Change in Harmony (A Silver Script Novel Book 4) (10 page)

She played through a few of the songs while dancing and counting to herself, lost to everything around her. Nate sat in the corner to stay out of the way. As she danced, he ran the commercial through his head, trying to imagine how it would look with the songs she’d gone through.

“What do you think?” Allison stood with a hand on her hip. A lock of hair fell into her face, and she pushed it back.

“I like the second one best. The third ballad was beautiful, and it tells the story of the uprising, but I think it might be a bit depressing for the commercial. We want people to buy the shoes, not curl up and cry for the past.”

Allison nodded. “I agree. Although, I kinda like that song more. Maybe we could find a way to mix it. You’re doing different eras, right?”

“Yes, but we only have about thirty seconds for the whole thing. Unless we were to rent a Times Square space or something, but that’s a good million dollars right there. It’d take up most of his budget.” Nate tapped the floor, running numbers through his head. “Maybe it’ll work, though.”

Allison stretched, her arm arched over her head as she leaned to one side. “What are you thinking?”

“I think if we make a longer ad, we can use that on Times Square and then use a smaller cut of it for the rest of the stations. It’s going to take some major schmoozing to make that work. Good thing I know people. And by people, I mean my boss knows people.” Nate was pretty sure he could talk David and Debra into helping him get a spot. David could walk into pretty much any store in New York and ask for whatever he wanted, and Debra knew other connections in the industry.

“Okay, I need to get going, but I can work on the dance over the next couple of days. How long do we have?” Allison leaned down and touched the ground.

Nate’s legs hurt just watching her. “Until Friday. I can put it off if you need me to change it.”

“That should be fine. I have the next couple of days off, because Eddie has some karaoke contest thing going on.” Allison changed her shoes and slid the bag over her shoulder.

“Oh, does that mean you don’t work tonight?” Nate took her hand as they walked out of the room, making sure the light was off as they went.

Allison shook her head. “I got the call just before I came here. It’s a good thing, though. My cough still hasn’t completely gone away and singing just makes it worse.”

Guilt tugged at Nate. He was pretty sure she’d gotten sick because of their day touring the city. “I can take you home then. Should we grab some food on the way?”

“My guess is Sam already ordered Chinese food. It’s our thing on Tuesday nights. You’re welcome to join us.” Allison flagged down a cab. “I hope you don’t mind. I just want to get home.”

“A cab is great.” He opened the door for her. “We need to get you better.”

Allison laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m getting there. Just slower than I’d like.”

Nate caressed her fingers, careful to avoid the bruises. He still couldn’t believe she’d punched the guy. Not that Darren hadn’t deserved it. Nate had been seconds away from doing the same thing.

Sam had the containers of Chinese all set out when Allison and Nate got up to the apartment. When she saw Nate, she turned and grabbed another plate without saying anything. Allison set her stuff on the floor next to the couch and dropped into a chair.

“Rough day?” Sam glanced between them and shoved a spoon into the rice.

“It was pretty good, actually. I’m just exhausted. Oh, you got cashew chicken.” Allison dumped some onto her plate.

Nate chuckled and sat next to her. “I take it you like it?”

“Not usually, but this place makes it taste amazing.” Allison handed him the carton and moved on to the chow mein. “How was work?”

“Boring, as usual. How’d class go?” Sam took a bite of her egg roll.

A snicker escaped as Nate grabbed some noodles. “I’d say it could have gone better.”

Allison grinned mischievously. “You’re probably right. Even if he did deserve it.”

“Oh, come on. Spill.” Sam threw a wadded-up napkin at Allison.

Allison told Sam what had happened, and Nate joined in, adding details where Allison skipped over them.

“I’ve been wanting to do that myself. I wish I’d been there.” Sam tossed a fortune cookie to Allison and kept one for herself. “Sorry, Nate. I didn’t know you were coming or I would have gotten you one.”

“That’s okay. I’ll survive. This time.” Nate took a bite of his noodles. The flavor was just perfect with the sauces and vegetables. “Okay, I have to know. Where do you get your Chinese?”

“Place a block away from here. It’s on my way home from work.” Sam broke her cookie and made a face. “Hate it when they just put a saying in there. Waste of a cookie.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t mind not getting one. Mine always seem to be quotes.” Nate dished more of the noodles onto his plate. Once he was done, he stood and took his plate to the sink. “I’d love to stay and hang out, but I have a commercial to plan.”

