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“Yes. Just tired.” Touching her temple, she added, “This is one play I never should have auditioned for.” She laughed softly. “A director I’ve never worked with makes us go through each scene again and again. Some of the dancers can barely stand at the end of the day.”
“But...you’re the lead. That means you perform more through the whole show.” Nina nodded. “Then you’re even more exhausted.”
“I’m okay. Ibuprofen, sleep, and I’ll be fine. Promise.”
Rowan didn’t look convinced. “Maybe you should get two massages. You barely ate a thing. Nina...”
“You worry too much.” She held her gaze intently and Rowan nodded.
Owen extended his hand. “Allow me to see you home.”
She took it and squeezed softly. “I appreciate that, Owen. It’s kind of you but...I need to lie down. I’ll take a cab.”
“Absolutely not,” Bennett said from across the table. “Our driver will take you home. I mustinsist, Nina.”
“Thank you for a lovely evening. I needed the break.” Leaning forward, she pressed her cheek to Rowan’s and murmured, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Straightening, she walked rapidly for the exit and got in the Jefferson’s limo without looking back.
At her building, she accepted assistance from the driver to the street. Swaying on her feet, she managed to get the outer door unlocked.
In the lobby, she felt dizzy and strange. Holding the rail, she climbed the first flight of stairs with flashes in front of her eyes. She was half a dozen steps from the top when the world seemed to tilt crazily.
Nina lost her footing, lost her hold on the railing, and tumbled backward down the stairs.
Chapter Twelve
Flashing lights, voices through a radio, and several unfamiliar voices were what greeted Nina when she opened her eyes.
“Ma’am, can you hear us?”
“Yes. I fell down the stairs.” She met the eyes of a fire rescue worker leaning over her.
“Have you been drinking?”
“No. I may be dehydrated. I got dizzy and my equilibrium gave out. I’ve been eating poorly.”
“Do you have an eating disorder?”
“Just stress that’s made my appetite non-existent recently. I’ll be fine. Can you help me up?”
“We need to take you to thehospital, ma’am.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m alright. A few bruises and nothing more. No broken bones or concussion…”
“How do you know?” he asked with a frown.
“I’ve had them before. Thank you for your help.” She met his eyes and said firmly, “Help meup.” He shared a look with his partner and they took her arms. When she was on her feet, she asked, “Who called you?”
“Your downstairs neighbor heard you fall.”
Glancing around, she met the eyes of the elderly woman who ran the bodega. “Thank you, Mrs. Cortena. I’m okay.”
“You need toeat, Nina. Too thin. Too thin!”
“I’ll do better.”
“I’ll bring you a plate.”
