"Okay, I'm in," I say.
Kori smiles. Gloria tilts her head slightly. "For what part?"
"Yes. All of it. Whatever you've got for me, I'm game to try. I might not be the best, but I'll give it my best."
Gloria's smile is easy and wide. She pulls me into a hug. "This is gonna be great. I'm finally gonna have someone to hang out with besides Grayson or his mom."
"Don't forget Henderson. He's a ball of fun," Kori says dryly.
"He's not, but Tabitha Stetson is. As soon as details on Josh's show are hammered out, the three of us are hanging out." Gloria nods at me.
"She did promise me a spa day for my badassery duringShowman," I remember. "Maybe the three of us need to schedule one."
"Now I feel bad that you're leaving me out." Kori pretends to pout.
Gloria waves her off. "You're leaving us for Hollywood. Just remember where you got your start when you're working with Kenny Ortega on the next season ofJulie and the Phantoms.”
"Okay, but before I can go do that, and please God, let Kenny hire me, I've got to get this done for Josh. That's why I came in here. I mean, I needed to talk to you about the studio too, but we're on a time crunch with the Josh thing."
The Josh thing. My stomach does a small flip. I nod, not trusting myself not to blurt out something stupid. Kori pulls out some folded papers that look like they've got hieroglyphics all over them.
"Josh is on the verge of something big here, and this number is the crux of it all. He wants to take the drumbeat of a Polynesian song and layer a piano ballad over it. Of course, he's gonna add in violins and crap like that too, but what he needs is a dancer who can portray both sides. Two different people, all in one. Like a person at war with herself, trying to discover who she really is. I'm a little at a loss on what to do with this. I don't know that style of dance, and I don't have the time to research it."
My mouth goes dry. This is it. This is my chance to make it up to Josh. To prove to him that I'll come through this time and not leave him hanging. "Let me do it! I can choreograph it! I can teach it to whoever you want. I won't let you down."
I won't let Josh down.
Kori smiles. "Who do you want to teach it to? Do you know anyone in the company with both ballet and Polynesian dance experience? Again, we've got like no time."
My heart lifts. He wrote this for me, and I'm going to deliver it to him.
Gloria squeals and claps her hands. "Leslie, she means you."
I turn to look at Gloria because it was pretty clear what Kori meant. "Thanks for that, Captain Obvious." I wink. "Okay, I'm in, but one thing. Josh kind of hates me right now. Is he gonna get pissed if I turn up in this number?"
"Josh doesn't hate anyone. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body." Kori laughs. "He's like, too nice."
"Well, he hates me." Despite that, he's still nice, trying to shield me from the well-intentioned, yet still harsh, words from my mom. "I sort of broke his heart—and his trust—twice." I wince as I say it, the ugly truth shameful.
"Wait, what?" Kori pulls up a chair and sits down. I swear if she had a tub of popcorn she'd start eating it.
I roll my eyes. "Long story short because we don't have any time to spare. Josh and I were … together when we were sixteen and at summer camp. I ghosted him afterward because I was a mess with ballet and my mindset and an eating disorder and everything. I couldn't handle a relationship. However, his parents died in an accident right at that time, so my ghosting was like a double betrayal. Fast forward ten years and we're here together. He doesn't want to like me, but what made us friends to begin with is still there. One thing led to another …" I shrug. "You know how it is. But I told him I'm still trying to figure my shit out, because it's the truth, and I need time. I didn't necessarily mean I didn't want to be with him, but I just didn't want to be public about it. That adds a layer of stress. Especially because I slept with Max once, and he told everyone in the company and implied that I was using it to get ahead, and I don't want people to think I'm doing that with Josh because I would never do that to Josh …" I’m rambling, speaking about a mile a minute.
Kori holds up her hands, motioning for me to stop. "Wait, you and Max hooked up too?"
I shake my head. "We did, like years ago when we were in Five Boroughs together. It was a one-night, quick—and I meanquick—wham, bam, thank you, ma'am. But then the douche told everyone the next day like it was his mission to sleep his way through the company, and now he could cross me off the list. But he also made people think that I was trading sexual favors for a chance at advancement."
Gloria practically growls. "I hate guys like that." I know enough of her history to know she has a reason behind that sentiment.
"Honestly, it doesn't bother me anymore. I've got so many other things that are more worthy of my energy. There will always be Maxes in the world. You know, the people who think they're God's gift—and maybe their talent is—but their ability to be a decent human being, not to mention a decent lay, is sorely lacking." And with that, I dissolve into a fit of giggles. Kori and Gloria soon join me.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I finish with, "But I've left Josh high and dry twice now, both at pivotal moments in his life. First when his parents died, and now with this show. He still hasn't even told me about it. But even if he doesn't want me back, I want to help him. To show him that he matters to me, and that he's worth it. That I can think about someone other than myself." I nod, punctuating the last statement. "So let's get to work here."
Chapter 34: Josh
This is it, my moment of truth. Kori and I spent all day yesterday hammering out the style and choreography. I think she was probably up all night teaching it to Jasmine and Marcelina. Now the moment is here. It's time to show "Purple Dawn'' and "Look at Me" to Tabitha. Henderson's flittering about like a nervous aunt. I don't blame him. Tabitha's relaxed and casual, as she usually is. The two of them are like night and day.
He put it all on the line for me and this show. Well, also for Tabitha and his relationship with her. By presenting this show, Tabitha is stepping into a new role as executive producer and director. And while I know she agreed to produce—and fund—my show sight unseen, I need her to know what she's getting into before I accept a dime.