Allison stood and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you for coming by tonight. I don’t know how things would have gone otherwise.”

Nate kissed her. “It looked like you had things under control, but you’re welcome.”

Allison tapped her foot to the beat in her head as she watched the city buildings pass by. The commercial shoot was that day and nerves were getting to her. Nate had tried to find someone else to do the dance so she wouldn’t have to, but there wasn’t time for anyone else to learn it. He’d promised not to focus on her face at all, but it wasn’t her face she worried about. The dance was new, and while she could have done it in her sleep, she was still nervous.

She straightened the green-and-gold dress Nate’s coworker had picked out for her. It was much different from the ball gowns she was used to dancing in, but this was traditional for Irish dance, and she wanted to make sure everything was perfect.

The cab pulled up to the Hunger Memorial, and her nerves rose to a whole new level. She paid the driver and went to find Nate before she could change her mind. Video cameras were everywhere, and Allison searched for someone who knew what they were doing. Her heart lifted when she saw Nate talking to an older man. He looked up and smiled when she approached.

“Erin found the perfect outfit. You look fantastic. Mr. Byrne, this is Allison. She’ll be your dancer.”

Allison put her hand out for Mr. Byrne to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’ve heard wonderful things about your dancing.”

“Thank you.” Allison took a deep breath to calm down. “Where do I go now?”

Nate gestured toward a table to the side. “Makeup first. We’re going to do some recording before you come in.”

“Oh, okay.” Makeup? Maybe she shouldn’t have spent an hour doing it herself. She sat at the table and two women crowded around her, poking and prodding at the braid she’d twisted around her head, and then moved on to the makeup.

Allison sat in a chair next to Nate and the director. They watched as the actors moved through the set, going through the sequence several times until the director decided it was perfect.

“Dancer! Where’s the dancer?” the director belted out.

“Oh, that’s me.” Allison stood and laid her jacket on her chair. She stood where Nate told her to, and took a deep breath.

Nate stood and lifted her chin so she would look into his eyes. “Listen, I’ve seen you do this dance a million times. I know you can do it. Now, go through the motions and when he yells “cut,” go two more beats, just to make sure we can transition to the next place. Got it?”

“Got it.” Allison took a deep breath and waited for the director to yell “Action!” It was a little unnerving to dance without the music, but she kept count in her head as she moved about the set just as she’d rehearsed over and over for the last few days. When she finished, there was a stunned silence before the crew and director clapped.

“That was beautiful. Now, do it again so we can do it from a different angle.” The director leaned forward in his chair and called “Action!” again once Allison was set up.

By the time they were ready to move to the next location, Allison was exhausted. Seeing the pleased expression on Mr. Byrne’s face kept her pushing through the fatigue.

Allison dropped onto her couch and groaned. “Remind me to say no the next time I’m asked to do this, please.”

Sam grabbed a blanket and pillow and threw them at Allison. “You know you love it. I still can’t believe he’s using you.”

“There wasn’t much choice. His other dancers were awful.” Allison rearranged her blankets and pillow.

“Where is he, anyway?” Sam sat next to Allison’s feet and handed her a small carton of ice cream.

Allison pulled off the lid and dug into the rocky road. “Editing the clips. They have to make sure they have enough footage. Otherwise, we have to do it again tomorrow.”

“Joy. Guess you don’t want to go to a movie with Eddie and me, then?” Sam rested her feet on the coffee table.

“No, thanks. If he’s done in time, we’re going to have dinner over here.” Allison still needed to figure out what to make and grab the ingredients. Tomorrow. Tonight, she wasn’t going to move.

Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She opened one eye, but didn’t budge. The only one who would text this late was Nate, but she couldn’t bring herself to pick it up.

“I suppose you want me to get that for you?” Sam shifted and dropped the phone on Allison’s lap.

“Thanks.” Allison fumbled with her phone and checked the message.

Perfect.
We’ll have to redo a different part, but yours is good. Sleep well. Looking forward to our date.

Me too. See you then! Good night.

“Hallelujah.” Allison rolled onto her side. “I’m free.”

Sam laughed. “I take it the shoot looks good?”

