My phone buzzed.
I almost ignored it. The last thing I wanted to do right now wastalkto anyone, much less deal with work. But when I saw Nathan’s name on the screen, I sighed and accepted the call.
“What?” My voice came out sharper than intended, and I instantly regretted answering.
“Elise?” Nathan’s tone was impatient, clipped. “How much longer until you're back in the office?”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course. Work. My actual job. “I—” My voice wobbled, and I hated it. “I’ll be there soon.”
There was a beat of silence. “Elise?” His tone shifted, losing its edge. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me, quickly wiping at my cheeks. “I’m fine,” I lied.
“Try again.” This time, his voice is lower, gentler. “What happened?”
I let out a shaky breath. “I’m at an audition,” I admitted. “Zane Calloway is the choreographer. You impress him; you get the chance to dance for Titan on tour.”
Nathan was quiet for a moment. “And?”
“And I completely screwed up,” I whispered. “I missed a step, panicked, and ugh, I justknowthey dismissed me. They were nice about it, but it was obvious. It was stupid of me to even try.”
“It wasn’t stupid, Elise.”
I bit my lip. “Itfeelsstupid.”
“You took a shot at something you love. That’s not stupid, that’s brave.” His tone was firm, like it’s a fact and not upfor debate.“One bad audition doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.”
I don’t know why, but his words, simple as they were, made my throat tighten.
“What if they already wrote me off?” I wondered, the frustration and disappointment cracking my voice.
“Go back in there and show them that would be the biggest mistake of their life.”
I sniffed. “You’ve never even seen me dance before.”
There was a pause over the line before he spoke. “I’ve seen your work with Rhodium. Besides, I don’t need to have seen you dance to know you have what it takes. I know you. And if anyone has the guts to keep going, it’s you.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but something in his voice made me hesitate. He believed in me.
I looked down at my hands, my fingers trembling slightly. They ached from holding onto my doubts for so long. My head had been telling me for years that I should give up, that I wasn’t cut out for this, this life of constant rejection and second chances. But here Nathan was, acting like one bad audition didn't define everything I’ve worked for.
I sat there, letting the silence stretch between us. The world felt quieter somehow, like the noise of self-doubt and fear had momentarily faded.
Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope.
I took a deep breath, feeling warm and fuzzy because of a reason I wasn’t ready to face yet. “Okay,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I’ll go back in there. Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it,” he muttered, but there was a teasing note in his voice and a second later it went back to business. “I still expect you to be back at the office as soon as you’re done.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.“Yes,sir.”
I ended the call, and when I looked at myself in the mirror again, my face was doing this weird thing it never did after speaking with Nathan.
I was smiling.
* * *
“HERE’S TO YOUnot taking no for an answer!” Kelsey raised her wine-filled glass in the air.
