fit for our vocals and harmonies."
Henderson nods. "See? You called it. Trust your instincts."
My instincts are to throw my arms around him and kiss him senseless.
Nope, not gonna trust my instincts.
"Well, I'd better go back out there." I gesture toward the cabaret room.
Henderson looks at me for a beat before nodding. He doesn't move from in front of me, and I don't know how to step around him without being rude.
He clears his throat. "I'm sorry Tabitha. Sorry I bungled this all up."
I close my eyes, not wanting to have this discussion—or any discussion—with him. Having it will only hurt me more.
"Well, you did and you ruined it. You weren't willing to take a chance with me, and you lost out. I'll be okay. This cat always lands on her feet."
I step around him and back out to my friends.
I may talk a good game, but my heart breaks a little more as I walk away. Why do I have to want the one thing in life I can't have?
As soon as I make it back out to Angie and Mandy, though, I feel better. I've got friends and a song to perform.
What else do I need?
We study the music, hunched over our table and not really listening to the other performers. I should be paying more attention, but I'm afraid I'm going to get up there and make a fool of myself.
This isn't like that karaoke night when I was three sheets to the wind.
I could use a drink. Or several.
Josh looks over at us, raising an eyebrow. I wave the book and nod.
"Okay, folks, for our last song of the night, we have a very special act. Our very own Tabby Stetson will be singing, along with her fellow Sassy Cats, Mandy Calhoun and Angie Aliberti. Please give them a warm welcome."
We weave through the crowded tables, waving and shaking hands with people. Once at the microphone I say, "Okay, so we've never practiced this song, together or apart. But chances like this come around once in a lifetime, so we're going to take it. I'm just so thrilled that these lovely ladies are here with me tonight."
I know, even before the crowd is on its feet applauding six minutes later, that I need to be doing this. I need to find a way to balance Paisley and myself. Because this is me.
And I need to honor that.
I spy Henderson in the back, his hands down by his side, watching me closely. He's not one to wear his emotions—other than annoyance—on his sleeve. Since he's not rolling his eyes, I'd say he is not annoyed.
I am, though.
I'm annoyed he let me go. I'm annoyed that he wasn't willing to try—to fight—for what was between us.
Still, at the end of this, I know that I did something for myself. I opened myself up in a way I didn't think possible. Now, I just need to find someone who appreciates me.
Someone who's willing to go out on a limb for me.
I look around this room, so full of love and energy. Damn, I wish that someone was right here at The Edison.