“Yep. Now, what’s on TV? I’m ready for a good chick flick.”

Allison dropped her bags inside the door and stood on the opposite end of the room from Darren. Hopefully her professor would get the hint and pair her with someone else.

Unfortunately, her mental pleading had done nothing, because they were stuck together for the fox trot. Maybe she should have told her professor that the purple-and-yellow bruising around Darren’s nose was from her.

“Allison.” Darren stood next to her. His voice had a nasal quality to it that hadn’t been there before.

“Darren.” Allison bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. Guilt flooded over her from finding the whole thing funny, but she pushed it away. He’d deserved it.

The music started, and while they went through the motions, Allison’s heart wasn’t in it. She kept going back to the evening before when Nate had kissed her goodbye. The way the light made his eyes sparkle as he leaned in was intoxicating. She jerked back to the present when she missed a step and stumbled into another couple.

“Sorry! Sorry,” she muttered and went back to the dance.

Darren spun Allison and she moved off to another partner. Craig’s movements weren’t quite as sure as Darren’s, but at least his smile was sincere.

By the time class ended, Allison’s nerves were shot. Darren had taken every chance he got to insult her—quietly, but effectively. As soon as the bell rang, she grabbed her bag and jacket and ran out of the room.  Hopefully, the students she would be tutoring would help her calm down a little.

Except that it was nearing finals and no one but Leah was ready for their piece. Every missed note or beat grated on her until she found herself snapping at Leah for no reason except that she was a minute late.

Leah flinched. “I—I’m sorry. My professor held me after class.”

Allison rubbed her forehead and took a deep breath to calm down. “No, Leah. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled. It’s not your fault. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Leah set her stuff down and stood in the middle of the room. When she nodded, Allison started the music.

Leah sang a ballad, and the melody rolled over Allison, taking her stress along with it. She closed her eyes, taking in the notes and the words. She flinched a couple of times when Leah went flat, but it was perfect otherwise. As the last note faded, Allison opened her eyes and smiled.

“That was amazing. Let’s work on the chorus a couple more times and I think you’ll be ready.”

Leah grinned. “You think so?”

“Of course.” Allison started the music and forwarded it to the right spot. “Let’s do it again.”

Leah went through the chorus, then listened to Allison’s tips during the time it took to got back to the right spot on the CD again. By the end of the hour, Leah had it down. She picked up her bag to leave and turned back. “Oh, I should be getting the results back from my audition this weekend.”

“That’s great. Text me as soon as you hear.” Allison grabbed her bag and followed Leah out of the room.  She had just enough time to get to the diner where she’d agreed to meet Nate. He’d suggested going out instead of cooking at the apartment, and she was more than happy to change plans.

The sun beat down on her as she walked to the subway, so she pulled off her jacket and tied it around her waist. It was warm enough that she decided to walk to the diner since it was halfway between his work and the university. The sidewalks were packed, but she still made better time than she would have if she’d had to try to catch the subway.

The bell rang as she opened the door to the diner, and she looked around to find Nate. She couldn’t wait to talk to him about everything that had happened that day.

Her heart stopped when she spotted him in the back, kissing a short blonde girl. Not the one she’d seen him with at the bar, which made it worse. He pulled away from her and met Allison’s eyes just as she pushed the door back open.

Allison ignored him calling her name as she shoved her way through the crowds to run from the diner. How stupid could she have been? He’d dated that girl, and then there was the Katie on the phone—was that her in the diner? Who cared? And now Allison was just one more on his long list of girls. She wiped a tear and went straight back to her apartment. She still had a few hours until she had to get to work, so a long nap sounded good about then.

Sam was gone when Allison walked into the apartment. Perfect. She just wanted silence. She dropped on her bed and stared at the ceiling, trying to get her mind to focus on something else. But how could she forget something like that?

She rolled over and bumped the desk. The picture frame with a photo of her mom tipped and fell. She picked it up and stared at the woman she’d fought so many times. They were too much alike. Her mom said that included their bad taste in men, but she was wrong. Dad was a good man. She just forgot that after a while.

It had been months since she’d seen them. Maybe she should go home and check on them. But then she’d have to explain to them what she did for work, and that wasn’t something she wanted to deal with. Besides, that would take money.